'WE ARE NOT SATISFIED'



Rick Nash

Thunder Bay, Ont.- According to the Chinese, 2012 is the year of the dragon.
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According to some in the CCHL and most definitely those in northwest Ontario, 2012 is the year of the Timberwolves.
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As the frozen ponds of the northland thaw (did they ever really freeze during this mild winter?), and the hearty people of Thunder Bay and surrounding communities ready their boats and load up on mosquito spray, there is still that extension of winter to be played at Canadian National Gardens for what many hope ends in the raising of a banner in the fall.
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"It's getting exciting here (in Thunder Bay)," remarked Timberwolves assistant coach, Dean McAmmond. Who spent parts of three seasons as a player here before coming back as a coach. "There's always a passion for the game here, and a love of this hockey club. But it amps up this time of year, and especially this year when so much is expected of us. We are hopeful to deliver, and confident we will make them very proud."
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Thunder Bay currently sits 2nd overall (52-14-6 110 points) behind the Dayton Musicmen (53-14-5 111 points) with 10 games left in the season. The playoffs are more than secured. Tuesday's match-up with their cross-province rival and 3rd-place, Fort Erie Falcons (49-17-6 104 points) concludes the regular season games against their Ontario brethren. Already clinching the inaugural Golden Oar Challenge with a 9-1-1 record against the other Ontario-based hockey clubs (next closest is Fort Erie at 5-4-2; Niagara Falls 5-6-1 and Hamilton 2-10-0), the Timberwolves are set for the post-season. Or are they?
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"Absolutely not. We are not set. We are not satisfied," said forward Eric Staal. "We want the Presidents' Trophy and home ice throughout. We are not content with just making it and playing whoever, wherever. We want to win as many games as possible in front of our own fans."
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The players, coaches and fans want so much more for this team. But they have already won so much this season. Literally.
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They've won more games already then they ever have (previous high was 48).
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They're on pace to score more goals then ever, and allow less then ever.
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For the third year in a row, they are likely to have at least one 50-goal scorer (Rick Nash currently has 48 and Sidney Crosby 41).
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But lets make one thing very clear. Of all of these team and individual accomplishments, there is still only one true goal that matters...
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Win the CCHL Champions Cup.
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That is all that matters.