PRESIDENTS' TROPHY IN HAND, WOLVES FACE FERRETS IN 1ST RD



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Calgary, Alb.- Despite ending the season with a 1-0 loss to the Calgary Chinook, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves had actually clinched first-overall throughout the playoffs and awarded the CCHL's Presidents' Trophy the night before when they beat the Keflavik Whalers, and the Dayton Musicmen lost to the Winnipeg Ferrets.

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Having secured their place in the post season, Thunder Bay sat many of their starters against Calgary in preparation for a first-round bout against their rival in Winnipeg.

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"This is an accomplishment we can all be proud of," said Timberwolves captain, Patrick Sharp. "It was one of our goals coming into the season, and we worked really hard to keep the pace with Dayton for the last couple months. But we cannot be satisfied. This was not our only goal, and was definitely not our ultimate goal. We have a lot of work to do and it starts with a very capable club in Winnipeg."

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For the Timberwolves, despite predictions that would say otherwise, they are taking the Winnipeg Ferretts very seriously.

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"We respect every opponent, every game," said head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "This doesn't end with a 1 versus 16 match-up against the Ferretts. They've proven they can play the spoiler [see previous win over Dayton]. They are coming here with all intentions of burying us and I can assure you, are not buying into these predictions and being swept and all that other bullsh*t. We're not either. We're treating them the way they should be treated, and that's as a formidable opponent that made the post season that isn't going to give you an inch."

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Game 1 is Saturday at Canadian National Gardens in Thunder Bay.

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Thunder Bay, Ont.- The Thunder Bay Timberwolves continued their run through the regular season with another victory over the last-place, rebuilding Reykjavik Puffin who were beat before a capacity crowd at Canadian National Gardens on Thursday by a 5-1 score.

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In the win, the Timberwolves marked another historic feat when at 7:08 in the second period, forward Rick Nash notched his 50th goal of the season. The second Thunder Bay player and third consecutive 50-goal scorer after Marian Gaborik accomplished the mark in 2010 and 2011.

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"It's a tough thing to do in the CCHL," said Nash's head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "It's a testimate to the work Rick put in in the offseason, every day, every game and every shift. He's a leader for us and a prime example of what we are all about."

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"This is not just about me," said Nash. "I play with some extrordinary linemates [Sidney Crosby and Patrick Sharp routinely] and this is their accomplishment as much as it is mine. We're given great opportunities by the coaches everyday to succeed. With the pre-game preperations and in-game execution. I will enjoy this. But it's back to work tomorrow and back to going after something special as a team here."

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Nash's 50 goals are the second most in the CCHL, behind Portland's Ryan Kesler's 53. With eight games remaining in the regular season, the Maurice 'Rocket' Richard Trophy [league's top scorer] is within grasp. But don't think that is something the big winger is thinking too much about.

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"It's not even something I've thought about honestly. Sure it's been brought up. But my focus is game-by-game and focusing on what's at task for that moment. If it happens, great. I hope to score every game. But my job is to help us win games. If I score and we lose, well... it didn't matter."

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With the Timberwolves win and a Dayton Musicmen tie on Thursday, Thunder Bay moved into a first overall tie with Dayton at 112 points. Something that as a team, the Timberwolves are strictly focused on to finish out their regular season.

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"If there is one team we pay attention to outside of our direct competition for that day, it's Dayton," said captain Patrick Sharp. "We are striving for the Presidents' Trophy and home ice throughout the post season. We don't play them again, so we need to do our jobs every game and get some help from other teams. It's one of those things, that when we get back to the room after a game, we turn on CCHL Network and see what happened in their game."

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The Timberwolves next game in Saturday at home against the Linz Black Wings [25-43-6]. A team fighting for the last playoff spot and fresh off a 3-2 overtime win over the Fort Erie Falcons.

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"They're a resilient club that are fighting for their post season lives," said Hartsburg. "Like every opponent, we'll take them very seriously and will have to play them hard and dictate the tempo with our game early and throughout."







