Further controversy unfolds from Marcus Foligno’s knee-on-knee hit

Some fans are calling for Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno to be suspend, others want the NHL to leave him alone and slow down all the penalties he’s been assessed in the first round series against the Dallas Stars.

Well, you’ll get none of the above.

According to insider Michael Russo of the Athletic, “The chance of Foligno being further disciplined by the league is miniscule.”

There are reportedly little chances that the NHL Player Safety department calls Foligno in for a hearing after he was assessed a major penalty after he caught Stars forward Radek Faksa with a knee-on-knee hit in Game 5 last night.

Faksa was able to avoid what could have been a significant knee injury and returned to the game, which might have helped Foligno’s case. When asked about the hit, the Wild forward wasn’t as vocal as he’s previously been on the officiating but wondered why he was ejected from the contest.

“A major, I don’t know,” Foligno said. “I don’t agree with it obviously. I’m keeping my lane, and it’s unfortunate we both hit in that leg area. I wouldn’t say it’s a knee-on-knee. I hit him on the upper area. He’s rotating out of the way. I don’t move my leg at all. I stay my course. That’s how I see it.

“If you want to give me a penalty, for sure, but a five-minute and a game misconduct to throw us out of here, yeah, I just don’t agree with that.”

Through five games, Foligno has collected 35 penalty minutes, including two misconducts. Dallas has scored four PPGs on Foligno penalties.

While it may be good news for some fans that Foligno will not get further discipline from the NHL for the hit, it was definitely the turning point in the game. The Stars got the 4-0 win and could not close out the series in Minnesota on Friday.

Unless Foligno stays composed and disciplined and can help his team push the series to an ultimate Game 7.

Recommended articles:

• Marcus Foligno ejected after dirty knee-on-knee hit
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• Dean Evason forced to make a last minute change due to injury.
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