Michael Ferland immediately becomes villain of Wild-Canucks series

Michael Ferland wasted no time identifying himself as the villain in the best-of-five qualifying series between the Minnesota Wild and Vancouver Canucks. 

Just 1:19 into the opening period of the Wild’s 3-0 win Sunday night, Ferland dropped the gloves and fought Minnesota’s Marcus Foligno. 

But it was a cheap shot in the middle of the third period that really put Ferland in the spotlight. 

Trailing 2-0, Ferland got caught up near the Wild bench and Luke Kunin held onto his Ferland’s stick for a moment. When Ferland regained control of his stick, he used it like a spear and jabbed Ryan Hartman, who was standing next to Kunin, in the stomach. 

Hartman fell backward and the rest of the Wild bench had words for Ferland, who didn’t get away with the cheap shot. He was hit with a slashing penalty and sent to the penalty box for two minutes. 

No word just yet if the NHL will review the incident. 

Game 2 of the series is set for 9:45 p.m. Tuesday.