DOMINANCE IN CALI

Matt Duchene

Beverly Hills, CA- For the first time in what seemed like too long, the Timberwolves played a game under their terms on Monday against the Lawmasters in the 90120.
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Thunder Bay completely dominated the struggling Beverly Hills squad in every facet of the game. Shots [49-19], Face-offs [44-23], power plays [2-6 w/ the man-advantage, and 3 kills] and most importantly, the score...4-1.
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Former Timberwolves defenseman, Niklas Kronwall put the Lawmasters up early in the first, but a pair from Sidney Crosby [11th and 12th] and then Matt Duchene's 6th to go along with the burly Douglas Murray's first on the year, put the game well out of reach and solidified the victory for Thunder Bay.
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Not lost in the hype was the newly acquired, Martin Erat's first point with his new club in picking up the primary assist on Crosby's first. Erat was a member of the Lawmasters up until yesterday, and only met his new teammates on Sunday evening when they arrived in California.
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"It was kind of strange," said Erat after the game. "To get traded is one thing. But to not even leave the arena, and just move my gear over the the visitors room was kind awkward. But as soon as these guys got here, we went to dinner and they welcomed me in right away. Even with all the changes they've gone through with trades this season, this is still a really tight group. It didn't take long to feel like I belonged with these guys. I'm excited about being a Timberwolf."
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Monday's win comes at a perfect time for the Timberwolves. They have the next three days off and don't play again until Friday when they welcome Marian Gaborik and John Tavares back to Thunder Bay when they take on the Long Island Express. A game that will also be Sidney Crosby's first against the club that drafted him. Captain, Patrick Sharp and defenseman Anton Volchenkov are expected to return to the lineup from injury by then.
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3-STARS
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*Sidney Crosby [THU] - 2 goals [1 power play]
**Matt Duchene [THU] - Power play goal and an assist
***Niklas Kronwall [BEV] - 1 goal

HOBBLING WOLVES MAKE ANOTHER MOVE

Martin Erat

Springfield, Mass.- Although a top-5 club in the CCHL, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves are struggling mightily to keep pucks out of the back of their net, and maybe worse... stay healthy.
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Coming off a 2-2 tie at home on Thursday to the Brooklyn Cosmos, they took away a point and lowered their goals against average.
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On Saturday, the result was the same in Springfield against the Homers. The score, but not the health of the Timberwolves. Losing their top shutdown defenseman in Anton Volchenkov for the next week, their captain, Patrick Sharp for the next four days and who had been their second line right winger, Joffrey Lupul for the next month.
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"It's a tough card to draw there," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "We've had guys dinged up from game-to-game, and just generally nicked up pretty good for the past couple weeks. So to lose some high minute guys like this for extended periods is going to really show our true colours as a team to overcome."
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The loss of Lupul was immediately dealt with and upgraded in the announcement after the game of the acquisition of Martin Erat from Beverly Hills with a fifth round pick in exchange for three prospects and a fourth round pick.
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"This was really a deal that we've gone back-and-forth with for awhile," remarked Wendt. "Erat has been the principal player in this deal for us all along. A counter offer was received just prior to our game this afternoon, it looked good but I wanted to focus on the game at hand. The loss of Lupul pretty much solidified it for me. We were hoping Joffrey would stick on our second line, and we still do in the future. But Erat definately gives us a chance to win right now."
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For Erat, he will stay in Beverly Hills and wait for the Timberwolves to come to him. He will meet his new team on Sunday afternoon for Mondays game against the Lawmasters.
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Erat will wear #13.

