DONE



Thunder Bay, Ont.- The Timberwolves 2010-11 season officially ended today in a 6-2 loss to the Copenhagen Crusaders in Game 6 of the 3rd Round of the playoffs. Despite all the heart and effort in this game, Thunder Bay seemed to have finally run out of gas in their 20th game of this post-season. This and playing with their minds of a fallen teammate who remained in Copenhagen after their Game 5 win. >>>
Marc Savard was not with his team for the end. The Ottawa-native remained in Denmark for further medical evaluations in what is described as a severe concussion after a devastating blindside hit by Crusaders defenseman Craig Rivet when Savard was carrying the puck into the offensive zone. Rivet was not penalized on the play.
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The Timberwolves were blunt during the intermissions and after Game 5 about their intentions of 'taking issue' with Rivet. Who has a not-so pleasant past with the Timberwolves after taking out Patrick Sharp with a similar hit last season for over a month when Rivet was a member of the Niagara Falls Thunder. But with having to win more than anything, retribution would have to wait.
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But after seven minutes of ice-time, Rivet was rocked behind the Copenhagen net with a thunderous hit by TJ Oshie that left the glass cracked and the Crusaders defensemen needing assistance off the ice to the jeers of the normally pleasant Timberwolves faithful.
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In the end, Thunder Bay needed the win more than the payback and with only the payback... their season ended on home ice.
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"It's been a great season. The best this organization has ever been apart of," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt after the game. "But right now it stings. Not one guy in that room expected to do anything but when it all. That's a mentality that's taken time to get to. It's a mindset that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. But today our season ended and we have alot of decisions to make in the offseason to get even further next season. Those decisions aren't easy, and we will have a different look for sure. I'd like to congratulate Bruce Niblett and the Copenhagen Crusaders for advancing to the Final and finishing the regular season as the best. We're sure to meet many more times in the post-season for sure."
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As for the offseason, the Timberwolves first task is addressing which restricted free agents they plan to re-sign, trade or release. The unresticted free agent re-sign appears to be defenseman Jordan Leopold. After that there is the Entry Draft that starts in early July. A draft that the Timberwolves currently only hold five picks in the later rounds. Something that Wendt has mentioned will change before the draft begins.
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"We'll be busy working the phones for the next week or so and the ground work going on some things with other clubs that we've not addressed while actively trying to seek a championship," said Wendt. "We'll see what the market is like as everyone should be trying to move assets in and out setting themselves up for free agency and the draft and for next season. This is when titles are built."

WOLVES PUSH FOR GAME 6; SAVARD OUT INDEFINATELY



Marc Savard's post-season is over; career in jeopardy after hit to head

 Copenhagen, Denmark- Twenty-five seconds into Game 5, and the Thunder Bay Timberwolves inched closer to extending their post-season with a goal from Patrick Sharp who was assisted by Anton Volchenkov and Marc Savard. Two minutes into his icetime, and Savard's hockey career became very much in doubt after a brutal hit at the offensive blueline by Crusaders defenseman, Craig Rivet. Someone all to familiar with the Timberwolves after knocking Sharp out last season for over a month with a similar hit when he was a member of the Niagara Falls Thunder.
>>>After lying on the ice motionless for several minutes, team trainers and doctors and local paramedics carried Savard off the ice on a stretcher and was taken by ambulance to a local Copenhagen hospital.
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"First thing is we have to control our emotions," said Sharp in the first intermission. "Savvy's [Savard] a great player and a better human being. It's tough to not just keep thinking about him right now. We have to turn this emotion into a drive to win this for him and keep our season going. We can't worry about Rivet. He's a piece of sh*t that will get his payback in due time."
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With emotions peaked, Thunder Bay took a 2-0 lead when Sharp intercepted a Copenhagen pass at the blueline while on a power play and drove in on Jimmy Howard to beat the New York-native for a shorthanded tally at 8:37 in the first period.
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The Timberwolves took the momentum into the intermission, and as stated in Sharp's comments then, emotions were still high after the Savard hit. To open up the second period, TJ Oshie continued the onslaught just :59 seconds in to make it 3-0.
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Keith Yandle put the Crusaders on the board at 14:33 for his first goal in the playoffs while on the power play. Bobby Ryan added to the comeback with his sixth goal at 19:56 to make it 3-2 Thunder Bay going into the second intermission.
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In the third period, the Timberwolves played a solid all around game. Shutting down their defensive zone and clogging up the neutral zone while limiting the Crusaders to eight shots while unloading sixteen of their own.
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Paul Kariya put the game out of reach at the fifteen minute mark to put Thunder Bay up 4-2. A score that would stand to the end and extend the post-season for the on-the-brink-Timberwolves.
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"It's do or die time, and I couldn't be any more proud of these guys and playing through what should've shut them down in what is for now the biggest game of their lives," said Timberwolves head coach Craig Hartsburg after the game. "Savvy may not wear a letter for us, but he is the heart and soul of this group. He's a vocal, gritty leader that we cannot replace in our lineup. But we have to somehow. I'm not going to comment on the hit itself. Other then the word 'dirty' doesn't do it justice. We have a history with that player [Rivet] that is not a pleasant one. But we have to focus on the next game, keep Marc in our hearts and prayers and win this next one and all the rest for him."
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At Canadian National Gardens, the Timberwolves will arrive home for Game six with a make-shift banner outside that hopefully puts things in motion...

