Wild forward Marcus Foligno ejected for kneeing Stars’ Radek Faksa

Mike Gould
Mike Gould
Wild forward Marcus Foligno ejected for kneeing Stars’ Radek Faksa
Credit: Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota Wild forward Marcus Foligno was ejected from Tuesday’s playoff game against the Dallas Stars for kneeing Radek Faksa.

Foligno was assessed a five-minute major penalty for kneeing (served by Ryan Reaves) and a game misconduct on the play, which occurred just 2:14 into the first period.

Faksa had to be helped off the ice after the hit but returned to the game later in the first period. Tyler Seguin scored eight seconds into the ensuing power play to give the Stars a 1–0 lead.

The Wild and Stars are currently tied at two games apiece in their Western Conference quarterfinal playoff series. Game 5 at American Airlines Center in Dallas kicked off at 7:00 p.m. CT.

Foligno, 31, collected 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) and 97 points in 65 games with the Wild during the 2022–23 regular season. He took two minor penalties in Minnesota’s 3–2 loss to Dallas in Game 4 and criticized the officiating in his post-game media availability.

The Wild took a 2–1 series lead through three games in the series before suffering their Game 4 setback on Sunday. They currently trail the Stars by a 2–0 score (Jason Robertson has the other goal) late in the first period of Game 5.

This isn’t the last time Foligno has come under fire for a kneeing incident. During February 2022, Foligno was doled a two-game suspension for kneeing Winnipeg Jets forward Adam Lowry. The following month, he was fined for a knee on then-Columbus Blue Jackets forward Jakub Voracek.

It remains to be seen whether the NHL Department of Player Safety will issue any supplemental discipline to Foligno before the Wild and Stars reconvene for Game 6 at Xcel Energy Center on Friday.

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