ROOKIES SHINE IN BIG WIN

Reykjavik, Iceland- Volcanoes weren't the only thing erupting in Iceland on Wednesday--the Timberwolves were in town.

>>>The red hot Thunder Bay Timberwolves came to the Icelandic capital with a 3-game winning streak that they weren't going to give up easily to the Puffin.

>>>Things were chippy early as Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard took exception with Puffin defenseman, Kimmo Timonen's after whistle shot on the Thunder Bay goal. Gloved punches were thrown and the combatants sat for two. Nine seconds in, and the tempo was set.

>>>Marian Gaborik put the Timberwolves up first with his fifth of the season from Marc Savard and Erik Johnson on the power play.

>>>Erik Cole evened things out to close out the first period for the Puffin.

>>>Reykjavik scored early in the second with a howitzer from Matt Greene at the point at 2:49.

>>>The Timberwolves not looking to be down for long, tying things back up forty-one seconds later off the stick of Patrick Sharp from Savard and Gaborik.

>>>Almost midway through the game, the rookies showed up for the Timberwolves. Matt Duchene (pictured) took a rare two-on-none breakaway with linemate Ales Hemsky and scored his first career CCHL goal on Michal Neuvirth at 8:21.

>>>John Tavares, having scored his first a game earlier wouldn't settle for just the one on this road trip. Tavares scored his second of the season at 11:58 from Sharp and rookie defenseman, Carl Gunnarsson. The Swedish reargard's first CCHL point.

>>>Devon Setoguchi would close out the scoring in the second for the Puffin. Making it 5-3 Timberwolves.

>>>Thunder Bay would score two more in the third from Mike Fisher and TJ Oshie to close things out with a 7-3 Timberwolves win.

>>>"Big win for the guys for sure," said Timberwolves GM, Blake Wendt after the game. "They were relentless and didn't give up much out there. I'm really happy for Matty Duchene getting his first goal and to see JT (Tavares) and Gunnarsson doing their part. We're really clicking right now, but we can't too far ahead of ourselves. We have a long plane ride and a superb opponent in two days."

>>>The Timberwolves took off immediately after Wednesday's game and will return to Thunder Bay for a little rest and clean uniforms, then get right back on the plane for Friday's game against the 4-0 Calgary Chinook.

>>>

>>>1st edition of THREE STARS

>>>

>>>* Patrick Sharp (THU) - 2 goals and an assist

>>** Marc Savard (THU) - 4 assists

>*** Marian Gaborik (THU) - 1 goal and 2 assists