WOLVES LOOK FOR WINS / POINTS FOR PLAYOFF POSITIONING

Colby Armstrong notches first goal since joining Thunder Bay

SPACE

Thunder Bay, Ont.- The playoff-bound teams are set for the 2011 CCHL post-season. Now comes the jockeying and positioning to smooth out first round match ups in five days. For the Thunder Bay Timberwolves, that endeavour meant taking down the last place Reykjavik Puffin on Thursday.

"Ideally we'd like to get out of this sixth spot [overall ranking], knock out some wins in these last few games and position ourselves to take on lower-seeded opponents," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "We can't get any higher then fourth, and that's our goal to finish out this regular season."

Prior to the game against the Puffin, it was announced that Thunder Bay will be rotating off days for their players that eat up alot of ice time. For this contest, Henrik Lundqvist's view of the game would be from the bench. Leading scorer Marian Gaborik and alternate captain Patrick Sharp would be watching from the club's suite.

"It's important that we get these guys ready mentally and most of all physically for the postseason," said Wendt. "No one is 100% healthy at this time of year. But it can't hurt but help to get a game or two off, work out those kinks, get your mind focused and the view from upstairs gives you a different perspective of the game and should help you refine your own and be that much better."

With the absence of their top-two forwards, Marc Savard's tape-to-tape passes were received by Paul Kariya and Rick Nash.

Nash's first goal would come on the power play at just 1:46 from Steve Sullivan and Mike Fisher to make it 1-0 early.

Rookie centre, Matt Duchene made it 2-0 at 3:33 for the Haliburton-native's 16th from captain, Keith Ballard and Antti Miettinen.

Brandon Prust cut the Timberwolves lead in half at 6:55, but was answered and overcame at 14:16 from Colby Armstrong [pictured] and another power play tally 19:03 from Ales Hemsky to close out the first period's scoring at 4-1 for Thunder Bay.

The second period's lone Thunder Bay goal came off the stick of Ballard at 7:32 while on the power play once again from Kariya and Armstrong. Answered by Reykjavik's Chad LaRose at 10:09 to make it 5-2 through forty minutes.

Marc Savard would end up closing out the game's scoring at 18:14 in the third period and snag two points for the Timberwolves and a 6-2 win. Putting Thunder Bay over the century mark at 101 points for the first time in club history [last year peaking at 90 points].

"That's a great accomplishment for this group of guys," remarked Wendt after the game. "We've worked hard to get to this point and will continue to carry on what we're doing to keep this going and get better. Our goal to finish this season out is to end it with 107 points." Requiring wins in each of the last three games against Wisborg at CN Gardens on Saturday and at Beverly Hills on Monday and finishing the season in Bismarck, North Dakota on Tuesday.