DENTED DEFENSE GETTING NOTICE OVER HIGH OCTANE OFFENSE

Lundqvist struggling

Thunder Bay, Ont.- The Timberwolves have returned home to Thunder Bay after a brutal six-day, three-game road trip that started off great, and ended with many questions in hand.
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Coming off a 5-0 victory last Wednesday over a good Spurs squad in Denver, the physical Timberwolves were pushed around, bruised, bloodied and beaten in Niagara Falls, 7-3 to the Thunder. A game in which Thunder Bay had lost half of their blueline to injury before it was finally over.
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Then came last evenings contest in the River Cities, where the Renegades would skate away with a 5-2 win. A loss for the Timberwolves was bad enough, but losing another high-minute defenseman in Marc Staal was an even bigger pill to swallow.
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"It's tough to be in the competition when you're losing guys like these to injuries in big games," said Timberwolves assistant coach, Dean McAmmond back in Thunder Bay on Monday. "That's not an excuse, and we're not going to say that's why we've had these recent struggles. But we need these guys in these games in order for us as a team to be successful."
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Adding to a defensive corps that is banged up, marquee netminder, Henrik Lundqvist has not been his normal, reliable self in the net. After being injured two-weeks ago in Copenhagen, 'King Henrik' has been less than stellar--minus his shutout in Denver. But he still has the full support of his teammates.
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"We haven't done enough in front of Hank," said defenseman, Nick Schultz. "As a defense, we've all struggled to get our house in order so far. It's something that we are quite aware of, and know what we need to do. We just need to execute the game-plan."
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Coach Craig Hartsburg did admit though that maybe his number one goaltender could use a break.
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"Henrik would never tell us he wants to sit. It's his net and he'll let you know that. Maybe he didn't fully recover from his injury in Denmark. I know it's not all on him with our defensive struggles. Obviously, recently we've had issues staying healthy. But I think a little rest will be in order here soon. James [Reimer] is a capable rookie, and is itching to get out there."
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The Timberwolves players were given Monday off from practice, but did report to Canadian National Gardens for video reviews. Their next game is Tuesday at home against the Hamilton Tigers.

NASH'S PAIR LEAD WOLVES IN SHUTOUT

Rick Nash

Denver, Colorado- Two days after a marque overtime victory back at home over the league's hottest team, the Timberwolves hit the road and pummeled the Denver Spurs on Wednesday.
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"We had alot of confidence coming into this game after such a big win on Monday against Fort Erie," said Timberwolves right-winger, Rick Nash. "It's big to keep that momentum going, and huge to start off a road trip with a statement win."
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Milan Lucic set the tempo for Thunder Bay 6:55 into the game in a spirited bout with Shane O'Brien that left both combatants bloodied.
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Dion Phaneuf opened up the game's scoring at 12:08 when the blueliner intercepted an errant Paul Stastny pass and skated in alone on Pekka Rinne. Spreading the legs of the goaltender and beating him five-hole.
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A war of words between Stastny and Nash near the end of the opening period, ended with slashes and gloved punches and a pair of roughing minors for the two going into the intermission.
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"It's a rough go out there tonight," said Nash at the break. "They're trying to slow us down, and that's not working. So they're trying to get in our face and throw us off of what we're here to do. And that's take two points out of here."
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At 5:45 into the middle period Nash acted on his words and put the Timberwolves up 2-0 with his 8th of the season from Francois Beauchemin and captain, Patrick Sharp.
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Another fight in the second between Phaneuf and Denver's Ryan Wilson at 10:02 did nothing to turn the tide in the home team's favour, and at 15:17 Nash scored his second of the game. The 3-0 lead would hold through the first forty minutes of hockey.
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"We're just not going to get pushed around and be intimidated in this game or any game against anyone," said Phaneuf. "We'll stand up for each other and will not back down."
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In the final twenty minutes of the game, the Timberwolves would add a pair of goals from their captain, and Rick Nash added two more assists to his brilliant night to close out the 5-0 win.
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"Ricker was great tonight," said his centre, Sidney Crosby. "He's a big guy that makes alot of room out there for himself and for Sharpie and I. Tonight was his night, and he made the best of it."
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The Timberwolves continue their road trip on Friday when they return to Ontario to take on the Niagara Falls Thunder [8-5-0].
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Thunder Bay will be without forward, Ryan Johnson for the next month or so with a lower body injury, and winger, Colby Armstrong for the remainder of the road trip after getting in on the wrong end of his own check. Taylor Pyatt has been recalled from Duluth, and Antti Miettinen will be looked upon to up his minutes.
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3-STARS
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*Rick Nash [THU] - 2 goals and 2 assists
**Henrik Lundqvist [THU] - 27 saves in his first shutout of the season
***Patrick Sharp [THU] - 2 goals and an assist

