Thomas Thomas Vanek Head Butts Puck Out OF Zone (gif)

Check out this move by Wild Forward Thomas Vanek.

(Video) Brett Sutter check on Craig Cunningham

It almost looks like Minnesota Wild forward Brett Sutter caught Cunningham with an elbow in the chops. You make the call. That being said, it didn't look like interference to me.

Patrice Bergeron's Fluky Goal (VIDEO)

In the box score it will read, Patrice Bergeron (6) Wrist shot - ASST: Brad Marchand (11), Zach Trotman (4). In my opinion, it's God Awful goaltending by Niklas Backstrom.

Nino Niederreiter Penalty Shot

GIFs: reason for penalty shot- http://t.co/6CnmTfBpRK Niederreiter penalty shot goal- http://t.co/SiFM17KzQX
— Steph (@myregularface) December 17, 2014

Scandella Gets Two Games

Minnesota defender, Marco Scandella, looks to move the puck last week against the
Montreal Canadians. Minnesota won the game 2-1.

Recently reported today, the Department of NHL Players Safety has given out a two game suspension to Minnesota Wild defender Marco Scandella.

In Tuesday night's contest against the New York Islanders, Scandella came across in his defensive zone and caught Brock Nelson in the head with an elbow. During the contest, Scandella was given a two minute minor penalty for illegal contact to the head.

Minnesota fans may argue that how can he get a penalty and suspended when there was no penalty for the Ballard hit earlier that night? The difference in the two hits was if you notice, Ballard turned and tried to brace himself for that lethal hit, which may have created greater injury to him. However, it still doesn't make the hit right and probably should have been given a minor penalty on the play. However, the Scandella hit is his second offence of the season, the first coming in the form of a fine for another elbow to the head of St. Louis forward TJ Oshie.

Wild Defenseman Marco Scandella Has Hearing for Hit on Brock Nelson

I said this last night (See Below) that Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella did learn much from being fined. I think that Scandella will end up being suspended for his hit on Brock Nelson. Apparently, he has a thing for former UND hockey players.

Minnesota defenseman Marco Scandella will have a hearing this evening for an illegal check to the head of NY Islanders forward Brock Nelson.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 10, 2014

Scandella didn't learn much from his fine. I think the NHL "could" give him a one game vacation.
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) December 10, 2014

Related articles

• Marco Scandella Hit on TJ Oshie(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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(Video) Matt Martin Hit on Keith Ballard

"It's a dirty vicious hit, up high, he put Ballard into the Glass," Minnesota Wild color commentator Mike Greenlay said.

You can decide for yourself what you think of the hit. I agree with Wes Walz, it's a questionable hit. It's in the grey area. The thing that might do Martin in, he came from a long way to hit Ballard and he was injured on the play.

If you watch the video, it looks like an elbow "might" have made contact with the head.

#mnwild Keith Ballard is conscious and has been taken to @RegionsHospital for further evaluation and observation. #NHL #isles
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) December 10, 2014

Related articles

• Keith Ballard Hip Check on Adam Pardy(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Keith Ballard hits Corey Perry with a Legal Hit, Fights Nate Thompson

If you haven't seen this, it's worth a look. Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard hits Anaheim Ducks forward Corey Perry with a clean, hard, hip check. Unfortunately for Perry, he was knocked out of the game with a knee injury. Below is the embedded video of the fight in question.

Just for the record, last time the Ducks and Wild played, the Ducks were taking runs at the Wild players. So, they really have no room to complain about this hit.

Marco Scandella Hit on TJ Oshie

Marco Scandella is lucky that he only got a fine for this hit. A $2800.00 fine is chump change to a guy like Scandella.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella has been fined $2,755.38, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie during NHL Game No. 351 in St. Paul on Saturday, November 29, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

If you haven't heard the news, Marco Scandella was fined for his illegal check to the head of T.J. Oshie in Saturday's game
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) December 2, 2014

Monday Night Links

I never thought one of my articles would make the Minnesota Gophers SBNation blog, but it did.

This is 1st. My article made the Daily Gopher. The Student Section: Episode#8. http://t.co/RENj5aoRGL pic.twitter.com/LkxZ6YT80T
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) December 1, 2014

The Inside Hockey Power Rankings are back. Zach Hawkins is now in the mix.

This season, we’re adding Zach Hawkins to the mix, you can follow him at @Siouxhockey33. Hawkins is the Minnesota Wild and college hockey blogger for Inside Hockey. If you’re not familiar with Taylor Seibel you can follow him on twitter at @taylorseibel. Seibel was a college hockey blogger for the now defunct The Hockey Writers-Combine.

