It looks like there will be no supplementary discipline for Minnesota’s Erik Haula after a scary collision with Dallas netminder Kari Lehtonen that has the goaltender out indefinitely.
In the third period of Saturday night’s tilt with the Wild leading 3-2, Minnesota forward Erik Haula went crashing into the Dallas net, taking out goalie Kari Lehtonen. The collision sent Lehtonen’s helmet flying. It appeared that Haula was tripped on the play by Stars defenseman Cody Eakin.
Haula was given a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct. The Stars scored on the ensuing power play and went on to win the game 4-3.
Erik Haula goes hard into Kari Lehtonen and gets a charging major. Lehtonen is bleeding and getting treated.
— Mike Heika (@MikeHeika) March 9, 2014
Lehtonen down in the crease after Erik Haula runs him over in the crease. He's cut and heading down the tunnel. Tim Thomas in net.
— Mark Stepneski (@StarsInsideEdge) March 9, 2014
Lehtonen is sidelined indefintely. “It’s a concussion,” head coach Lindy Ruff said. “When he starts feeling well, he’ll start exercising again.”
The Stars’ goaltender lost his helmet on the play and suffered cuts to the face and to the back of his head, which hit the crossbar.
Scary scene has Kari Lehtonen went down hard when Erik Haula took it to the net. Look where Lehtonen's helmet is. pic.twitter.com/DYTNDjOljD
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) March 9, 2014
Newly-acquired goalie Tim Thomas will take over crease duties for the Stars. Christopher Nilstorp has been called up from the AHL to back up the veteran.
Referees for Saturday night’s Wild/Stars game were Mike Hasenfratz and Mike Leggo.