REYKJAVIK ERUPTS WITH POWER PLAY

Milan Lucic

Reykjavik, Iceland- Despite trying to muscle their way through the re-building Puffin, the Timberwolves imploded and let the Reykjavik squad dictate the tempo and take away the win.
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With rookie goaltender James Reimer getting his second straight start in this the last of three games on a European road trip, Thunder Bay was hoping to come home with some momentum for a big game on Monday.
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Things did start out in the right direction with Rick Nash's 6th goal at 3:59 in the first period from Sidney Crosby.
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Milan Lucic doubled the lead at 6:07 with the big winger's 4th from Matt Duchene and Marc Staal.
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The Puffin's Brian Rolston drew the home team within one, nine seconds after Lucic's goal at 6:16. A short-handed goal from Blair Betts put Thunder Bay back up by two with his 2nd of the year from Douglas Murray and newcomer, Francois Beuchemin.
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The good things from the penalty killing unit would end there.
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The next and last three goals in the game were power play tallies scored by Reykjavik in the second and third periods to win it for the Puffin.
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"We gave them too many chances with the man-advantage and they capitalized," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "It's disheartening to have a collapse like that. We held a two-goal lead, had the momentum, and they simply wanted it more. We were undisciplined and thrown off our game and into one where we were chasing. Credit the guys on the other side. They have plenty of heart and never gave up."
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"I'd hope that we weren't in this game mentally," said general manager Blake Wendt. "It seemed to me that we were looking past these guys and looking forward to getting home and taking on the hottest team in the league. We can't look past anyone."
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The Timberwolves next game is at home on Monday against the red hot Fort Erie Falcons [10-1-0]
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3-STARS
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*Brian Rolston [REK] - 2 goals [including game-tying on the power play]
**Sami Lepisto [REK] - Game-winning power play goal
***Jeff Skinner [REK] - Power play goal

WOLVES DEAL FOR KOIVU / BEAUCHEMIN

>>>Reykjavik, Iceland- The wheeling and dealing of the Thunder Bay Timberwolves continued on 11.11.11. Coming off the heals of the acquisition of Joffrey Lupul four days ago, Blake Wendt and his staff picked up centre, Mikko Koivu [pictured] and defenseman, Francois Beauchemin from the Calgary Chinook. In exchange for highly-touted prospects Brayden Schenn, John Carlson and centre Shawn Horcoff.
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"There are so many reason for us to make this deal," remarked Wendt after landing in Iceland with his club for their game on Saturday against the Reykjavik Puffin. "First, we've coveted Mikko for a long time. He's a complete player. Great size, dominate in the face-off circle, plays a 200 foot game and is a natural leader. We feel that what he provides us now and in the future out-weighed what Brayden Schenn would bring to us. Immediately, Koivu replaces Horcoff in our lineup. An upgrade there as well. In order to move Horc and his contract, we needed to add to the deal with John Carlson. Someone we were not looking to move, but in the end it had to be done. Finances are real concern to this hockey club, and these heavy-hitting contracts just cut too deep. In order to move Carlson from our blueline, we needed another defenseman in return. Beauchemin is a perfect fit for the role we had open on our back end. We need to protect our goalies better, open up shooting lanes and block more shots. Francois provides us with all of that. So, while we would rather not continue to move out prospects, there are times that deals like this make sense to further stabilize this organization while not hurting us is our immediate, ultimate goal."
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Koivu has been assigned jersey number 8, and Beauchemin number 28. Both are expected to be in the lineup on Saturday against the Puffin.

REIMER GETS 1ST IN AUSTRIA

Linz, Austria- It what could be described as an ugly game in Linz, Timberwolves rookie goaltender, James Reimer won his first career win in his second career start. His first three nights ago in Thunder Bay ended with Henrik Lundqivst taking the win with a single save and two minutes in net after Reimer left with an injury.
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"It felt good to get this one," said a gleaming Reimer after the game. "The guys battled in front of me to clear lanes and give me good looks."
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The Manitoba-native was given a nice cushion early, when Milan Lucic put the Timberwolves up 1-0 just :36 seconds into the game. Followed by Matt Duchene's 4th at 4:57 and Rick Nash's 5th at 15:48,  before the Black Wings finally snuck one past Reimer to close out the first period with Thunder Bay up 3-1.
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Linz would get to within one in second period, before Colby Armstrong pulled the Timberwolves away by two again.
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A Martin Hanzal tally in the third brought the hometeam Black Wings back in it, but Reimer was stellar in stopping 18 shots and notching his first win in his young career.
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"It's great that Reims finally got this one," said Nash. "He fought hard and really held us in it there in the third. He stood on his head for us, and we have to play stronger in front of him. Full credit for this one goes all the his direction."
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"They say that first wins or first goals buy dinner," quipped Reimer. "I owe them big time, so I think it's worth it. Will definately be the biggest tab I ever have paid. Hopefully they like Icelandic cuisine." Referring to the Timberwolves next game on Saturday against the Reykjavik Puffin.
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"We'll get him back in Canada," said defenseman Dion Phaneuf. "I'm not eating any of that sh** over there [in Iceland]."
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3-STARS
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*James Reimer [THU] - 33 saves in first career win
**Milan Lucic [THU] - Goal and an assist
***Rick Nash [THU] - Goal and an assist

