Errant punch hits linesman instead

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ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The fight between Minnesota's Cal Clutterbuck and Vancouver's Maxim Lapierre was intense enough to get an official involved.

Literally.

Clutterbuck was tied up with Lapierre in front of the Canucks bench late in Thursday's game when the Wild forward swung blindly and inadvertently hit linesman Darren Gibbs in the face instead of Lapierre.

Gibbs didn't appear to be shaken. But Clutterbuck was fired up. He drew a 10-minute misconduct and declined to comment after the game.

Lapierre and teammate Dan Hamhuis also were given misconducts. Hamhuis appeared to grab Clutterbuck from the bench while Lapierre had him in a bear hug. Wild coach Mike Yeo said Clutterbuck was "just trying to protect himself" and didn't express concern about discipline from the NHL.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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