'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.

WOLVES HOWL THEIR OWN TUNE; SHUTOUT MUSICMEN

Antti Miettinen

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Dayton, Ohio- Clicking on all cylinders, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves took the Dayton Musicmen to the wood shed on Monday in a 5-0, one-sided tilt in what many are deeming a Champions Cup Final preview.
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"We wanted to come in here and set the tempo early, and take their crowd out of it," said Timberwolves coach Craig Hartsburg. "We did that and the guys executed the gameplan to perfection. It's hard for a coach to pick this game apart and look for things to improve on. Obviously we want to keep those shots against us down [40-30 in Dayton's favour]. But Hank [goaltender Henrik Lundqvist] seems to play that much better with the more rubber he sees."
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Marian Hossa put the visiting Timberwolves up 1-0 at 10:04 in the first period for the Slovaks 18th goal of the year and second since being acquired from Copenhagen. Assists came from Matt Duchene and Marek Zidlicky.
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Rick Nash notched his team-leading 38th goal at 17:23 in the first from captain, Patrick Sharp and Sidney Crosby to close out the opening period's scoring. Lundqvist stopping all eight shots he faced.
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In the middle period, Lundqvist was clearly zoned in and stopped all fifteen Musicmen shots. Antti Miettinen's 14th from Marc Staal and James Wisniewski extended Thunder Bay's lead at 3-0 going into the final twenty minutes of hockey.
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In the third, Dayton continued to pile on the shots on the Timberwolves goaltender. But King Henrik stood tall and eventually stopped all seventeen put on him. Another tally from Miettinen and the fifth and final goal from Sharp sealed the win for the now-one-point-from-first-place Timberwolves.
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"This is a huge win for us," said Crosby after the game. "When you can control and dominate a team like Dayton, in their barn... it just proves to us how important it is to stick with a plan, play our game and we can be successful against anyone in this league. Credit our coaches for getting us ready. Hart and Walzy [Wes Walz] and all of them did a great job."
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"The guys are really high on this win for sure," said captain Sharp. "The hardest part is toning it down and getting ready for the next one. Which is these guys again at our place. They're going to be coming out to avenge this loss, and we have to be ready for it. So we'll celebrate this one on the plane back to T-Bay. But it's back to business when we land and getting back into the groove we've been in to be successful."
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As mentioned, the Musicmen travel to Thunder Bay for Thursday's back end of the home-at-home. The winner either stays first overall in the league rankings, or takes over first place.
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3-STARS
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*Henrik Lundqvist [THU] - 40 saves on 40 shots for 6th shutout of the season
**Antti Miettinen [THU] - 2 goals
***Marian Hossa [THU] - Opening goal

MOOSE ARRIVES IN WOLF COUNTRY; ROSTER SET



Johan Hedberg

Beverly Hills, Calif.- Prior to the Timberwolves morning skate on Wednesday, defenseman Nick Schultz was told by general manager, Blake Wendt that he had been dealt to the Wisborg Donuts.
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In exchange, Thunder Bay acquired goaltender Johan Hedberg to provide some insurance between the pipes for what is hoped to be a long playoff run.
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"First of all, I want to extend my sincerest gratitude to Nick and everything he brought to this hockey club," said Wendt in an impromptu press conference. "He's plays with class and is someone parents don't fear their kids looking up to. We will miss his calming influence in the room, his contributions to the Thunder Bay community and everything he and his family did for the greater good."
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"In Hedberg, we get a bona fide veteren goalie that has established himself as an elite puck-stopper when the game really matters. We are absolutely set with the tandem we have in Hank [Henrik Lundqvist] and [James] Reimer. But we really felt that if something happened to either one of those two, God forbid, then we didn't want to be in a position to have to pick up whatever goaltender was available in the free agent pool. We wanted to address that position here and now."
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"So with that said. Here on the eve of the trade deadline. Unless something comes in that knocks our socks off, then we are done. This is the team we're going in with and hopefully coming out on top."
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With Schultz heading to Wisborg, the Timberwolves iced near the same squad as they have the past couple of days and beat the Beverly Hills Lawmasters 5-2. They do not play again until Sunday back at the Canadian National Gardens when they welcome the Long Island Express to Thunder Bay. The team will stay in California on Thursday and return home on Friday afternoon.