LUPUL ACQUIRED FROM LAWMASTERS FOR KRONWALL

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Somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean- As the Timberwolves traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark to take on the Crusaders on Tuesday, their general manager quietly sat at the front of their plane continuing to wheel and deal from his Blackberry.
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As players slept, Blake Wendt sent defenseman, Niklas Kronwall to the Beverly Hills Lawmasters in exchange for winger, Joffrey Lupul.
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"It's tough to move a guy like Nik out," said Wendt in a brief statement to the media on-board the Airbus 330-200. He's an incredible defenseman that has a cannon from the point and hits like a freight train while still being smart and not usually getting caught out of position to do so. But we were having a tough time getting him in our lineup with our depth. He's not a minor-leaguer and he deserves better than playing on a practise squad in a reservist's role. With Joffrey, we're getting a solid point-producing top six guy that oozes with talent and just needs to harness it in. He's on a three year deal as opposed to Kronwall being unrestricted. We wouldn't have made this deal if Lupul wasn't locked up for a couple years. We feel he can be a legitimate scorer here and fit in nicely on our scoring lines. Especially how next year looks to pan out for us there."
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Lupul is likely to join his new club sometime during their six day, three game trip to Europe, but not likely tomorrow in Copenhagen. He has been assigned jersey number 19.

RESPONSE TO CROSBY TRADE

From Fort Erie Falcons GM, Matt Young as posted on the CCHL homepage:
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High Risk vs. High Reward – The Sidney Crosby trade

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The week in the CCHL saw Sidney Crosby change addresses, with Sid packing up his gear and heading off to the northern region of Thunder Bay. To acquire Crosby, Thunder Bay had to part with the fast developing John Tavares and when-healthy star winger Marian Gaborik in the deal with Long Island.
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This is the definition of high risk vs. high reward. There is absolutely no doubting that Crosby is the best player in the game of hockey, however that best player is somewhat of a long term risk due to his current concussion problem. If Crosby is healthy, I’m not even sure we see this transaction happen but in the interest of protecting the long-term health of their franchise Long Island made the bold move and got a great return given the circumstances. In examining the return, one must note that the game’s 2nd best offensive player was moved last season for a package that was headlined by Chris Stewart and Ondrej Pavelec. I have to say it is a great move for Long Island in acquiring the young Tavares and Marian Gaborik, given what the market could have been for the injured center.
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After reading the above paragraph, you are probably thinking that I am against this move for Thunder Bay given that I really think Long Island improved their team with this deal; but I also think the same of Thunder Bay. It’s high risk for what should be a contending team for the CCHL championship and if healthy, Crosby could propel the team offensively in the playoffs. I also see the merit that Blake Wendt had in making the deal, as it is not every day a generational player and best player in the game becomes available to you. Despite the injury risk, you have to take the chance in acquiring the player if you believe the injury is not an injury that will be a detriment to the player for the remainder of his career.
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This transaction is one of those rare win-win trades for both teams – today. This trade could become very lopsided one way or the other over the long-term. There is no doubt Thunder Bay is hoping they bought low and win big with Sid the kid.

WOLVES WIN WITH LUNDQVIST IN REIMER'S DEBUT

James Reimer

Thunder Bay, Ont.- The humble young man from the outskirts of Winnipeg who was impressive all summer and earned a backup role for the Timberwolves, finally got his chance on Sunday afternoon to show why he is here. Unfortunately for James Reimer, fifty-eight minutes of playing time before being injured, wasn't enough to officially earn his first CCHL win. Even though his team skated away with the two points in victory.
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"Reims played like a vet out there today," said captain Patrick Sharp. "He wasn't tested alot, but the shots he stopped were good shots. He was poised, calm and just didn't get rattled like you kind of would expect for a guy playing in his first pro game. It's too bad he didn't get credit for the win. It was his game."
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With two minutes left in the third period, and the game tied 1-1, Reimer faced his 18th shot and it caught him high between his mask and the shoulder portion of his chest protector. Henrik Lundqvist's night off was over at that point and Sharp scored the winning goal :44 seconds later to claim the win for Lundqvist and his single save in two minutes of play.
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"I feel bad," said Lundqvist after the game. "James did all the work and I come in, face one weak shot, Sharpie scores and James doesn't get anything. Well, he does get the game puck. We'll caulk this up as a win, even if it doesn't go down in the books as one for Reims."
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A win is a win though, and the Timberwolves are clicking on all cylinders as they embark on a weeklong trek across Europe. First with the defending Cup champions, Copenhagen Crusaders on Tuesday, the Linz Black Wings on Thursday and finishing up in Reykjavik to take on the Puffins on Saturday before returning home.
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3-STARS
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*Patrick Sharp [THU] - Game-winning goal and an assist
**Sidney Crosby [THU] - Goal and an assist
***Rick Nash [THU] - 2 assists

