Canadian National Gardens (Thunder Bay)-The Thunder Bay TImberwolves entered their Friday night contest at home with some changes in lineup against the Lahr Lynchjustiz.
While in Copenhagen, the Timberwolves traded Stephane Veilleux to the Springfield Homers for a second and fifth round draft picks in 2009.
Prior to their morning skate on Friday another move was made.
Veteren forward, Brendan Shanahan (pictured) was acquired from the North Dakota Ibex along with the Ibex's second and third picks in 2009. Thunder Bay also recieved their fifth round pick back (traded in offseason for Tyler Eckford). All for just taking Shanahan and his three year, $4.5 million dollar contract from the cash-strapped Ibex.
"We're not in the greatest if financial situtation either," said Timberwolves GM, Blake Wendt. "But our player payroll is one of the lowest in the league. Some might argue that Shanny's contract is an ugly one. Especially at his age and that he may retire after this CCHL season. While I don't disagree with the risk in eating much of his contract, we felt that the package of draft picks coming back were well worth the risk. This looks to be a comparable, if not better draft class, and just as deep. If Brendan does return and is a productive player through his contract, it's all bonus for us. His leadership and big game experience will be a valuable asset for sure for this season."
With Shanahan in the lineup, the Timberwolves also went with a rookie goaltender in Karri Ramo in net. Ramo was called up from Duluth in the morning due to Josh Harding's injury.
"Ramo had a great training camp and was one of our last cuts to start the season," said head coach, Craig Hartsburg. "He took what he got out of our camp and is playing great down in Duluth. We felt that he would be better off getting some game action right away instead of just sitting on the bench."
The game started off with three unanswered goals for the Timberwolves. The first two from Patrick Sharp and the third from their captain Keith Ballard. Alexei Kovalev brought Lahr back with within one, and the second period ended with Thunder Bay up 3-1.
In the third, the Timberwolves would add three before Lahr would score once more. Final score was 6-2 Thunder Bay. The most goals scored this season by the Timberwolves and the first career CCHL victory for Ramo.
3 STARS
#1 Patrick Sharp (THU) - 2 goals and 2 assists
#2 Karri Ramo (THU) - 23 saves and 2 goals against in first CCHL win
#3 Sergei Kostitsyn (THU) - 1 goal and 2 assists
Thunder Bay takes on the Ferrets in Winnipeg tonight.
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