"WIN IT FOR SAVVY"

WOLVES DROP GAME 2; HEAD HOME TIED

Gaborik's lone goal not enough

Copenhagen, Denmark- The Timberwolves knew they would have to play their best hockey in Game 2 against the Crusaders in order to deflate their potent offense. Despite their efforts, Copenhagen won 3-1 and both clubs head to Thunder Bay with the series knotted up at a game a piece.
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"We got off our game and they took advantage of that immediately," remarked defenseman, Keith Ballard after the game.
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What Ballard was referring to specifically was his own minor penalty at 5:12 in the first period. One that lead to Copenhagen's first goal of the game a mere :03 seconds later.
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The Crusaders would take that lead into the intermission. Thunder Bay held onto what their goaltender was giving them. A 20-save performance.
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In the middle period, Copenhagen double up their lead with a Tim Connolly break away tally at 6:18 and would again hold the Timberwolves scoreless through forty minutes of hockey.
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Marian Gaborik finally got Thunder Bay on the board at 14:22 into the third period for his 9th goal of the playoffs from Marc Savard and Rick Nash.
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But another Crusaders break away, this time with Marian Hossa being in alone on Lundqvist iced the game at 17:55 and Copenhagen took the 3-1 win.
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"We never really got to where we wanted to be in establishing our game," said defenseman Nick Schultz after the game. "Credit them for coming out with a good gameplan an making it happen. They set the tempo and dictated the flow of the game early and held onto it. We have some things to work on before Game 3."
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"There's some things we have to clean up in our overall game before the next one," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "Our guys stayed with them, but they [the Crusaders] didn't give us much room and we just need to fight through those situations. We'll make some modifications to our lineup, but nothing drastic. I just didn't like some of the matchups we had today."
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Game 3 is tomorrow at Canadian National Gardens in Thunder Bay.
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Mike Green [COP] - Power play goal
>>**Jimmy Howard [COP] - 1 goal against and 28 saves
>***Marian Gaborik [THU] - Goal

WOLVES STEAL GAME 1

Copenhagen, Denmark- Not given much of a chance against the explosive Copenhagen Crusaders, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves came out clicking and cooled the top ranked team by winning Game 1 by a 3-2 score.
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"They're a hurtin' unit over there and we knew if we wanted to get off to a good start in this series we had to set the tempo here in game one and we needed to get it rolling right off the face-off," said Timberwolves forward, Patrick Sharp before the game.
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The Crusaders were without a big chunk of their defense, so the Timberwolves needed to take advantage of that.
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At 7:13 in, Colby Armstrong put Thunder Bay on top with his first of the post-season.
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TJ Oshie made it 2-0 at 13:30 for his third of the season from Rick Nash.
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Blair Betts made the most of his fourth line minutes and scored his first in the playoffs at 14:30 to close out the first twenty minutes of hockey and put the underdog Timberwolves in clear control of this opening series contest.
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In the second period the Crusaders came alive. Putting twenty one shots on Henrik Lundqvist [pictured] and sneaking in two behind the Thunder Bay goaltender to bring the game within reach.
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In the third period, the Timberwolves did all they could to hold onto their one-goal lead and met Copenhagen at the red line and forced their game to the boards. Limiting them to only nine shots in the most critical period of the game.
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"We know we weren't getting the best out of them [Copenhagen]," remarked Timberwolves head coach Craig Hartsburg after the win. "But they still put a very high quality squad out there and that should not be ignored. We did what we wanted to do right from the start. The guys completely controlled that first period and we actually played really well in the second, despite giving up those two goals. Henrik [Lundqvist] did all he could and those just weren't shots anyone would've made. In the second intermission, we talked about shutting these guys down and not giving them any room. We did that, tried to shut down their game from the red line in and really forced them to take soft shots from the wall or long distance ones. We'll enjoy this, take the good and bad from it and prepare for Game 2. We know we'll get nothing but the best from Copenhagen, and we'll have to counter it with our very best."
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3-STARS
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>>>*Colby Armstrong [THU] - Goal
>>**Mike Green [COP] - Power play goal
>***Blair Betts [THU] - Goal