STATEMENT MADE: WOLVES ALL IN!

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Niagara Falls, Ont.- The trade winds have been rather quite in the CCHL of late. A few minor deals and players being waived and picked up.
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That all changed on Saturday and Sunday.
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Clearly in the hunt for their first ever championship, the Thunder Bay Timberwolves splashed and made a big wave inside two weeks before the trade deadline.
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With the defending champion-Crusaders seemingly packing it in for their chances at a back-to-back, the Timberwolves pounced on their long-time foe's offer. Acquiring right-winger, Marian Hossa and stalwart blueliner, Toni Lydman in exchange for right-wingers Martin Erat and Joffrey Lupul.
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Thunder Bay's general manager sees a huge improvement in Hossa over Erat [despite exact point production], and the obvious added depth on defense for what is hopefully a long playoff run.
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"Hossa is a two-hundred-foot, every situation player that we are thrilled to have added to our lineup," said Blake Wendt fresh off arriving in Niagara Falls for tomorrow's tilt against the Thunder. "He does everything right, and at an elite level. In regards to Toni Lydman, we get one of the most underrated defensemen in the game today. He's a vet that's been around, knows the game and knows how to execute near flawless positioning every shift. A cerebral player that doesn't get near the credit he deserves. Blocks shots, carries a heavy one of his own and is just simply a guy you want on your side when you're going after the ultimate prize."
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Both Hossa and Lydman will join the Timberwolves in Niagara Falls. Hossa will wear #13 and Lydman #32.
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If that deal wasn't enough to send shivers down the backs of the league's elite, Wendt's BlackBerry was always within fingers reach, and another blockbuster deal was on the horizon.
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Since taking over the Keflavik Whalers, Brian Senecal stood pat and felt out the league before making any moves. Late Saturday, early Sunday a deal was finally struck with the more than willing Timberwolves.
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Thunder Bay-native, and older brother of Timberwolves defenseman Marc Staal, Eric Staal was acquired with defensmen James Wisniewski and Greg Zanon from the Whalers for third-string goaltender Brian Elliot, defensemen Anton Volchenkov and Carl Gunnarsson.
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Staal scored his 13th power play goal on Sunday in his final game in a Whalers uniform. One more than his new teammate, Sidney Crosby for tops in the league. Wisniewski is fifth in the league in points from a defenseman with 39, and Zanon is tied for 8th in the league in blocked shots. Joining Francois Beauchemin and Toni Lydman as one of three on the Thunder Bay roster in the top-10 in that department.
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"We have some concerns about the durability of Crosby. Bringing Staal in not only elevates those concerns, but adds to our supreme depth down the middle with one of the all-around best centres in the league. Eric is not only a vocal leader, but also one that leads by example. We look forward to adding him as a 1-2 punch with the man-advantage and up on our top line when we decide to sit Sid."
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"Wisniewski gives us another added punch to our blueline. He's a physical force in front of his net, and I know Hank [Henrik Lundqvist] and [James] Reimer will appreciate that. He also brings with him a sound defensive game and can skate with the puck or distribute it out for an offensive push."
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"Zanon is someone we've coveted for along time. We've made multiple offers for him when he played in Linz, and were outbid this summer when he was on the open market. Greg is a rock-solid defenseman that is fearless in his shot blocking abilities and is another sound defensive defenseman to add to our overall depth."
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"Overall I am ecstatic about the past 24 hours. We were serious about our intentions for this season before these moves. But with them, we are that much closer to achieving our goals. This group did not come without sending out alot of talent for their return. We moved some guys we were not actively shopping or intending to move. But in the end, we accomplished what we set out to do."
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Eric Staal will wear #12, Wisniewski #21 and Zanon #5. They will also be in Monday's lineup against the Niagara Falls Thunder.

