ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A bloodied Andrei Zyuzin left the
Minnesota Wild's 3-2 win over Phoenix in the second period Tuesday
night after being checked face-first into the boards by Shane Doan.
With less than a minute to play in the period, Zyuzin played the
puck on the sideboards in Minnesota territory. A split second after
he shoveled it out of the Wild zone, Doan crashed into Zyuzin and
sent him face-first into the glass.
Zyuzin crumpled to the ice and lay in a pool of blood for
several minutes, eventually leaving with a towel over his face.
Wild defenseman Willie Mitchell immediately chased down Doan at
center ice and started throwing punches.
Doan did not receive a penalty for the hit, which did not appear
to be dirty, but did get five minutes for fighting.
Mitchell received five minutes for fighting, two for instigating
and a 10-minute misconduct penalty.
Zyuzin walked around the locker room after the game with tape
covering a huge gash above his right eye, which may make it
difficult for him to wear a helmet.
He said he felt fine and was hoping to play Thursday against
Nashville.
When asked if he thought the hit was dirty, Zyuzin said, "I
don't know. I didn't see the guy, it was so quick."