ON TO COPENHAGEN!

John Tavares

Budapest, Hungary- Already hardened from a seven game series in the first round against Quebec, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves continued their ride into the playoffs on Tuesday with a 3-1 victory over the Budapest Honved in another seven-game bout to clinch the second round and now move on to take on the explosive Copenhagen Crusaders and their 8-1 playoff record in Round 3.
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"Budapest was a huge test for us," said Timberwolves forward Patrick Sharp. "They have one of the stingiest defenses in the league, led by [Zdeno] Chara and rock-solid goaltending. This can't but help us and make us a better, more dangerous group in the post season."
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The similarities between the first and second rounds are amazing for Thunder Bay vs the two opponents. In Round 1, Quebec had issues with healthy goaltending in Jaroslav Halak after the Slovakian backstop absorbed a Sheldon Souray blast from the point and never really rebounded. The Timberwolves lost game one, won games two and three, lost games four and five and took games six and seven to advance.
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In Budapest, the Timberwolves again faced stout goaltending in Evgeny Nabokov. They would end up losing game one, win games two and three, drop four and five and win games six and seven. With Nabokov leaving with an undisclosed injury just twelve minutes into game seven.
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"We're not running goalies for those who haven't seen any of our games," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard. "We've heard the chatter that we wouldn't be where we are if we faced the other team's number one in big games. We can't control the health of those guys, and quite frankly don't care who we've faced to win. Honestly, we don't care what anyone really says about us. We can only worry about ourselves and do what we can to keep winning. Whatever anyone else says, we know what needs to be done and only we can execute out on the ice."
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In Copenhagen, the Timberwolves will be facing an opponent that they did not have a win against during the regular season. Going 0-3-1 in four games.
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"We're not given much of a chance against them," remarked head coach Craig Hartsburg while on the plane en route to Denmark from Hungary. "That's fine. We don't have a real good record against them to push anyone in our favour. But the playoffs are not the regular season, and we have just as much of a chance at this thing as they do. None of the rest of these playoff teams have really faced much of a challenge in the post season. None of them have faced elimination once, let alone twice. They've bull-dozed their opponents and have quite frankly, eased into the third round. I'm not knocking them for that. They're all very good hockey clubs obviously. But when the going gets tough, there's not a more battle tested club left here then us. That's not to say we're any better. But we've had to grind out some tough wins to stay alive and that can only make us better when we get into the trenches."
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The next round begins tomorrow for Game 1 against the Crusaders in Copenhagen. The other series has the Karlstad Killers in Dayton to take on the Musicmen.

TIMBERWOLVES TAKE ANOTHER TO 7 GAMES!

