During the close game, Sidney Crosby's aggressive play against Brock Faber, a promising rookie for the Wild, caught attention. Crosby was seen wrapping his hands around Faber's head, with his stick making contact with Faber's face, a move that surprisingly avoided penalty calls, suggesting possible preferential treatment by the officials.
Despite the controversy, the Minnesota Wild locked down a 3-2 victory over the Penguins, with Faber being a key part of it.
Faber's significant ice time and productivity, especially as a defenseman, place him among the top rookies and present him as a strong contender against Bedard for the award.