OVERTIME YIELDS LONG-AWAITED WIN

Sharp's four points help Wolves snap losing streak

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Thunder Bay, Ont- It's been a tough stretch for the Timberwolves since beginning the second half of the season. But a quick overtime tally from their leading scorer iced two points against the Karlstad Killers before embarking on a 5-game road trip.

>>>Patrick Sharp [pictured] opened the scoring 1:28 into the game for the Thunder Bay-native's 21st goal of the season from his centre Marc Savard and captain, Keith Ballard.

>>>Marian Gaborik, who leads the Timberwolves in points, doubled things up at 3:43 in the first period. Getting assists from Sharp and Savard, who all of the sudden had 2 points in the game early.

>>>The rest of the opening twenty minutes netted two more goals for Thunder Bay. Ales Hemsky's 21st and Mike Fisher's 22nd while with a man-advantage. But three goals from Karlstad kept things interesting.

>>>The second period's lone goal came off the stick of Timberwolves' defenseman, Keith Ballard. For the captain's 6th of the season unassisted.

>>>The third period saw Karlstad's Patrick Marleau score two goals in a matter of :15 seconds of each other to even things up. Thunder Bay could not answer and the game went to overtime.

>>>In the overtime, it was a quick ending. The first shift in extras, Slovakian sniper, Marian Gaborik took a feed from Sharp and at the 60:13 mark of the game brought home a long-awaited win for the Timberwolves.

>>>"We needed this," said Gaborik after the game. "We worked hard against a tough opponent and came out on top. Gives us something to build on for the road and to get this thing turned around. Guys did a great job out there today."

>>>The road trip begins immediately for the Timberwolves. Their next game is tomorrow at Victoria against the Ronin.

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>>>3-STARS

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>>>*Patrick Sharp (THU) - 1 goal and 3 assists

>>**Marian Gaborik (THU) - 2 goals, including game-winner in overtime

>***Patrick Marleau (KRL) - 2 goals