Wild's Marcus Foligno suspended two games for kneeing Jets' Adam Lowry
In the third period of Tuesday's game between the Minnesota Wild and Winnipeg Jets, Wild forward Marcus Foligno appeared to end a fight with Jets forward Adam Lowry by kneeing his opponent while both were down on the ice:
Foligno initially earned a minor penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct but has since received a more appropriate punishment.
The NHL Department of Player Safety announced Thursday that Foligno has been suspended two games, without pay, for kneeing Lowry. That crime will cost Foligno $31,000 in salary, and the money will go to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
"It is important to note that this is an intentional decision by Foligno and not a player accidentally falling or stumbling onto his opponent," an accompanying video explained, per Gavin Lee of Pro Hockey Rumors. "Foligno clearly and intentionally uses his knee to inflict force on the head of his vulnerable opponent.
"We have heard Foligno’s argument that this was not a violent knee strike or an exceptionally forceful blow, and we agree. It is only the relative lack of force on this play that keeps Foligno from being subject to much more severe discipline for an action that is unacceptable for an NHL player to perform."
Additionally, the league noted Foligno’s lack of history in the explanation for what some may consider a relatively short ban.
The 28-11-3 Wild will begin Thursday evening third in the Central Division standings with 59 points, one point back of the second-place Nashville Predators and two ahead of the fourth-place St. Louis Blues. Minnesota will be without Foligno for Saturday's home game against the Carolina Hurricanes and Monday's home matchup versus the Detroit Red Wings.
Per ESPN stats, Foligno is fifth on the Wild with 27 points (17 goals, 10 assists) recorded in 40 games this season.
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