3-STARS

*Colby Armstrong [THU] - 1 goal and an assist

**Matt Duchene [THU] - 1 goal and an assist

***Rick Nash [THU] - 1 goal and an assist

ELLIOTT BLANKS EXPRESS IN SPIRITED CONTEST

Elliott makes 26 saves for his second shutout of the season

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Thunder Bay, Ont.- Coming off of a embarassing 5-1 loss on Monday to the Spurs, the Timberwolves looked to turn things around on Wednesday against the visiting Express.
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Having his own struggles since being acquired from Long Island prior to the trade deadline, defenseman Mark Streit finally notched his first goal in a Timberwolves sweater at 3:44 into the first period from Marian Gaborik and Patrick Sharp.
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"It's been a little frustrating to not be contributing here when I was brought in to score these kinds of goals," remarked Streit. "Hopefully this is a sign of things to come and get that monkey off my back."
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Also in the first period, a physical tempo was set. Unfortunately for the Timberwolves, it also meant they would lose one of their top blueliners. Brooks Orpik got engaged with Brad Boyes after the whistle. As the two traded words and gloved jabs, Orpik went too far and cross-checked Boyes in the face. Leaving the Express forward in a bloody mess, and Orpik being escorted to the dressing room. Receiving two minutes for roughing and a ten-minute game misconduct.
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At 15:55 into the second period, Steve Sullivan made it 2-0 for the Timberwolves for the Timmons, Ontario-native's 22nd goal from Mike Fisher and TJ Oshie.
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Two-minutes and fifteen seconds later, Thunder Bay scored again. This time from Erik Johnson who skated in from the point and back-handed a floating shot over the shoulder of Long Island's Steve Mason.
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A late tally from Gaborik at 19:28 closed out the first forty-minutes of hockey with the Timberwolves up 4-0.
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"We're feeling good right now and it's showing up on the scoreboard," said Gaborik at the break.
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In the third period Sullivan notched his second of the game with assists from Johnson and Ales Hemsky, and closed out the games scoring at 4:41. But the game and extra curricular activities were far from over.
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At the 9:35 mark in the period, Marc Savard and Long Island's Eric Nystrom also got toe-to-toe. This time with the Express crossing the line, dropping a glove and getting in a punch and taking a 5-minute fighting major while Savard received two minutes for roughing.
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The game reached it's climax at 16:31 when Sidney Crosby took one too many liberties by jabbing at a clearly gloved and controlled puck by the Timberwolves goaltender, Brian Elliott. Erik Johnson, protecting his goalie, shoved the Express centre to the ice. Crosby quickly jumped back up with his gloves off. Johnson was more than willing to engage Crosby and the two traded punches and were continued the wrestle on the ice as the linesmen tried to seperate the two. Both traded words with each other and each other's benches as they were escorted to their respective dressing rooms.
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"They're frustrated I'm sure, and this all didn't stem from this game," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard after the game. "Crosby's a great hockey player, but he does run his mouth alot out there and gets ticked off pretty easy when he gets pushed around. EJ [Johnson] did the right thing and took him down when he clearly wasn't going after the puck anymore and was just wacking at Ells [Elliott]."
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"It's nice to finally be on the other side of a five goal game," said head coach, Craig Hartsburg. In the Timberwolves last three losses, they had given up five goals in each. "Elliott was great there in the first [stopping all 14 shots faced] and we finally rewarded our goalie for his play by shutting down our zone [Elliott faced 12 shots total in the 2nd and 3rd periods] and controlling the neutral zone and taking our game to them. This is a good game to get a series of wins down. Everyone wants to go into the playoffs on the right foot and everything clicking."
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The Timberwolves will play again on Friday when they welcome the Victoria Ronin [20-49-6].
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Brian Elliott [THU] - 26 saves in 2nd shutout of season
>>**Steve Sullivan [THU] - 2 goals and an assist
>***Erik Johnson [THU] - 1 goal, an assist and a fight to complete the 'Gordie Howe Hat Trick'

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Thunder Bay, Ont.- On Saturday, the Thunder Bay took it to Havana after suffering two dismal losses to Dayton and Copenhagen. Sandwiched between two Moon goals, the Timberwolves scored four unanswered. The biggest being the 50th from Marian Gaborik. Making it twice in as many years that the Slovakian sniper has hit the half-century mark for the Timberwolves.
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"It's thrilling to have someone of Marian's prowess on our hockey club," remarked Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "We didn't hesitate when Dayton offered him up back in '09, and we've been more than pleased with what he adds to our lineup. We as a hockey club preach the team-first mentality. This is one individual stat that doesn't happen without the guys that surround Gabby and do what they do to feed him. To me, this is something that this entire group of guys can share with him."
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Before Gaborik's goal, the Havana Moon did get things going. Thunder Bay-native, Eric Staal made it 1-0 at 1:18 into the game.
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An aggressive Erik Johnson danced in from the point and beat a surprised Ondrej Pavelec at 10:34 into the first period to tie things up.
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Gaborik's tally came while on the power play at 19:10 from Johnson and Mike Fisher. The timing of the goal was more powerful for the Timberwolves than the actual two-minute salute from the Thunder Bay faithful.
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"Of course we were happy for Gabby," said alternate captain, Fisher. "But whenever you can score in that last minute of a period and take that momentum into the room. It's huge. To have it also be something so special like a 50th goal... we almost need to calm ourselves down a little."
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In the middle period, Thunder Bay came out flying but couldn't do much with the thirteen shots taken on the Moon goaltender. That was until the 11:33 mark when rookie centre, John Tavares made the most of a intercepted pass and broke in on Pavelec. Beating the Czech goalie five hole after a series of dekes. Tavares' goal would be the lone one in the second period.
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In the third, it took five minutes and fifty-three seconds for Rick Nash to notch his 23rd of the season from Tavares and Ales Hemsky to make it 4-1 Thunder Bay.
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A late goal with :15 seconds left on the clock from Thomas Fleischmann drew Havana within two. But it was too little too late and the Timberwolves skated off with the 4-2 victory.
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"We did what wanted to do and stuck with the gameplan set forth in the morning skate," said defenseman Brooks Orpik after the win. "Hank [goaltender Henrik Lundqvist] was there when he was needed [stopping 17 of the 19 shots against] and we controlled the tempo from the goal line out. These are the games we need to work with to beat those clubs that seem to have our number."
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One of those teams is the Denver Spurs who visit Thunder Bay on Monday. Bringing with them their 4.63 goals per game average and their single point difference in the overall standings behind the Timberwolves.
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"Match-ups are key against a team like this and the fire power they bring," said Timberwolves head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "They can hurt you in alot of ways. In close and from the point. We will have to limit their opportunities and somehow break through to where we can get in on their defense that seems to be a weakened area."
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Marian Gaborik [THU] - 1 goal [50th] and an assist
>>**John Tavares [THU] - 1 goal and an assist
>***Erik Johnson [THU] - 1 goal and an assist