Thunder Bay, Ont.- As the remaining playoff teams are set for the third round, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves are taking their time and making it last as long as possible after taking down the Budapest Honved 5-2 at Canadian National Gardens in dramatic fashion.
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"I don't think any team wants to go seven games in a series if they don't have to," said Timberwolves forward Rick Nash. "We have to. If it means we keep playing and going further into the post-season, then so be it. No one here wants this ride to end. We want it all."
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Through twenty minutes of grind-it-out hockey, both clubs remained scoreless. The Timberwolves with the advantage in shots at 11-5.
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At 4:05 into the second period, Henrik Sedin put Honved on top for his third of the playoffs from Zdeno Chara and Phil Kessel. Former Timberwolf Mason Raymond made it 2-0 for Budapest 3:59 later to put Thunder Bay clearly in the hotseat.
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But what every team hates when taking a lead into the final intermission is giving one up right before the break. Budapest did just that when Rick Nash cut the lead in half at 19:24.
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Momentum was carried into the dressing room and translated onto the ice immediately into the third period when Marian Gaborik notched his seventh of the post-season at :51 seconds in from Keith Ballard and John Tavares to tie things up 2-2.
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Gaborik added his second and the Timberwolves first lead of the game at 7:35 to the thunderous roar of the Thunder Bay faithful who were not yet ready to see their last game in northwest Ontario before they hit the lakes and links for summer.
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Captain Ballard put his club up by two :17 seconds after Gaborik to make it 4-2 7:52 into the third period. Erik Johnson iced the game at 19:26 for the empty netter to finish the game at 5-2 for the Timberwolves.
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"Huge. Absolutely huge," said defenseman Brooks Orpik after the game. "We all know what's at stake. It's not over, but we're still alive and kicking and that's all that matters for that plane ride back over there. We've done it before, we know what needs to be done and we're excited about keeping this going."
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"The guys did what needed to be done," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "The consequences of losing were simple. Our season was over. So there wasn't much that needed to be said before the game and at the intermissions. Heart overcame the opposition today and we need all we have tomorrow if we want this season to continue. I believe in this group and know that they will be more then ready to take their game to the next level, control their emotions and play a clear-headed, smart hockey game tomorrow."
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The Timberwolves took off for Budapest with a fully loaded plane of extra jerseys, gear, luggage and players for what they hope to be an extended stay in Europe. As the Copenhagen Crusaders await the winner.

DEJA VU?

Budapest, Hungary- Nothing comes easy in the playoffs. Everything is earned and even then, what you hope for and what you work so hard for, still may not come to fruition. For the Thunder Bay Timberwolves, they are in an all too familiar situation for the second time in a week. Facing elimination from the post-season.
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"It's something that we'd rather not be apart of. But it's something we know we can overcome and prevail from," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard. "We have some work to do and clean up alot of things in our gameplan. But we know what we have to do, and that's the easiest part. Now we have to execute it and we'll be fine."
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After losing Game 1 in overtime to the Budapest Honved, the Timberwolves took games two and three in commanding fashion. Outscoring Honved 12-5. But Budapest, a club that prides themselves on defense, cleaned up their zone and took Game 4 by a 2-1 score. In Game 5 it was once again a defensive showcase on both sides. But Honved prevailed with a 3-1 win, and head back the Thunder Bay with the Timberwolves on the brink of elimination for Game 6. Just like in their last series with the Quebec Remparts.
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"We've got to find our chances and set the tempo early," said forward, Patrick Sharp. "We proved in games two and three, if we can score first and build off of an early lead, we can dictate the flow of the game and keep them on their heels. They're an amazing defensive squad, and Nabokov is an elite goalie. But they don't play well if they need goals when down. We absolutely have to get the lead early and keep going. That is 'A' #1 for us. Take them off their game and force ours down their throat."
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Game 6 is tomorrow at Canadian National Gardens in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

WOLVES COME HOME EVEN AFTER TWO

Budapest, Hungary- After losing 3-2 in overtime to Honved in Game 1 on Wednesday, the Timberwolves needed to answer back in Game 2 on Thursday. It took Patrick Sharp :06 seconds after the opening face-off to get things started.
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"We have to set the tempo early and establish our game," said Sharp prior to this game. "They thrive on their team defense and shutting teams down. It's huge to get ahead early and force them to get outside of their gameplan."
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Former Timberwolf, Mason Raymond tied things up at 3:31 in the first. A power play goal from Rick Nash [pictured] at 13:47 took the lead back for Thunder Bay. But a late tally from Mike Knuble at 19:47 evened things out going into the first intermission.
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"That late goal really hurt," said Timberwolves defenseman Erik Johnson at the break. "They have the momentum right now. We have to keep up our confidence and continue to do what we're doing offensively and tighten things up in our own zone."
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Shots in the first period were 14-11 in favour of Budapest.
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At 5:31 in the second, rookie pivot Matt Duchene scored his first career post-season goal. Marian Gaborik doubled up the lead at 9:01 while once again on the power play to make it 4-2 for the Timberwolves. A short-handed breakaway from Sharp at 18:34 was capped off with the Thunder Bay-native scoring his 6th of the playoffs and taking the road club into the second intermission with a 5-2 lead and clear momentum going into the final 20 minutes.
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"Sharpie's goal was huge," said Duchene between periods. "Their late goal in the first period kind of deflated us a little. But there's alot of resiliant guys in the room and we just leaned on the big guns like Sharpie and Gabby and Nash. The never say die mentality is a must at this stage in the season."
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The third period scoring seen both hockey clubs exchanging a single goal each [Nash and Budapest's Mike Modano] and the Timberwolves finishing with a strong 6-3 victory.
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"It was big to establish our game early and stick with it," said Thunder Bay's Mike Fisher after the game. "They came back, but we didn't panic and kept doing what was working and forcing them to take chances. They have one of the best if not the best defenses in the league. So to put six goals behind them is rare. If we can stay consistent, we can dictate games and push our style on them."
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Game 3 goes heads to Thunder Bay on Friday. The Timberwolves will be without defenseman, Brooks Orpik who took a Brayden Coburn point shot off his chin when trying to block it. He will sit our Friday and likely wear a full cage when he returns.
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Rick Nash [THU] - 2 goals and an assist
>>**Patrick Sharp [THU] - 2 goals and an assist
>***Marian Gaborik [THU] - 1 goal and an assist

