Thunder Bay Timberwolves Hockey Club

THU [ 7 ]
BEV [ 2 ]
>>>
Beverly Hills, CA- For a player with the Thunder Bay Timberwolves Hockey Club, there are four ways to have your own banner hanging in the rafters at Canadian National Gardens. Your number retired, named a league MVP, score 50 goals or 100 points.
>>>Marian Gaborik has just landed himself a banner.
>>>The Timberwolves traveled to California after coming off a monster 9-1 win against Wisborg at home. They were looking to keep things rolling against the Lawmasters of Beverly Hills.
>>>Denis Grebeshkov tried to get the home team off to a hot start by scoring his 7th of the season at 3:08 in the first.
>>>Bryan Little answered almost three minutes later by scoring his 28th as a Timberwolves rookie.
>>>At 16:36 in the first, history was made for the three year old Thunder Bay club. Marian Gaborik took a feed from Tom Preissing and Sheldon Souray to become the first 50 goal scorer for the Timberwolves. There was no stopage in play, no curtain call from the crowd. This wasn't a home game for one. But Gaborik's linemate, Patrick Sharp did quickly retrieve the puck and it was secured with the Timberwolves trainers.
>>>After taking back-to-back penalties, the Lawmasters were beginning to struggle. Less than a minute after Gaborik's power play tally, Sharp would score one of his own from TJ Oshie and Bryan Little. Closing out the opening period with the visiting Timberwolves up 3-1.
>>>"This first period was a result of the confidence we built on against the Donuts and a continuation of our focus in practise," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard.
>>>The momentum and jump of the Thunder Bay players bled over into the second period.
>>>At 4:21, Ales Hemsky finished off what was some nifty passing between Ballard and Oshie for his 13th of the season.
>>>Lawmasters' Dany Heatley would close out the scoring in the second with his 49th goal.
>>>But the Timberwolves smelled blood and the third period was all theirs.
>>>First it was Little again with his 29th on the power play. Then it was... well... it was Little again for his 30th as a frosh. Hemsky and Ballard were credited with the assists on both.
>>>The game at this point was in hand for Thunder Bay. But at 17:27, Sheldon Souray blasted a shot from the point to signify how the Timberwolves have been playing the last couple games.
>>>"It was good to see the guys still had the push from our previous game," said Timberwolves head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "Sixteen goals for in two games is hard to maintain, but as the confidence builds so will the wins. We have to maintain an even keeled mentality more than anything though and focus on the next game.
>>>The focus will be hard to maintain though. As the team will remain in southern California through the weekend and not play again until Tuesday back at home. In fact the team plane flew back to Thunder Bay with the clubs equipment and gear immediately after the game and will be back this afternoon with the player's wives, girlfriends and kids for some fun in the sun.
>>>"It's a long season with long periods of time away from family," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "It's not often that we get a gift in the schedule like this, and in a place like this. Surely we wouldn't have planned a family weekend if this break happend in Iceland."
>>>
>>>3-STARS
>>>***Jonas Hiller (THU) - 32 saves, including 18 in the 1st period for the win
>>>**Bryan Little (THU) - 3 goals (1 PP) and an assist
>>>*Marian Gaborik (THU) - Power play goal... 50th of the season!
>>>
>>>Next Game: Tuesday vs Quebec (19-40-6)