NESS SIGNS MINOR-LEAGUE DEAL WITH WOLVES

Thunder Bay, Ont.- On Thursday it was officially announced that Thunder Bay Timberwolves prospect, defenseman Aaron Ness [pictured] has foregone his senior season at the University of Minnesota and will immediately report to Thunder Bay. Ness was drafted by the Timberwolves in the second round [31st overall] in the 2008 entry draft.

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With an already planned trip to Thunder Bay scheduled for graduated Gophers, Jay Barriball, Patrick White and Cade Fairchild. Another seat was added on the plane for the early departure of Ness. All four players will meet with the Timberwolves coaches, players, trainers and staff and tour the hockey club's facilities, develop a gameplan for the offseason and then likely report to Duluth to experience their first pro game atmosphere with the Pups. They will also take in Saturday's game against the Havana Moon from the press box.

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"We're happy to be bringing in Aaron directly under our wing and continuing his development in our system," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "As a smaller player [5' 11", 177 lbs], he will need to continue bulking up. But his hockey sense and skating that is already there is key to becoming a regular pro. I am confident that he wants it bad enough and will work hard enough to someday put on a Timberwolves sweater for good and be a key contributer to the success of this hockey club."

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The 20-year-old-Roseau, Minnesota-native concludes his college career having played in 111 games, 6 goals, 37 assists for 43 points

