Cal Clutterbuck's swing at Maxim Lapierre strikes linesman's face

Vancouver Canucks' Maxim Lapierre, left, checks puts Minnesota Wild's Cal Clutterbuck (22) into the Canucks' bench during a fight in the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011, in St. Paul, Minn. Both players received 10-minute misconduct penalties. The Wild won 5-1. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

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.