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