WOLVES SHUTOUT FERRETS IN 'CLASSIC' ROUT

Lundqvist shuts out Ferrets in Classic

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Thunder Bay, Ont.- The scene was surreal in an atmosphere that brought professional hockey players back to simpler times and to where it all began.
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Today was the first of what is hoped to be an annual Heritage Classic between the Thunder Bay Timberwolves and Winnipeg Ferrets. Played outdoors and in the harsh northwest Ontario winter of Thunder Bay. To make it more picturesque, it wasn't played in some cavernous stadium in front of tens of thousands of raucous fans (although it would have been guaranteed to sell-out in this hockey-hungry community). Even with corporate sponsors on the boards and on the CCHL regulation ice, it had the coziness of only five-hundred family, friends and fans and a pine covered mountain in the back ground while being played in a typical working class, Canadian neighbourhood that made this day special.
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"It's an unbelievable feeling to be almost literally back to where it all began," said Timberwolves defenseman Marc Staal. A Thunder Bay-native whose family story is known to any hockey fan out there. The Staal family sod farm where Marc's father Henry set up his own Heritage Classic twenty years ago sits only a few kilometers away from the Northwood neighbourhood of this contest.
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"To be playing for a team in my hometown is special enough," said Staal. "But this is so close for me to where it all started for my brothers and myself. Where it all started for most of us. Right here on an outdoor rink or pond. The cold burning your lungs, the pucks hurting that much more, and yet still wanting to stay out way after mom has called you in for dinner. This is amazing."
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But not to be forgotten in all this reminiscing was a real two points at stake in a regular season game between the Timberwolves and their nearest neighbour to the west in the Winnipeg Ferrets.
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It took some feeling of each other and the elements out before a spirited bout between Thunder Bay defenseman Dion Phaneuf and Winnipeg forward Greg Campbell to make this just another CCHL hockey game.
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A little over two minutes after the fight, Rick Nash put the home club on top at 12:14 with his 24th on the year from his captain and Thunder Bay-native, Patrick Sharp and Sidney Crosby.
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Twenty-one seconds later, Nash used his long reach in to intercept a cross-ice Victor Hedman pass in the neutral zone to break away on Sergei Bobrovsky to net his second tally in the Heritage Classic.
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The Timberwolves were not done in taking advantage of the struggling Ferrets. At 15:49, Martin Erat scored his eighth of the year from Staal and Milan Lucic to put the home club up 3-0.
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A power play goal from Antti Miettinen at 18:32 closed out the first twenty minutes of hockey with the Timberwolves up 4-0.
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"Huge period right there," said Nash during the intermission. "We wanted to come out with our A-game, and take it to them early and often. This is a special game and we really want to enjoy this and make it something really memorable. But we really want and need every point in every game, so we have to keep our foot on the gas and keep going with this and then we can really enjoy this experience."
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In the second period the game came to a screeching halt. The shots tapered off, the goals ceased and the cold seemed to wreak havoc on the players hands.
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But with less than five minutes left in the frame, Crosby and former Timberwolf, TJ Oshie engaged in words first and then gloved punches before Crosby slashed his opponent before the two were separated. Earning #87 a major.
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The blood boiling in his teammates again was more major.
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"Sid plays with and edge doesn't shy away from the chirping," said Milan Lucic at the break. "The refs missed Oshie's slash before that and that's what led to what happened. If they're not going to call it, then Sid has no problem taking it back at them. We have to respect that and it really boosts the spirits on the bench when you see a guy of his caliber really sticking up for himself and really for his teammates."
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In the third period it was once again all Timberwolves for twenty minutes.
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Erat notched his second of the night at 6:59 from Matt Duchene and Lucic to make it 5-0.
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Then a pair from Crosby at 9:03 and 17:57 sealed things up and closed out the 2012 Heritage Classic with the Thunder Bay Timberwolves beating the Winnipeg Ferrets 7-0.
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"Big win in an extraordinary game," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "I thought considering all the hype leading up to this game, for obvious reasons, that we might get caught up in it and be outplayed. But I was happy that the guys were ready, enjoyed themselves, and really just kept going with the game plan. Which was to come out hard, play our game and keep them off theirs all night. We executed it line by line. But we'll take this win and this event and the two points and move on to the next one. We have to. Our next opponent isn't going to care that we just beat Winnipeg in the Heritage Classic. They want to kick our ass, and we have to prepare for that."
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The Timberwolves next game is Monday in Keflavik, Iceland against the Whalers [25-14-1]. They will be without their number one defenseman in Dion Phaneuf who was injured on a Alex Steen hit and will be out the next four days with an undisclosed 'upper body injury'.
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3-STARS
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*Henrik Lundqvist [THU] - 22 saves for 4th shutout of the season
**Rick Nash [THU] - 2 goals
***The residents of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

