Marc Savard was not with his team for the end. The Ottawa-native remained in Denmark for further medical evaluations in what is described as a severe concussion after a devastating blindside hit by Crusaders defenseman Craig Rivet when Savard was carrying the puck into the offensive zone. Rivet was not penalized on the play.
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The Timberwolves were blunt during the intermissions and after Game 5 about their intentions of 'taking issue' with Rivet. Who has a not-so pleasant past with the Timberwolves after taking out Patrick Sharp with a similar hit last season for over a month when Rivet was a member of the Niagara Falls Thunder. But with having to win more than anything, retribution would have to wait.
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But after seven minutes of ice-time, Rivet was rocked behind the Copenhagen net with a thunderous hit by TJ Oshie that left the glass cracked and the Crusaders defensemen needing assistance off the ice to the jeers of the normally pleasant Timberwolves faithful.
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In the end, Thunder Bay needed the win more than the payback and with only the payback... their season ended on home ice.
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"It's been a great season. The best this organization has ever been apart of," said Timberwolves general manager, Blake Wendt after the game. "But right now it stings. Not one guy in that room expected to do anything but when it all. That's a mentality that's taken time to get to. It's a mindset that isn't going anywhere anytime soon. But today our season ended and we have alot of decisions to make in the offseason to get even further next season. Those decisions aren't easy, and we will have a different look for sure. I'd like to congratulate Bruce Niblett and the Copenhagen Crusaders for advancing to the Final and finishing the regular season as the best. We're sure to meet many more times in the post-season for sure."
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As for the offseason, the Timberwolves first task is addressing which restricted free agents they plan to re-sign, trade or release. The unresticted free agent re-sign appears to be defenseman Jordan Leopold. After that there is the Entry Draft that starts in early July. A draft that the Timberwolves currently only hold five picks in the later rounds. Something that Wendt has mentioned will change before the draft begins.
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"We'll be busy working the phones for the next week or so and the ground work going on some things with other clubs that we've not addressed while actively trying to seek a championship," said Wendt. "We'll see what the market is like as everyone should be trying to move assets in and out setting themselves up for free agency and the draft and for next season. This is when titles are built."
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