Thunderbirds edge Manitoulin (Updated)

The Soo Thunderbirds are now a single win away from advancing into the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League semi-finals.

On Saturday night in Little Current, the Thunderbirds edged the Manitoulin Islanders 2-1 to take a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven quarterfinal series.

The series will now shift back to the Sault for game five on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the John Rhodes Community Centre. The game can be heard live on www.sportsjuice.com.

Ryan Maunu and Tyler Gendron scored for the Thunderbirds while Chris Towell added a pair of assists. Michael Maulucci stopped 31 of 32 shots in the win.

Curtis "Moose" Johnson replied with the lone goal for the Islanders while Billy Stone faced 33 Thunderbird shots in goal.

*** NOJHL QUARTERFINALS:

2. SOO THUNDERBIRDS vs. 7. MANITOULIN

(Soo leads series 3-1)

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 2 Mantoulin 1 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 3-1)

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 - Abitibi 4 North Bay 0 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 3-0)

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 - Northern Michigan 3 Blind River 1 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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