WOLVES DEVOUR OWLS

Francois Beauchemin

Thunder Bay, Ont.- Gearing up for their outdoor tilt on Saturday, the Timberwolves downed the visiting Portland Owls on Wednesday by a 2-1 score at Canadian National Gardens.
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Grinder, Antti Miettinen netted the only Thunder Bay goals in the game, with Sidney Crosby and Francois Beauchemin each getting a helper. Beauchemin adding three more blocked shots to place third overall in the league in that department with 41 on the year thus far.
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Something that adds to the aura of the steady blueliner that his coaches hold in high regard.
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"Beauch has been great for us since he came over [acquired on 11/11/11 with Mikko Koivu for Brayden Schenn, Shawn Horcoff and John Carlson from Calgary]," said assistant coach Dean McAmmond. "He's a versatile guy that we have played in all situations and just does everything at a high level."
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"He's just one of those guys that you have no worries about in his game," said head coach Craig Hartsburg. "A maintenance free player if you will."
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Beauchemin is an unrestricted free agent and unfortunately for the Timberwolves, will be on the open market this summer. But expect his current team to be at the front of the line when it comes to bringing back this prized defenseman.
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"Absolutely we want him back," said a matter of fact general manager Blake Wendt. "I'm probably jacking the price up for him, but I'm not going to hide the fact that we want Francois Beauchemin to stay here. We'll make the appropriate moves to make that happen."
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The Timberwolves have another home game at CN Gardens on Friday before they take on the Winnipeg Ferrets on Saturday in the inaugural Heritage Classic to be played in an outdoor rink at the Northwood neighbourhood recreation fields.
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"It's going to be an amazing experience," said Wendt. "This isn't going to played in some huge baseball or football stadium in front of 40, 50, 60 thousand fans. It's a standard rink in a working class Thunder Bay neighbourhood with seating for 500 and a pine-covered mountain as a backdrop. It's going to be magical for everyone involved, and something I hope we can do every year with Winnipeg."
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3-STARS
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*Antti Miettinen [THU] - 2 goals
**Francois Beauchemin [THU] - 1 assist and 3 blocked shots
***Henrik Lundqvist [THU] - 1 goal against and 25 saves

