Thunderbirds drop one to Manitoulin

Despite being considered huge underdogs, the Manitoulin Islanders are refusing to roll over.

On Friday night in Little Current, the Islanders built a 2-0 lead then held on for a 4-3 win over the Soo Thunderbirds in game three of their best-of-seven Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League quarterfinal.

The Thunderbirds maintain a 2-1 series lead with game four scheduled for Saturday night on the Manitoulin Island.

Aaron Assinewei, Justin Shelleby and Mike McMillan scored for the Thunderbirds while Brent Henley scored a pair for the Islanders with singles going to Anthony Fey and Mike Moote.

Michael Maulucci stopped 31 of 35 shots in the loss while Billy Stone faced 38 shots for the win.

Game five is scheduled for Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre.

*** NOJHL QUARTERFINALS:

2. SOO THUNDERBIRDS vs. 7. MANITOULIN

(Soo leads series 2-1)

Game 1 - Tues. Mar. 14 - Soo 8 Manitoulin 0 Game 2 - Wed. Mar. 15 - Soo 6 Manitoulin 4 Game 3 - Fri. Mar. 17 - Manitoulin 4 Soo 3 Game 4 - Sat. Mar. 18 - Soo vs. Mantoulin Game 5 - Mon. Mar. 20 - Manitoulin vs. Soo * Game 6 - Wed. Mar. 22 - Soo vs. Manitoulin * Game 7 - Thu. Mar. 23 - Manitoulin vs. Soo

3. NORTH BAY vs. 6. ABITIBI

(North Bay leads series 3-0)

Game 1 - Tues. Mar. 14 - North Bay 3 Abitibi 1 Game 2 - Wed. Mar. 15 - North Bay 6 Abitibi 5 (4OT) Game 3 - Fri. Mar. 17 - North Bay 7 Abitibi 2 Game 4 - Sat. Mar. 18 - North Bay vs. Abitibi * Game 5 - Tues. Mar. 21 - Abitbi vs. North Bay * Game 6 - Thu. Mar. 23 - North Bay vs. Abitibi * Game 7 - Fri. Mar. 24 - Abitibi vs. North Bay

4. NORTHERN MICHIGAN vs. 5. BLIND RIVER

(Northern Michigan leads series 2-0)

Game 1 - Tues. Mar. 14 - Northern Michigan 2 Blind River 1 Game 2 - Thu. Mar. 16 - Northern Michigan 3 Blind River 2 (OT) Game 3 - Sat. Mar. 18 - Blind River vs. Northern Michigan Game 4 - Sun. Mar. 19 - Northern Michigan vs. Blind River * Game 5 - Tue. Mar. 21 - Blind River vs. Northern Michigan * Game 6 - Thu. Mar. 23 - Northern Michigan vs. Blind River * Game 7 - Fri. Mar. 24 - Blind River vs. Northern Michigan

1. SUDBURY - bye

(* = if necessary)

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