Miramichi Sports: Curtain Comes Down on Timberwolves Season

Miramichi Sports:  The Miramichi Timberwolves season is over after a 10-1 drubbing at the hands of the league leading, and nationally ranked, Woodstock Slammers. There was little to cheer for in this game as Andrew Mergl and Jordan Kennedy were under fire early and often. Mergl gave up 9 goals on 39 shots and Kennedy gave up 1 while facing 7 shots. The Timberwolves finish the season with a 12-36-2-2 record for 28 points and last overall. Historically, this season was the third worst in franchise history. The Timberwolves were 9-38-2-3 for 23 points in 01/02 and were 10-35-5-2 for 27 points in their inaugural season in the MHL.

One could make a case that the Slammers ran up the score in this game. The Slammers had their first line powerplay unit on the ice when most would have been content to give third and fourth line guys some ice time. The game was in hand early and Woodstock never slackened. One can appreciate that a long playoff run may be in the future for the Slammers and Head Coach Jason Tatarnic wants his charges firing on all cylinders, but letting off the gas a bit would have been the order of the day. The Timberwolves organization took the time before the game to acknowledge three 20 year-old players who were playing their final junior game. They were Phil Richer, James Williams and Marshall Worden.

Phil Richer

Phil Richer was named captain of this years Timberwolves. Richer is a heart and soul kind of player who managed a career high in points this season, his second with Miramichi. Richer has 26 goals and 18 assists and leads a young Timberwolves in points. Richer came to Miramichi last season after stints with Saint John and Baie Comeau of the QMJHL.

Marshall Worden

Marshall Worden was named an assistant captain of this years Timberwolves. Worden is a veteran and was tapped to be a captain to lead the young and rebuilding Timberwolves through a season in which it would be understood early that Miramichi would have to scratch and claw for everything they'd get. Worden has 8 goals and 11 assists to go along with 142 penalty minutes. Worden's toughness has taken him on a junior hockey journey with Junior A stops in Moncton, Woodstock and Miramichi along Major Junior stops in Bathurst, PEI and Saint John.

James Williams

James Williams has proven to be a crowd favorite during his time in Miramichi. Williams plays the game hard, honest and tough. Williams is in his third season with Miramichi coming to the Timberwolves by way of Summerside. Williams has played 72 games with Miramichi registering 2 goals and 8 assists to go along with 203 penalty minutes.

Over the course of the next few days I'll look back on the season that was for the Timberwolves and the first in which MO covered the Timberwolves and the MHL by Darcey McLaughlin and myself. Thanks for reading all season long.

-PQ