NCHC POWER RANKINGS: Welcome to the Inside Hockey Power Rankings. Taylor Seibel and I return for another seaso... http://t.co/rJpZj3JtYA
— Inside Hockey (@insidehockey) December 2, 2014

Reminder: Time running out on this Cyber Monday deal to watch No. 1 UND this weekend. pic.twitter.com/VsaXVNA4v2
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) December 1, 2014

Zane McIntyre is the goalie of the week in the NCHC.

Junior goalie McIntyre earns NCHC weekly honors http://t.co/a8jPqyaqE7
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) December 1, 2014

Keith Ballard Hip Check on Adam Pardy

Nice hip check by Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard on Adam Pardy. Big Buff and Pardy take exception and the Wild go on the power play. Of course the Wild's powerless play failed.

Ballard at least attempted hip check on Adam Pardy, and Big Buff and Pardy retaliate
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 16, 2014

Mike Yeo: Zach Parise has a concussion

#489866461 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild received some bad news on the status of Zach Parise. According to Minnesota Wild coach Mike Yeo, Parise has suffered a concussion. In Parises' absence, Thomas Vanek is going to be reunited with former line mate Jason Pominville. The two played together when they were teammates with the Buffalo Sabres.

Parise has a concussion, says Yeo #mnwild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 6, 2014

Mike Yeo updates Media on Zach Parise

Yeo met with media today to give an update on Parise and talk about the road trip. WATCH on WildTV: http://t.co/JAIGYjvg0H #mnwild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) November 5, 2014

This is not good news for the Minnesota Wild. Zach Parise is a key player in the Wild's lineup.

Updated: Zach Parise Injured - Upper Body Injury

#457967354 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise is injured and not skating at the morning practice. Hopefully, he won't be out of the lineup too long. Zach is the heart and soul of the Wild. According the Minnesota Wild, Parise will not be going on the road trip.

Russo's Rants -- The Wild dropped its first home game of the season tonight to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the biggest concern after the game was the status of Zach Parise, the Wild’s leading scorer and heart and soul.

Parise didn’t emerge for the third period after sustaining what coach Mike Yeo called an upper-body injury. There were two big collisions I remember with Parise tonight. One came his first shift when he was bowled over from behind by Robert Bortuzzo. The other came 5:44 into the second when he was cross-checked the ice by Blake Comeau in the slot. Comeau received an interference penalty on the play.

So perhaps the injury stemmed from one of those two hits.

Yeo didn’t reveal the seriousness or nature of the injury postgame. He said he hoped to have a better update after practice Wednesday and said “I sure hope not” when asked if he felt it was serious. The Wild does leave after practice for a trip to Ottawa and Montreal (it’s actually a 3-game trip that also goes to Parise’s old home, New Jersey, but the Wild returns to Minnesota for a day-and-a-half after the Canadiens game), so the hope obviously is that Parise is on that charter to Canada’s capital.

Yeo: Parise not on the road trip (upper body injury). Meeting with doctors today. #MNWild
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) November 5, 2014

RT @BlountStrib: Parise not on ice at Wild practice Wednesday morning.
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 5, 2014

BLOG: Zach Parise injured in #mnwild's first home loss of the season http://t.co/wDpL0crEK0
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 5, 2014

Russo: NHL watching, but Thomas Vanek's agent reiterates client is in no criminal trouble

Interesting... It appears that Thomas Vanek spent over 1 million dollars on football betting.

Michael Russo, Star Tribune --- While the National Hockey League said Friday it will continue to keep an eye on a federal illegal gambling and money laundering case in Rochester, N.Y., that Thomas Vanek has testified in as the government’s prime witness, the Wild forward likely won’t face league discipline unless he faces criminal charges or bet on hockey.

Vanek’s agent, Steve Bartlett, told the Star Tribune Friday that “Thomas is not in any way, shape or form involved in any illegal activities or in trouble here.”

Vanek bet on football and was paying off a gambling debt, according to Bartlett.

Vanek’s in the news again because a defense attorney for a man who pleaded guilty to illegal gambling and conspiracy to launder money Thursday alluded to the fact that the check his client helped launder came from Vanek while he played for the New York Islanders.

In an interview with WHEC-TV’s Berkeley Brean in Rochester, N.Y., lawyer Jim Wolford, who represents Mark Ruff, said the $230,000 “check that was identified as far as the money laundering was a New York Islander check.”

Torey Krug Injured after Slash from Zach Parise (Video)

Yesterday it was announced that Boston Bruins defenseman Torey Krug will be out for 2-3 weeks with a broken finger. Now we know how Krug broke his finger, watch the slash from Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise.

Should Minnesota be 8-0-0 Right Now?