WOLVES DEAL FOR OFFENSE ON DEFENSE

Matt Niskanen

Thunder Bay, Ont.- On the 16th of this month a trade was made between the Victoria Ronin and the Timberwolves. Two games later, and an official announcement has been made by Thunder Bay management.
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"As many of you are quite aware of by now. We have dealt defenseman, Douglas Murray and a recent 2011 draft pick in Stuart Percy to the Ronin for defensemen, Marek Zidlicky and Matt Niskanen," said general manager Blake Wendt. "Marek has already played two games for us, and has notched an assist in each of those games. He brings another dynamic by providing some much needed offense from our back end. Our power play in particular has recieved a much needed upgrade in acquiring Zidlicky. As a UFA, he will not likely be our lone re-sign. But we may opt to try and bring him back under the right circumstances."
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"In re-acquiring Matt Niskanen [dealt on July 16, 2010], we have a player for next season that we are completely comfortable implementing as a full-time starter. Something we were not going to have the luxury of with Douglas Murray being a UFA and to be lost to free agency for nothing. We were not prepared with the prospects of that, and not at liberty to be in bidding wars next summer for defensemen. Matt has a 3-year contract at a rate well within our budget for next season. It has been cited by some that he was nothing more than a 'throw in' in this deal. For that I can say with all honesty, this deal does not happen without Niskanen in it. He's a young man, still learning the game at arguably the toughest position to adjust to the pro speed. He's had his ups and downs, but we feel that he is most definitely progressing and will continue on towards becoming a dependable blueliner, with very good speed and skating ability to go along with being an offensive threat from the back end."
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As mentioned, Mark Zidlicky has played in two games with the Timberwolves. Wearing  number 4.
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Matt Niskanen was immediately assigned to the Duluth Pups. He has been assigned the same number 5 he wore previously with the Timberwolves.

Thunder Bay, Ont.- For the first time in Corfield Canosa Hockey League history, the game will be brought outdoors!

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On Saturday, January 7th, 2012, the Winnipeg Ferrets will travel the 430 kilometres to the Northwood neighbourhood of Thunder Bay, Ontario to take on the Timberwolves in the inaugural CCHL Heritage Classic.

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The game itself will take place on the league standard 200 foot by 85 foot ice surface with full dashers and glass and played under the same rules. It will be a regular season game with points at stake. That is where everything being the same, ends...

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Located at the head of Lake Superior, a typical Thunder Bay January averages high temperatures in the -9 degrees Celsius [or 16*F].

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The rink will be located at the recreation fields of the Northwood neighbourhood on the westside of Thunder Bay on King's Highway 61, just north of the international airport and south of the Trans Canada Highway. Situated amongst a typical working-class Canadian neighbourhood, and a back drop of a pine-covered mountain, the game promises to bring hockey fans back to the days of playing this great game on backyard rinks and lakes, rivers and ponds.

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"We could have done this anywhere in the city," said Timberwolves general manager Blake Wendt. "But the essence of the game, and the roots are here. Right here in the neighbourhoods and outside. We are thrilled to invite our own closest neighbours in Winnipeg to take part in what should be an awesome experience."

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The two clubs will also don special sweaters for the event...

Available immediately for your holiday gift list at the Wolf Den at Canadian National Gardens in Thunder Bay or the MTS Centre in Winnipeg.

REIMER BLANKS EXPRESS FOR 1ST SHUTOUT

James Reimer

Uniondale, N.Y.- The Timberwolves continued their winning ways on Friday when they held the struggling Express scoreless in Long Island. With rookie netminder, James Reimer recording his first career shutout in stopping all twenty one shots faced.
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With an offense that seems to have leveled off, Thunder Bay's defense and in particular their goaltending, have become a brick wall. Now ranked 5th overall in the league.
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"It's something we knew would eventually come around," said Timberwolves assistant coach, Wes Walz in referring to the club's defense. "We have remarkable goalies and a pretty non-flashy, responsible 'D' corps and knew that our early season struggles in that department we not an accurate reflection of what we really had back there. Now we're finally starting to shine through."
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The Timberwolves players will remain in New York City for the weekend and return to Thunder Bay on Monday. They do not play again until Tuesday, when they welcome the Beverly Hills Lawmasters to Canadian National Gardens. The first of four games in four days, and five in six grueling days.
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"It's going to be a rough week, that's for sure," said centre, Sidney Crosby. "It's nice to have this extended break before. But we're really hot right now, and we would really just rather keep rolling with it."
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Other players were more welcoming of the rest.
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"Screw Sid," joked defenseman Dion Phaneuf. "I've got some Christmas shopping to do."
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3-STARS
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*James Reimer [THU] - 21 saves in first career shutout
**Patrick Sharp [THU] - The lone goal
***Francois Beauchemin [THU] - An assist and a blocked shot [ranking 3rd overall in blocked shots]