WOLVES FORCE GAME 7

Rick Nash

Quebec City, Que.- In what many of the Timberwolves players were calling the "game of our lives" and "nothing bigger", need to now bring it up one big notch after beating the Remparts 4-2 on Monday to force a Game 7 on Tuesday back in Thunder Bay.
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"For more than the obvious reasons to stay alive and dig deeper into the post-season," remarked Timberwolves alternate captain, Mike Fisher. "We needed to come in here and prove to ourselves that we are better than how we've been playing so far. Getting shutout and losing like we did in Game 5 [6-0] was about as embarrassing as it gets. Our fans who have been there for us every game and keep selling that place out through it all. They deserved so much more than what we left them with. Now we have an opportunity to come home and make it up to them. It doesn't get any bigger then here and now. It's not a Game 7 in the Final. But it's still a Game 7. If you can't get up for that and give it everything you have inside of you. Then you're in the wrong profession. We will be ready. There is no other option."
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Monday's Game 6 got off on a good foot for the Timberwolves early. An ill-advised trip by Quebec's Antoine Vermette just :15 seconds into the game, was answered with a Rick Nash power play tally :19 seconds later to put Thunder Bay up 1-0.
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A shooting gallery of sorts in the middle period had the Timberwolves putting 16 shots on Jaroslav Halak. Three of them finding the back of the net from Fisher, TJ Oshie and Patrick Sharp. Sharp's goal catching the Rempart's goaltender between the top of his left pad and pants before dipping five-hole to make it 4-0. Quebec's trainer immediately came out to Halak and after some flexing and grimacing, he stayed in through the second period.
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Sensing that they had a lame moose in front of them, the Timberwolves did what Timberwolves do and... well, hit up Sheldon Souray to unleash a low blast from the point at the 1-minute mark of the 3rd period. The shot hit it's mark. Low on a hobbling goaltender who had to be assisted off the ice by teammates and trainers. For the second time in this series, Thomas Greiss came in relief for his injured comrade.
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Two goals from the Remparts in the 3rd period made the game closer. But in the end it would be the Timberwolves who took the win with them on the way back to Thunder Bay.
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"None of us want this to end," said TJ Oshie after the game. "We had all the motivation in the world coming in here after getting stomped on in the last one. It's something to transform all that anger and embarrassment into something like what we did today. It's great to keep this going, but we're not satisfied with this. We have 60 minutes or more of the best hockey of our lives coming up. We have to give it everything we have in our heart and soul and ability tomorrow. It's got to be the game of our lives."
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3-STARS
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>>>*Rick Nash [THU] - 1 goal
>>**Carl Gunnarsson [THU] - 2 assists
>***TJ Oshie [THU] - 1 goal

GAME 6 PREVIEW: NO ROOM FOR ERROR

Patrick Sharp

Thunder Bay, Ont.- "It doesn't get anymore serious then this," said by Timberwolves alternate captain, Patrick Sharp after a devastating 6-0 loss on Sunday to the Quebec Remparts. "We needed for this to be a statement game for us. All that we accomplished was a chance to see what kind of intestinal fortitude we have. To be dismantled like that and in front of our fans. It's one of the most embarrassing moments in my hockey career. If anyone else in this room disagrees with that, then they need not bother making the trip back to Quebec."
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"We didn't have it today," said head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "There's plenty to dissect and digest and no time to hang our heads. What's done is done, but this is not over. We have to come out tomorrow and want it more. Simple as that. There's no technique or secret formula. We have to want it more. We're not ready for our season to be over."
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Despite a team oozing of confidence and upbeat attitude, the reality is that the Thunder Bay Timberwolves are on the brink of being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs. For the second year in a row. Can they overcome the odds, even out the series and win it in seven games? Game 6 is tomorrow in Quebec.

