Wisborg, Sweden- For the Thunder Bay Timberwolves the 2010-11 season has been the hottest start since their inception in 2007. But since the halfway mark of this season, they have been anything but spectacular. That did not change in the Kingdom of Sweden. Losing to the Donuts 5-3, and their third in the last four games.
>>>The recent acquisitions of Ryan Getzlaf and Alex Ovechkin for Wisborg, shined on Friday. Having scored or been apart of four of the Donuts five tallies.
>>>"They had our number today," said Timberwolves forward TJ Oshie [pictured] after the game. "Getzlaf's line was killer and we didn't have an answer for them. We didn't match their intensity and work and we paid for it."
>>>"It's frustrating even from the press box to see an opponent completely dominate you," said Timberwolves GM Blake Wendt. "From the first shift we were on our heels and it was all up hill from there. They controlled the game and we just couldn't get into any kind of groove."
>>>Despite hockey being very much a 'team' game, the Timberwolves are clearly missing Anton Volchenkov on the blueline. Since losing their Russian defenseman, Thunder Bay has allowed 14 goals against in the last 3 games. Some are not so convinced it's such a simple answer though.
>>>"Of course we're a better club with Volch out here," said captain Keith Ballard. "But we've simply gotten off our game. We're not getting into it from the drop of the puck and teams are taking it to us. Maybe it's complacency, maybe it's just a lack of respect for our opponent. But we've all got to get our heads and our hearts in it. The talent is not lacking... maybe it's a mental thing. Whatever it is, we need to get our heads out of our asses."
>>>The Timberwolves play again on Sunday in Iceland against the last place Reykjavik Puffin.
>>>
>>>3-STARS
>>>
>>>*Mikael Samuelsson (WIS) - Hat trick and an assist
>>**Ryan Getzlaf (WIS) - 1 goal and 3 assists
>***Alex Ovechkin (WIS) - 3 assists
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