WOLVES SWEEP DAYTON IN HOME-AT-HOME

Mikko Koivu

Thunder Bay, Ont.- The suddenly hot Thunder Bay Timberwolves kept rolling on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over the tough Dayton Musicmen. The win followed a 4-0 thumping in Ohio on Sunday in the first of the home-at-home series.
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"Anytime you can pull ahead of a team sitting right in front of you in the standings, it's huge," said forward Rick Nash after the game. "That's a solid squad over there and we knew this was going to be a big test for us. I think we showed alot of people we are for real."
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Centre, Mikko Koivu opened up the game's scoring while shorthanded at 7:30 into the second period with assists from fellow Finn, Antti Miettinen and Francois Beauchemin.
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Koivu's tally was added to at 11:38 in the same period with Sidney Crosby's 15th goal from Miettinen and Nash with the man-advantage.
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Dayton would cut the lead in half at 15:47 in the third period with Corey Perry's 10th.
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But Henrik Lundqvist would hold down the fort with the late surge from the Musicmen and take the 2-1 win in front of another capacity crowd at Canadian National Gardens.
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The Timberwolves hope to keep things going as they enter into one of the toughest stretches in their schedule. First its a road trip against the Express, where Crosby comes back to Long Island for the first time since being dealt on Friday. Then there is a four day break, followed by a grueling 5 games in 6 days. Including 4 in a row.
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3-STARS
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*Sidney Crosby [THU] - Game-winning goal
**Henrik Lundqvist [THU] - 1 goal against and 31 saves
***Antti Miettinen [THU] - 2 assists
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Game notes: Milan Lucic will miss the next week of action with a lower body injury

LUNDQVIST'S 42 SILENCES MUSICMEN

Lundqvist stellar

Dayton, Ohio- Hoping his early season struggles are behind him. Henrik Lundqvist, the Timberwolves netminder made a strong case for a turn-around on Sunday by shutting out the Musicmen in Dayton.
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"Hank [Lundqvist] is the backbone of this hockey club," remarked Thunder Bay's general manager Blake Wendt. "He's an elite-caliber goalie, one of the best in the game. We need him to come through for us. But we've got to do a better job in front of him, and we have."
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Sophomore centre, Matt Duchene took some pressure off his backstop early, at 1:24 into the game for the Haliburton-native's 7th on the year from newly acquired Martin Erat and Marc Staal. The goal would stand as the only one through twenty minutes. The edge in shots going to the Timberwolves 11-9.
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In the second period was when King Henrik's star shined. While eventually stopping all 20 shots faced in the middle period, the confidence of the group in front of him grew, and tallies from captain Patrick Sharp [11th] and Dion Phaneuf [4th] put the visitors in command of the game.
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"It's huge to have world-class talent back there," said Phaneuf at the final intermission. "Hank is playing out of his mind today. We need to do a better job and limit some of those shots. But he's stellar and we're just playing with a load of confidence in pressing our game here."
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In the third period, the shots did taper off some against Lundqvist. But dramatically for the Timberwolves. Sidney Crosby though made the best of the five total shots for Thunder Bay in the period and notched his league-leading 14th at 18:24 from Rick Nash and Sharp to finish off the Musicmen by a 4-0 shutout for Lundqvist.
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The exuberance of the victory was quelled though by the head coach after the game. Obviously in an effort to not get too overly confident for the rematch on Wednesday.
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"It's a big win for us," said Craig Hartsburg. "We did alot of things right and Henrik was just outstanding for us. But we gave up alot of shots and he bailed us out way more than he should have. That's a proud group over there in the other room, and we can expect nothing but the best out of them in a couple days when they get their chance immediately to redeem themselves. We have to take this win, build on it and prepare ourselves for their push back on Wednesday."
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3-STARS
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*Henrik Lundqvist [THU] - 42 saves in third shutout of the season
**Patrick Sharp [THU] - 1 goal and 2 assists
***Dion Phaneuf [THU] - 1 goal and 1 assist

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