SAN JOSE, CALIF. – Marcus Foligno wasn't just a participant in a first-period fight with the Sharks' Nikolai Knyzhov.
He also played official and pulled the plug on the tussle once it turned bloody inside SAP Center, a clash that set up the Foligno's third career Gordie Howe hat trick in the Wild's 6-2 romp Monday night at San Jose.
"I thought it was enough," he said.
The rugged winger wasn't looking for a fight.
"A stick kind of gets up in the groin area, and you're not too happy about it," Foligno said. "That stuff happens, and it's part of the game."
After dropping the gloves, Foligno's right hand connected with Knyzhov's left eye a few times and the San Jose defenseman was bleeding. The two struggled a bit longer before Foligno motioned for the referee to break up the fight, and then Foligno skated away from the 22-year-old Knyzhov.
"Good on him," Foligno said. "I give that kid a lot of credit. I think there's things you do when you're young to answer the bell and you have to do it and you gain a lot of respect from your teammates. So, I'm sure he got that tonight. But there's no point. Move on. I thought it was kind of over after a couple of punches. That's all. I've had guys let up on me before. It's just respectful."
The fight was the beginning of a Gordie Howe hat trick because once Foligno left the penalty box after sitting for his fighting major, he immediately set up a Wild goal – passing off to linemate Ryan Hartman, who handed the puck off to Ian Cole for the defenseman's first goal with the Wild and the eventual game-winner. Foligno then went on to score himself, a floater that caromed off a Sharks player and into the net later in the second period.
