Pretty standard goings-on until after the final horn, as Minnesota defenseman Brent Burns decided to roll the dice on an involuntary (actually, very voluntary) vacation, using his right hand to steady the face of Florida forward Steve Bernier, as his left hand – gripping the stick – goes all hole-puncher on Bernier’s dental work. Remarkably cheap, idiotically pointless, and served only to pad the D-man’s penalty stats with a 5-minute fighting major (no opponent cited) and a game misconduct. Logic would expect a phone call to the Minny coaching staff by old friend Colin Campbell within a day or so. For the same reason, don’t hold your breath.
Bernier left the ice only with help on both sides of his body; certainly appeared to be more than a wind-knocked-out deal.
Otherwise, Tomas Vokoun – given a minimal amount of shots to work with – stopped 22 as Chris Higgins (3) and Mike Santorelli (3) both sent wristers past Jose Theodore (25 saves) within 54 seconds of each other during the first frame. It was collectively enough to hold off the Wild, even with a ten-shot third period.
Notes: Higgins led in SOG with 4, followed with 3 by Dmitry Kulikov and Radek Dvorak (in his franchise-record 574th game as a Panther). Dennis Wideman led FLA with 26:38 TOI. Michael Frolik’s five-game point steak was snapped. David Booth had no points, 1 SOG. Cal Clutterbuck (5) scored for Minnesota, assisted by Nick Schultz and Martin Havlat. Helpers for Florida: Kulikov, Dvorak, Rostislav Olesz, Dennis Wideman. More from Hockey Wilderness here.
Next up: Saturday from Philadelphia; Live Game Chat at 6:30.
Update: video of the Burns/Bernier tussle here.