WOLVES WIN!

THUNDER BAY, ON, Canada- It's been far too long for the Timberwolves and their always faithful fans since the hockey clubs last win. That finally ended on Saturday night.
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No one associated with the Wolves has made any excuses for this season. The fans show up for every home game and fill CN Gardens to capacity. Everyone knows that there is a light at the end of this long tunnel.
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There are big things on the horizon. As early as next season there should be several players from the farm in Duluth fighting for roster spots.
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There's the upcoming draft, where Thunder Bay currently holds fourteen picks. Two in the top five and three in the top thirty. Obviously the team hopes to nab the OHL phenom, Steven Stamkos. Only a draft lottery puts a damper on those aspirations. But the Timberwolves would be more than happy with anyone in that top five.
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But on Saturday night, there was something of more immediate importance. To win.
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It seems simple enough. It should be the goal for every game, for every team. But for this team, in this inaugural season the wins are hard to come by. They've been challenged more in recent days by managment and the coaches to tighten up their skates and finish this season with a couple more wins.
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The goal is of course to finish out these last eight games with eight wins. But at this point, management will settle for two numbers in the wins column.
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The game itself on Saturday was against Springfield. Thunder Bay was outshot 28-43, only had one powerplay opportunity. But still managed to score five goals past Peter Budaj, while Antero Niittymaki (pictured) was solid in stopping forty shots. The Timberwolves won 5-3 in front of 19,434 (sellout). Joe Pavelski scored a goal and added an assist for TB. Teammates Keith Ballard and Jason Krog added two points with two assists.
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Thunder Bay gets Sunday off. They play again on Monday in Hamilton.