TIGHT GAME ENDS IN TOUGH LOSS FOR WOLVES

Gaborik's hat trick outdone by Crusaders victory

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Thunder Bay, Ont.- The Timberwolves came home limping both literally and figuratively after their loss on Tuesday to the Dayton Musicmen. Making their chances against the CCHL's best on Thursday even that tougher.
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The Copenhagen Crusaders came to Thunder Bay as not only the top-ranked hockey club in the league, but far and away the hottest. They sport and arsenal of two 50-goal scorers and overall depth that is unrivaled. Needless to say, the Timberwolves had their hands full with even a healthy lineup. The loss of arguably their best shutdown defensmen, Anton Volchenkov in the Dayton loss would be dearly missed against the steamroller that is the Copenhagen Crusaders.
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Copenhagen opened up the scoring at 6:09 into the first period with a power play goal from Dennis Seidenberg. A score that would be doubled at 8:27 when former Timberwolf, Kyle Brodziak made it 2-0 with a short-handed tally.
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But Thunder Bay would not remain down and beaten. On the very next shift after the Brodziak goal, while still on the power play, Marian Gaborik [pictured] scored his 47th goal :08 seconds later to draw the Timberwolves within one.
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Gaborik would add another goal with the man-advantage at 11:22 to close out the scoring in the opening period and help his club's spirits up going into the intermission.
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"Gabby's been huge for us all season and he seems to get those big goals at the most opportune times," said Timberwolves defenseman, Erik Johnson at the break.
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In the second period, both hockey clubs played tight and limited each other's chances to keep most of the frame scoreless. But at 14:30, Tim Connolly drew blood again for the Crusaders to take the lead back.
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But as scripted, Gaborik was there again when the Timberwolves took advantage of another Copenhagen penalty. The Slovakian sniper notching his 49th and 3rd of the game to complete his third hat trick of the season, and tie things up once again going into the intermission.
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"We know we can play with anyone in this league," remarked forward TJ Oshie. "Copenhagen is as good as advertised, but we're staying with them. Now we have to hit that next gear and try somehow to get past them. We all know it's not a dream, but definately something we're fully capable of."
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Steven Stamkos had something to say about that.
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At 6:30, the CCHL's leading goal scorer added to his total with his 61st of the season. At 15:04, Stamkos added another for good measure to put the Crusaders up 5-3.
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A late goal from Oshie at 18:34 made things interesting, but in the end those two Stamkos goals were enough to take down the Timberwolves 5-4.
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"It sucks. There's not much more you can say about it," said Timberwolves goaltender Henrik Lundqvist. "We had all of the momentum and all it took was a couple shots from the wrong guy and we're down and out. Our goal was to come out with the two points. No matter how close it was and all that other stuff. We came in here to win, and we didn't. So we failed."
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"We took it to the best team in the league. More than most teams have. Yet we still couldn't get past them," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "I think we can take alot of positives out of this. Shots were 43-33 in our favour. We out hit them and really didn't succomb to their game. Obviously Marian [Gaborik] was stellar. But we still have to eat this loss and that's never anything you can be positive about."
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The Timberwolves play again on Saturday when they welcome the Havana Moon [29-40-3] and Thunder Bay-native's Eric and Marc Staal to the Canadian National Gardens.
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Marian Gaborik [THU] - 3 power play goals [hat trick]
>>**Tim Connolly [COP] - 1 goal and 2 assists
>***Jimmy Howard [COP] - 39 saves

WOLVES LIMP OUT OF DAYTON

Gunnarsson injured in first game back in a month

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Dayton, Ohio- The Timberwolves traveled to southwest Ohio to prove to everyone that they are one of the big boys in the CCHL. They left still searching for answers... and enough crutches and assistance getting back on their plane.

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It didn't take long for the Dayton Musicmen to establish the game's tempo. First it was a sniper's goal through a screened Henrik Lundqvist from Jerome Iginla at 3:40 in. Then it was a hobbling Anton Volchenkov desperately trying to get to the bench after blocking a shot. He would not return to the game.

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Then on the very next shift, rookie blueliner Carl Gunnarsson [pictured] was checked hard into a corner by Dayton's Corey Perry. Gunnarsson appeared dazed heading to the bench and would also not return. This was also the young Swede's first game back in a month while recovering from a wrist injury.

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Antti Miettinen would score for the Timberwolves at 9:43 in the first period to tie things up 1-1. That would be as close as Thunder Bay would get.

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In the second period, the under-manned defense was clearly exposed for the visitors. Chris Pronger took back the lead for Dayton, and Iginla completed the hat trick to put the Musicmen up 4-1 going into the final period. Shots were 28-11 for Dayton through forty minutes.

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In the third period, Rick Nash notched his 22nd goal from Marc Savard and John Tavares at 13:43. Not enough time to mount a comeback, and Ryan Malone iced the game for Dayton with a short-handed empty netter to win it 5-2 for the Musicmen.

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The Timberwolves players clearly not in the mood to talk, quickly cleared out of their dressing room and boarded their plane home.

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"It's unfortunate that we suffered those injuries and didn't get a good look to see where we ranked with an opponent that is at our level," remarked Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "It's a tough game where luck and health plays a part in it as much as heart and skill. We'll need more of the latter for the next couple games."

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The Timberwolves next game is on Thursday back in Thunder Bay when they take on the CCHL's best, Copenhagen Crusaders. It will be a tougher test then expected as Volchenkov and Gunnarsson will not be available due to their injuries. Volchenkov, the club's premier shutdown defensemen is listed with a 'lower body injury' and will be out for 10 days. Gunnarsson will miss the next 4 days with an 'upper body injury'.

