Last night's turning point was a penalty called on Chris Porter for a high stick on Kris Letang. Now the official did a very poor job on the ice in real time because Porter's stick is clearly down and his body motion never comes up. But that said it is a fast game and the officials often make calls off the result of a play as was evidenced on this play. Letang was actually hit by his teammate Olli Maatta's stick.
This should be a coaches challenge and would have very easily been cleared up, no penalty, no power play, no goal, no coach's challenge on that goal, Wild timeout still at Coach Yeo's disposal.
I am not one to blame the outcome of a game on the officials and who knows what may have happened had the penalty been over turned. The point is there have been other incidents where with an expanded video challenge calls on the ice could have been corrected. I am not talking about opening coaches challenges to more subjective calls, only to clear black and white rules cases.
Now to the Olli Maatta hit by Nino Niederreiter, I am not in total agreement with Jeremy Roenick on his assessment of this hit, but his point of players need to show respect is on the mark. I think that was an unfortunate circumstance and yes Niederreiter did not have to give Maatta a shove in the back. I don't see that as a suspendable hit. When it happened in fast motion my exact words were "OH NO!!!!" I knew Maatta was seriously injured and the play continued. I didn't care about the play I cared about the player. As a hockey fan I was concerned about Maatta's condition.
After watching it over and over yes Niederreiter gives Maatta a shove in the back, no I don't believe that was premeditated nor vicious. But if he does get a game suspension to set a precedent so be it. Player safety is very important and requires strict enforcement of the rules. Like JR said at the end of the day hockey is one big family.
Next up for the Wild, the Bruins in Boston tomorrow night