GAME 2: LUNDQVIST SHUTS OUT REMPARTS

Thunder Bay, Ont.- Having been a witness to superb goaltending 190 feet away in Game 1, Henrik Lundqvist [pictured] felt it was his turn to showcase his elite play in Game 2.

SPACE

"I didn't think I played bad in Game 1," remarked Lundqvist prior to Game 2. "But they got two in and [Jaroslav] Halak played better."

SPACE

Seven minutes into Game 2, and the goalie that stymied the Timberwolves a day prior was skating to the Remparts dressing room with an undisclosed injury. In came Thomas Greiss. A former prospect in the Thunder Bay system.

SPACE

At 10:48 into the opening period, Steve Sullivan made it 1-0 for the Timberwolves. Assisted by TJ Oshie and newly inserted Blair Betts. Betts replaced rookie centre, Matt Duchene from Game 1. SPACE

Once again, Thunder Bay came out firing. Unleashing 11 shots on Halak and Greiss. While Lundqvist stopped all 5 he faced in the first period.

SPACE

The middle period would be scoreless. The Timberwolves outshooting Quebec 15-10.

SPACE

Mike Fisher put the game away for the home team at 15:31 to make it 2-0. The final score.

SPACE

"Unfortunate for them to lose their number one in net," said Timberwolves head coach Craig Hartsburg after the win. "But we'll take it. Halak was steller in the first game, so if we could get him out of there, fine by us. But we can't lay off or get it in our head that just because their backup is in, we'll come out on top. Greiss still looked pretty good in there."

SPACE

Although the Remparts will not disclose the injury to Jaroslav Halak, it was announced that he will not be available for Game 3 back in Quebec City on Friday.

SPACE

3-STARS

SPACE

* Henrik Lundqvist [THU] - 23 saves in shutout win

SPACE

** Steve Sullivan [THU] - 1 goal [game-winner]

SPACE

*** Mike Fisher [THU] - 1 goal

GAME 1: REMPARTS HALAK A STONEWALL

Quebec's Halak made 41 saves in Game 1 win over Timberwolves

SPACE

Thunder Bay, Ont.- The opening game of the playoffs for the Thunder Bay Timberwolves was as advertised according to the club's general manager, Blake Wendt. A 2-1 win for the visiting Quebec Remparts. Led by solid defense and even more solidified goaltending from Jaroslav Halak [pictured] who made 41 saves in the victory. Including stopping all 19 shots faced in the third period.

SPACE

"We did what we could," remarked Wendt after the game. "We didn't let up, and in fact got stronger as the game progressed. But when you face a goaltender that is zoned in like that, there's not much more you can do. I'm pleased with our effort, but obviously not the end result. Credit their guys for getting the job done and big props to Halak. We'll continue what we're doing to break through him. Eventually we'll get our chances.

SPACE

The Remparts were led in offense by their top line. Antoine Vermette and Lee Stempniak notched a goal and an assist each and Radim Vrbata helped with an assist. Dan Boyle also got a point with an assist on Vermette's goal.

SPACE

"We keyed in on their #1 line, and they still got the job done," said Timberwolves captain, Keith Ballard. "Their shots were limited [only 21 reached Henrik Lundqvist], but they were good shots and obviously two of them snuck through. We have to get better quality shots on their guy. Because we're getting them. These guys are giving us room. We have to take advantage of that."

SPACE

Game 2 is on Thursday back at Canadian National Gardens in Thunder Bay.

SPACE

3-STARS

SPACE

*Jaroslav Halak [QUE] - 1 goal against and 41 saves in win

**Lee Stempniak [QUE] - Game-winning goal and an assist

***Antoine Vermette [QUE] - 1 goal and an assist

WOLVES DRAW REMPARTS IN FIRST ROUND

Captain Ballard hopes to lead club into and past first round of playoffs

SPACE

Thunder Bay, Ont.- The Timberwolves closed out the 2010-11 CCHL regular season with 106 points and a win on Tuesday over the North Dakota Ibex. That combined with a Denver Spurs loss, locked in the 5th overall ranking for Thunder Bay. Who will now take on the 2008-09 CCHL Cup champion-Quebec Remparts in the opening round of the playoffs.