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>>>3-STARS

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>>>*Jerome Iginla [DAY] - 3 goals [hat trick] and an assist

>>**Ryan Malone [DAY] - 1 goal and an assist

>***Chris Pronger [DAY] - 1 goal

WOLVES DROP HOMERS IN POSSIBLE PLAYOFF MATCH-UP

Savard's 3 helpers lead Wolves to win in New England

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Springfield, Mass.- On the eve of two of their biggest games this season, the Timberwolves double up 15th-ranked Homers and win 4-2 in Springfield.
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"We're taking things game-by-game, but are fully aware of the steep rise in competition this week," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard. "But we cannot let our focus deter too much from the immediate task at hand. And that's here in Springfield."
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Despite both clubs gaining a power play chance each in the opening period, the first 20 minutes went in the books 0-0 and the Timberwolves taking 12 shots on Cam Ward to the Homers 10 on Henrik Lundqvist.
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Rick Nash opened the games scoring at 9:00 in the 2nd period for his 21st goal from Mark Streit and Marc Savard [pictured].
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Mike Fisher put the Timberwolves up 2-0 90 seconds later for his 29th from TJ Oshie and Streit. David Krejci would draw the Homers within 1 at 13:45 and closed out the 2nd period scoring with Thunder Bay holding onto a 2-1 lead.
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In the final 20 minutes, Marian Gaborik scored his team-leading 46th goal at 7:51 from Brooks Orpik and Savard. Inching closer to hitting that 50 goal mark like he did last season.
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The closest the game got was at 9:31 in the 3rd when Viktor Stalberg made it 3-2. But a blast from the point at 11:12 from Anton Volchenkov iced the game and led the Timberwolves to a 4-2 victory.
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As mentioned, the 3rd-ranked Timberwolves will face their biggest test with 12 games remaining in the regular season. They travel to Dayton on Tuesday to take on the 2nd-ranked Musicmen, and then head home on Thursday to battle the #1 Copenhagen Crusaders.
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"It's big," said a matter of fact Timberwolves coach, Craig Hartsburg. "We'll know where we really stand in the order of things after this week. It's more than just hanging with these guys. We want to overcome them and beat them. The overall goal there is simple. But we've got to match up with them and clean some things up in our own game first."
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Marc Savard [THU] - 3 assists
>>**Anton Volchenkov [THU] - 1 goal, 2 blocked shots and 2 hits
>***Mark Streit [THU] - 2 assists

WOLVES EMBARRASSED IN WINNIPEG

Duchene's two tallies a blip on otherwise sour loss to Ferrets

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Winnipeg, Man.- Coming off of two dominating 4-1 wins against Linz and Prague, the Timberwolves were dominated themselves on Friday against Winnipeg. The Ferrets coming out on top with a 7-3 win.
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"They had our number and made their shots count," said a rather stunner Patrick Sharp after the game. "They set the tempo early, stuck with it and forced us to play into their game. Their game shut us down and credit to those guys. They are proud and regardless of what the standings say, we faced a superior opponent that wanted it more today. We've got alot of work to do in here [pointing to his heart] if we are serious about being one of the elites in this league. Because games like this leave alot of questions to be answered."
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The Ferrets jumped up early when Jussi Jokinen made it 1-0 just :11 seconds into the game. Twenty shots and another goal later, and Winnipeg was up 2-1 [Matt Duchene [pictured] scored at 17:32] going into the first intermission.
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Two more goals within the first few minutes of the second period from Winnipeg seemed to deflate Thunder Bay's bench. A goal from Ales Hemsky lifted spirits at 6:19. But a Carlo Colaiacovo blast from the point brought the road club back down again.
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A late goal from Duchene [at 18:40] brought the Timberwolves back to within three to close out the first forty minutes with the Ferrets up 5-2.
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Winnipeg did not let up none in the final twenty minutes. Solidifying their pursuit of two points by scoring one within the first two minutes and completing their dominance at 19:13 to finish off their closest rival 7-3.
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"It is what it is," said Timberwolves head coach, Craig Hartsburg after the game. "We came out flat and were knocked on our butts early. It's my job to assure my guys are prepared and ready from the opening face-off. Obviously we were not, so I take the blame. It tough to swallow a loss like this this late in the season. We should not be getting run over by anyone at this point. Hopefully the guys will wake up, lick their wounds and get their sh*t together before the next one."
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The Timberwolves next game is back inThunder Bay when they take on the Springfield Homers [26-34-10] on Sunday.
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Alex Steen [WIN] - 2 goals [1 PP] and an assist
>>**Jarret Stoll [WIN] - 1 goal and an assist
>***Matt Duchene [THU] - 2 goals [1 PP]

