WOLVES EMBARRASSED IN WINNIPEG

Duchene's two tallies a blip on otherwise sour loss to Ferrets

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Winnipeg, Man.- Coming off of two dominating 4-1 wins against Linz and Prague, the Timberwolves were dominated themselves on Friday against Winnipeg. The Ferrets coming out on top with a 7-3 win.
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"They had our number and made their shots count," said a rather stunner Patrick Sharp after the game. "They set the tempo early, stuck with it and forced us to play into their game. Their game shut us down and credit to those guys. They are proud and regardless of what the standings say, we faced a superior opponent that wanted it more today. We've got alot of work to do in here [pointing to his heart] if we are serious about being one of the elites in this league. Because games like this leave alot of questions to be answered."
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The Ferrets jumped up early when Jussi Jokinen made it 1-0 just :11 seconds into the game. Twenty shots and another goal later, and Winnipeg was up 2-1 [Matt Duchene [pictured] scored at 17:32] going into the first intermission.
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Two more goals within the first few minutes of the second period from Winnipeg seemed to deflate Thunder Bay's bench. A goal from Ales Hemsky lifted spirits at 6:19. But a Carlo Colaiacovo blast from the point brought the road club back down again.
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A late goal from Duchene [at 18:40] brought the Timberwolves back to within three to close out the first forty minutes with the Ferrets up 5-2.
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Winnipeg did not let up none in the final twenty minutes. Solidifying their pursuit of two points by scoring one within the first two minutes and completing their dominance at 19:13 to finish off their closest rival 7-3.
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"It is what it is," said Timberwolves head coach, Craig Hartsburg after the game. "We came out flat and were knocked on our butts early. It's my job to assure my guys are prepared and ready from the opening face-off. Obviously we were not, so I take the blame. It tough to swallow a loss like this this late in the season. We should not be getting run over by anyone at this point. Hopefully the guys will wake up, lick their wounds and get their sh*t together before the next one."
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The Timberwolves next game is back inThunder Bay when they take on the Springfield Homers [26-34-10] on Sunday.
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>>>3-STARS
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>>>*Alex Steen [WIN] - 2 goals [1 PP] and an assist
>>**Jarret Stoll [WIN] - 1 goal and an assist
>***Matt Duchene [THU] - 2 goals [1 PP]