WOLVES MAUL KILLERS

Sidney Crosby

Thunder Bay, Ont.- Thursday was a game of firsts for many Timberwolves players.
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Centre, Sidney Crosby was welcomed by the Thunder Bay faithful in his first game at home since being acquired on Sunday. The Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia-native paid them back with a power play goal and two assists.
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Defenseman, Dion Phaneuf notched his first two goals with the Timberwolves and had the primary assist on Crosby's tally.
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Probably the biggest goal came off the stick of rookie defenseman, John Carlson. His first career CCHL goal.
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In the end, the Timberwolves took advantage of a rebuilding Karlstad sqaud, hit them up for two power play goals, outshot them 36-16 and beat them handidly by a 6-1 score.
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"It's a great feeling to contribute here and play in front of such enthusiastic fans," said Crosby after the game.
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The Timberwolves remain at home for their next tilt on Saturday when they take on the Wisborg Donuts [1-5-0].
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3-STARS
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*Sidney Crosby [THU] - Power play goal and two assists
**Dion Phaneuf [THU] - Two goals [1 power play] and an assist
***Mike Knuble [THU] - Goal and an assist

BIG MURRAY IN FOR DINGED UP STAAL

Thunder Bay, Ont.- Defenseman, Douglas Murray [pictured] has been promoted from the practise squad and will dress for Thursday's game against the Karlstad Killers.
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Murray is in for the injured Marc Staal who will sit for this one game while continuing to recover from a shot block on Monday in Portland.
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"Douglas will pair with [Jordan] Leopold on the third pairing for now and likely see some time on the penalty kill," remarked Timberwolves head coach after Wednesdays skate at Canadian National Gardens. "The status on Marc is what we would call a 'lower body injury'. He's got a nice thigh bruise and some soreness, and we feel it's better for him to sit a game, recoup and there's no reason to keep playing with a nagging thing all year and need time off later in the year when we might really need you."
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Staal is the second Timberwolves player to sit after blocking a shot. Centre, Matt Duchene was struck in the cheek, below his visor on opening night and missed the next three.

WOLVES ALL IN; DEAL FOR CROSBY

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Thunder Bay, Ont.- On the eve of Halloween the Thunder Bay Timberwolves went trick-or-treating early and dealt for arguably the best player in the CCHL, Sidney Crosby from the Long Island Express. The price was steep though, and two-time 50-goal-scorer, Marian Gaborik and '09 first overall pick, John Tavares were sent the other way.
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But when a "once in a generation" player is on the table, you move on it according to Timberwolves management.
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"When we inquired about the availability of Sid, and the door wasn't slammed, we made sure we didn't insult Gayle [Zuk, Express' GM] with a joke of a deal," said Blake Wendt. "We weren't actively shopping Gaborik or Tavares, and were perfectly content with what they provided to us. But you simply cannot ever pass on a player of Sidney Crosby's level when there is the remote chance you can either draft them, trade for them or sign them when they are there for you. I don't have to explain to anyone that knows anything about this game what we're getting here. Sid is a special player that doesn't come around every year, or five years or ten. When someone is spoke of in the same breathe as Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe and Richard... you know what you're getting. We are absolutely ecstatic that Sidney Crosby is a member of the Thunder Bay Timberwolves Hockey Club."
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Crosby was in the lineup for the Timberwolves when they beat the Owls in Portland 6-3 on Halloween night. But the jet lag of traveling all day from Linz, Austria [where the Express had just played the Black Wings] to Portland, Oregon was visible. He played 12 minutes, had no points, took no shots and finished +1 with 2 hits.
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Also, one of the more surprising things was the number worn by Crosby. Not his customary 87, but instead the number 9 that had previously been worn by Matt Duchene. Crosby last wore number 9 when he played for Shattuck St-Mary's prep school in Faribault, Minnesota before tearing up the QMJHL with Rimouski in his 87. The reason for the number change was simple for the Timberwolves. No one on the active roster wears a number higher than 35 as mandated by the hockey club. Duchene changed to number 21. In honour of his childhood hero, Peter Forsberg.
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Timberwolves fans will get their first glimpse of their newest player on Thursday when they welcome Crosby home against the Karlstad Killers [0-4-1].