TIMBERWOLVES DEFEATHER BLACK WINGS

Gaborik's power play tally helps Wolves take down Wings

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Thunder Bay, Ont- Coming off of a long three-day weekend off, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves wasted no time getting back into a groove by scoring early and late to defeat the visiting Linz Black Wings by a 4-1 score in front of a capacity crowd at Canadian National Gardens.
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Mike Fisher broke the ice at 3:17 into the game for the Peterborough-native's 27th from Erik Johnson and TJ Oshie.
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At 14:22, Marian Gaborik [pictured] made it 2-0 with his 45th from Marc Savard and Mark Streit. Streit's assist was the Swiss blueliner's first point with the Timberwolves since being acquired just before the trade deadline.
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The Timberwolves took the two goal lead into the first intermission. Also outshooting the Black Wings 20-8.
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In the second period, Linz tightened there game up by limiting Thunder Bay's 15 total shots in the period to mostly non-lethal shots from the boards or long distanced shots on their goaltender, Ryan Miller. The Black Wings took advantage of that and pressed their offense and were rewarded at 17:21 when Jason Spezza broke away on Henrik Lundqvist and beat the Timberwolves goalie five hole, and cut the lead in half at 2-1 going into the second intermission.
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Not looking to let another third period get away in twice last week, Ales Hemsky took back the Linz goal at 8:37 for his 28th of the season.
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Blair Betts iced the game at 19:13 for the Edmonton-native's 10th and second in as many games to finish off the Black Wings 4-1.
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"You always want to get off to a good start after being on any extended breaks," said Timberwolves forward, Rick Nash after the game. "This is the time of year where every point in important and you want to keep your game going at the highest level and be as consistent as possible. We talked about it this morning and before the warm-up and we wanted to establish our game and our tempo and take it to them. Thought we accomplished that with Fish's [Fisher] goal and kept it going. Lundqvist was stellar again and we all just played a complete game and a good launching point for this back-to-back and the rest of the season."
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The Timberwolves immediately departed the Gardens and were wheels up from Thunder Bay International within 90 minutes of the final horn and en route for tomorrows game in the Czech capital against the Prague Piranhas [21-40-7].
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Mike Fisher [THU] - Goal
>>**Marian Gaborik [THU] - Power play goal
>***Ales Hemsky [THU] - Goal

TIMBERWOLVES CLINCH IN OT THRILLER

Betts' OT shorty lifts Wolves in big win
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Budapest, Hungary- It took 66 games to notch their 40th win, but as of Friday the Timberwolves are officially playoff-bound. Doing so by dropping a team that sits directly above them in the overall CCHL standings in dramatic fashion.
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The game featured a goal-for-goal match up that ended in overtime when Blair Betts [pictured] jumped on an errant Honved pass while the Timberwolves were short-handed, and traded passes with TJ Oshie before taking a precise wrist shot on and past Budapest's Evgeny Nabokov for a 3-2 Thunder Bay victory.
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With the win, the Timberwolves still remain in 4th place overall with 88 points behind Budapest [also 88 points, but 41 wins] and #1 Copenhagen [96 points] and Dayton [91 points] with 16 games remaining.
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"Making the playoffs is great," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "It's something to check off the list of goals we made for this season. But we're not happy or content with just making the playoffs. We may be ahead of the curve in regards to where we thought we'd be in the remake of this hockey club, but we're here to win a championship now. So yes, getting to the playoffs is the first step in getting to that ultimate goal. But we cannot change anything. We cannot sit back and wait out these last sixteen games. We have to get better every game and jump into the postseason in full stride. I look forward to the ride."
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The Timberwolves will depart Budapest and travel back to Thunder Bay but will not play again until Tuesday when they welcome the Linz Black Wings to the Canadian National Gardens.
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Blair Betts [THU] - Game-winning short-handed goal in overtime
>>**Mike Knuble [BUD] - 1 goal and an assist
>***Mike Modano [BUD] - 1 goal