WOLVES CLICKING IN PRE-SEASON

Duluth, MN- Three games into the pre-season and the Thunder Bay Timberwolves are 2-1-0 and getting contributions from throughout their lineup.

>>>"I've been pleased with the output thus far," said Timberwolves interim-head coach, Ryan McGill. "Like every team at this point before the season, we have rust to knock off and lapses out there. But we've got some chemistry on some lines that we're hopeful can push us through the season."

>>>One of those lines is to no surprise, the top line of Marc Savard, Patrick Sharp and Marian Gaborik (pictured). Who combined have 12 points through three games.

>>>Beyond that, rookie centres John Tavares and Matt Duchene seem to be deadlocked at who opens the season on the second line with Simon Gagne and Ales Hemsky.

>>>"Too early to tell," said McGill. "But regardless, they will both get their fair shots. Given what they earn. Like it's been drilled into every player that's ever played for this hockey club... nothing is given and everything is earned."

>>>Currently Duchene is second on the team in points with four (goal, 3 assists) behind Gaborik's seven. Tavares has two goals through three games. Both seem to have no hesitance in taking their shots (Tavares 15; Duchene 11) and both are plus players.

>>>The Timberwolves third line through most of this pre-season has taken somewhat of a beating. Mike Fisher, Milan Lucic and TJ Oshie are all minus players. But all three also play against the opposition's top lines.

>>>"Nothings set in stone," said McGill regarding who will open the season where. "We're very flexible at this point, and likely will be all season. Movement amongst lines will not be unusual here."

>>>The blueline appears to be ironing itself out as Opening Night nears. Captain, Keith Ballard started the pre-season with fellow University of Minnesota alum, Erik Johnson. But has since been paired with another wrecking ball, Anton Volchenkov. Johnson has been moved down to the second pairing with Douglas Murray and Nick Schultz with rookie, Carl Gunnarsson as the fifth and sixth d-men.

>>>In net it's anyones guess who will start on the 28th. Jonas Hiller lost the first game in Victora 5-4 in OT to the Ronin. Brian Elliott has had the last two starts and won both, 4-2 against the Linz Black Wings in Omaha, Nebraska and 4-1 against the Havana Moon in Duluth, Minnesota. Hiller has a 4.62 goals against average and a .844 save percentage. Elliott has a 1.50 and a .923. The edge appears in Elliott's favour, but Hiller has final two games and a team MVP in his corner.

>>>Opening Night is the Thursday at the Canadian National Gardens in Thunder Bay against the 2-time CCHL Cup Champions, North Dakota Ibex.