'A Dirty Play': Jesper Wallstedt Blasts Blues Goalie Joel Hofer For Hit On Kirill Kaprizov

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt wasn't happy with what he saw from St. Louis Blues netminder Joel Hofer on Thursday night.

Late in Minnesota's 5-4 victory over St. Louis, Hofer delivered a hit on Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov that forced the forward to leave the game.

Following the win, Wallstedt didn't mince words when asked about the incident.

"I think it's a dirty play," Wallstedt said. "There's no reason for him to go out there and not play the puck and just play the player. He knows, everyone knows, that's one of our best players. Up 5-2, there's just no reason as a goalie to do that."

Wallstedt, who understands the position better than most, took particular exception to Hofer initiating contact with an opposing player outside his crease.

"If they give me a penalty when players are skating through my crease, they should give him penalties for being outside the crease, hitting guys," Wallstedt said.

Despite his criticism, Wallstedt made it clear that his frustration was with the play rather than Hofer personally.

"I like him as a guy," Wallstedt said. "I thought that was an ugly play from him."

Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes also weighed in on the incident following the game, agreeing that the officials made the correct decision.

"Yeah, I mean, it was clearly a penalty. Refs made a good call," Hughes said. "Was happy that he's OK. Just saw him, and yeah, that's what we'll say about that."

As for Blues' captain Robert Thomas?

"I mean you’re asking for me to get in trouble here. Everyone can throw their own opinion. I get why he called it. But, I don’t think the intent was there. I think he was trying to put his stick on the puck, is what it looked like from my angle. But it happens fast, I didn’t have a chance to look at it."

The incident added a contentious ending to a game in which Minnesota's top offensive players helped the Wild overcome a lengthy list of injuries.

But for Wallstedt, the final result didn't change his opinion of Hofer's decision to make contact with one of Minnesota's most important players.

And judging by his comments afterward, the Wild goaltender wasn't interested in keeping that opinion to himself.

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