#457967436 / gettyimages.com

The Minnesota Wild have had a dominating play style in each of their first eight games of the season, but little errors have not allowed them to win games that they probably should have won. The power play alone could be the biggest factor in all of this.

As of last night, only Buffalo and the Wild were the only two teams in the NHL without a power play goal in this young season, however, it is not for the lack of trying in the case of Minnesota. They are among the top in the NHL in power play shot attempts, but just have not been able to find the twine as of yet. A team will average three to four power plays a game, and the good power plays will usually score one out of every five power play opportunities. The Wild have all the tools in place to be considered a power play elite, but their current power play misfortunes are costing them games.

Lets look at Monday night's game at Madison Square Garden. The Wild went 0-4 on the power play, including two five minute major opportunities. If the Wild score on one of these, this game is sent at least to overtime and they earn a valuable point in the standings. That being said, I am not trying to make excuses for the epic third period collapse, just trying to say if the shoot first power play was finding the net on one in five chances, they very well could be 8-0-0 right now.

The season is long and I am sure once one goes in, they will gain their confidence back and pucks will start going in with the extra man. Who knows, maybe two birds will be killed with one stone if Thomas Vanek is able to score the first power play goal for Minnesota.

John Moore Suspended Five Games for Dirty Hit on Erik Haula

I was hoping for a longer suspension. Rangers defenseman John Moore is a repeat offender and was suspended just last spring during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Apparently, he didn't learn his lesson from the last suspension that he received.

NEW YORK -- New York Rangers defenseman John Moore has been suspended for five games, without pay, for an illegal check to the head of Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula during NHL Game No. 122 in New York on Monday, October 27, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

Moore is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and, based on his average annual salary, will forfeit $51,859.75. The money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.

Moore was assessed a match penalty 7:12 into the second period.

For a full explanation of the Department of Player Safety's decision, complete with video, please click on the following link.

Related articles

• (Video) John Moore's head shot on Erik Haula

Rangers John Moore to Have Hearing for Dirty Hit on Haula

The NHL's Department of Player Safety will have an in person hearing with Rangers defenseman John Moore for his dirty, high, dangerous hit on Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula.

Scott Lewis, Sports Net -- New York Rangers defenseman John Moore will have face a supplementary discipline hearing as a result of his check to the head of Minnesota Wild forward Erik Haula on Monday night.

John Shannon on Twitter: “Let’s get that right…John Moore will have a hearing for hit on Haula…while still no indication on Kreider on Brodin.”

Moore is a repeat offender: Last season, the NHL suspended Moore during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs for two games for a dirty hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Dale Weise. As history tells us, a suspension during the Stanley Cup Playoffs are usually shorter than the regular season.

Ryan Kesler Hits Mikael Granlund at the End of the Game With Unnecassary Hit

I know this is about four days late, but it's something that I feel strongly about. This hit on Ryan Kesler on Mikael Granlund with .02 seconds left in the game is unnecessary.

Second, Kesler is one of the biggest frauds to play the game of hockey. He dives and embellished up and down the ice. That in my opinion cheapens the game of hockey and is poor sportsmanship. This is also the reason why I don't like the rule that prohibits fights after five-minute minute mark of the third period.

46.12 Instigator in Final Five Minutes of Regulation Time (or Anytime in Overtime) - A player who is deemed to be the instigator of an altercation in the final five (5) minutes of regulation time or at any time in overtime shall be assessed an instigator minor penalty, a major penalty for fighting, and a game misconduct penalty, subject to the conditions outlined in 46.22.

This rule gives players the ability to run around the ice and take runs at other players, without fear of retribution. With that bush league move, Kesler should earn himself a beat down the next time the Wild play the Ducks.

Michael Russo thought that the Ducks were taking runs at the Wild in the second and third periods.

The Ducks, getting dominated like Boudreau asserted, definitely tried to go after the Wild’s lesser players physically in the second and third periods. Ryan Getzlaf went after Jonas Brodin all game, and once Coyle jumped to Brodin’s defense. Astonishingly, referee Eric Furlatt gave Coyle four minutes and Getzlaf two (nothing for two cross checks on Brodin) and no extras for Anaheim even though both Getzlaf and Matt Beleskey removed their gloves to fight. The ignored calls on Anaheim and the fact the Wild wound up on the PK turned the momentum bigtime for several minutes here. The Wild still escaped though.

Again, the Wild seem to run into the refs that are having bad performances on the nights the Wild are playing. That's fine, maybe the Wild should start taking runs at the other teams star players if this behavior continues.

The fact that Ryan Kesler thinks that play at buzzer is OK.... That's a problem. #protectedbyrules #heknowsit
— Mike Rupp (@Rupper17) October 18, 2014