SPACE

"It's great to be back," remarked Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt. "We pretty much did what we wanted there at the end of the season. We hoped to climb as high as we could up the standings. A tough split of two points in Beverly Hills the other day kept us from getting up to fourth. But we still played well, played sharp and avoided those dreaded late season injuries that sometimes hamper your playoff aspirations. We're excited to get going and see how we fair. It's a whole new season and anything can happen."

SPACE

In the Remparts, the Timberwolves are taking on a 12th-ranked club with their own aspirations of playoff success. The last time they were in the post-season, they won the Cup. Although this new Quebec hockey club is rebuilt, the bones are still there and the banner in their rafters has not faded.

SPACE

"We have the utmost respect for Mr. Leopardi and the Remparts," said Wendt. "Despite rankings and records, we've played close all season and we both share a 2-2 head-to-head record. If we can get our offense going early and often, that will be key. Otherwise our defenses are very similar and we both have very good goaltending. They say defenses win championships. But offense will have to be the deciding factor with this match-up. It should be a good series. Hopefully we can come out on top."

SPACE

Although lineups are still hush until likely the warm-up or even introductions, it is a given that the Timberwolves will take with them three rookies to at least start the playoffs. Centres John Tavares and Matt Duchene will still have to earn their minutes. But expect both to see their first post-season action in Game 1. With them, defenseman Carl Gunnarsson has done nothing but impress in his first go around. The Swedish rearguard played routinely in the top-6 and seen plenty of time on both the power play and will killing penalties.

SPACE

The Timberwolves take on the Remparts on Wednesday and Thursday at Canadian National Gardens. Then both clubs head to Quebec for games three and four and alternate the remaining three if necessary. The match-up is the only all Canadian contest in the first round.

WOLVES DEVOUR DONUTS IN LAST REG. SEASON HOME GAME

Streit notches second goal since joining Timberwolves

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Thunder Bay, Ont.- The Timberwolves closed out their 2010-11 regular season home games with a 2-1 win over the 10th place Wisborg Donuts.

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"It's great to finish how we started here and do this for our fans," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. Thunder Bay opened the season with a 4-2 win over the North Dakota Ibex and then went 26-11-4 at Canadian National Gardens.

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Despite putting twelve shots on Wisborg's Johan Hedberg, Thunder Bay was unable to solve the Swedish netminder, and six saves by Brian Elliott held both clubs scoreless through twenty minutes of hockey. Elliott making his second consecutive start in favour of Henrik Lundqvist who is likely to start throughout the playoffs.

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Thunder Bay's Mark Streit [pictured] broke the ice at 14:26 into the second period to make it 1-0. The Swiss blueliner scored his sixteenth goal of the season and second since being acquired from Long Island while on the power play.

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Ethan Moreau took advantage of some rare minutes on the power play to make it 2-0 for the Timberwolves at 18:32. This being defensive-specialist Moreau's second goal of the season.

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Wisborg got themselves into the game at 11:22 into the third period with a tally from from Patric Hornqvist. But a combination of heads up saves by Elliott and his team in front of him keeping the pressure and the puck in the Donuts' zone helped hold the score and finalize a 2-1 victory over Wisborg.

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"You know what? This is exactly the game we need to be in to prepare for the post-season," remarked Wendt after the game. "Fans were in it. They're in playoff-mode already, and that's great. We held in there and despite being out-hit [36-20], we controlled the puck and kept pressure on them and put alot of rubber on their goalie. They scored late to make it close, but we didn't deflate and we just kept doing what we were doing and took two points out of it."

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The win moved the Timberwolves up one spot in the overall rankings from sixth to fifth and within two points of the fourth seat.

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"Just keep knocking out wins," said Wendt. "We want to climb as high as we can. But we really want to get going in the playoffs at full speed and with our game dialed in and be as healthy as possible." Part of being healthy is rest. In this game the Timberwolves sat Marc Savard, Rick Nash and captain, Keith Ballard. In Ballard's absence, Nick Schultz wore an 'A' along with Patrick Sharp and Mike Fisher.

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The Timberwolves conclude their regular season on the road with back-to-back games on Monday against the eleventh ranked Beverly Hills Lawmasters and Tuesday against the seventeenth ranked North Dakota Ibex.

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space3-STARS

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space*Mark Streit [THU] - Power play goal

spac**Paul Kariya [THU] - 9 shots on goal

spa***Brian Elliott [THU] - 21 saves