Returned from his suspension of indeterminate length, Tom Wilson demonstrated the ineffable essence of Wilsonity in the first period of his very first game back.
He scored a goal. And he was assessed a penalty. All for the same play.
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Wilson was quiet until a rush attack in the final minute of the first period. Dmitry Orlov carried the puck as Wilson crashed the net. Orlov sent the puck to Wilson, who fended off Ryan Suter in pursuit.
The puck beat Minnesota goalie Devan Dubnyk, but then he and Wilson and Suter collided. Dubnyk slammed into the back of the net.
The goal stood, as it should, since the puck crossed the line first. But the refs could not forgive Wilson for crashing into Dubnyk… even if it looks like Suter both initiated it and made most of the contact.
Wilson was assessed a goalie interference call. Probably wouldn’t have happened if Dubnyk didn’t stay down. Or if Tom weren’t Tom.
So that’s one goal and one penalty in one game. Tommy’s really back, y’all.
