Vegas Golden Knights Star Jack Eichel Dealt Controversial Spearing Major

The Vegas Golden Knights paid a visit to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday afternoon and things got interesting when each team's biggest star — Vegas' Jack Eichel and Minnesota's Kirill Kaprizov — came together in the neutral zone.

That run-in ended with the first major penalty of Jack Eichel's career, and a goal for Kaprizov.

It was 0-0 in the second period when Kaprizov and Eichel came together. Kaprizov sent Eichel sprawling to the ice — with what could have easily been a crosscheck — something that enraged the former Boston University standout.

It looked like he wanted a piece of Kaprizov, and he got one, the only problem was that he got it with the blade of his stick.

Eichel was handed a five-minute major for spearing, which was upheld upon review.

Take a look for yourself and see what you think.

Kind of a tough one, right? Looked to me like Eichel wanted to do something to Karpizov, but the spear itself seemed unintentional.

However, as ESPN's Dave Jackson pointed out during the broadcast, there is no minor penalty for spearing, only a major. That meant the referees could have switched the call to something like slashing and dished out a minor, but it was tough to overlook the fact that there was a bit of a spearing motion involved.

It wasn't the most egregious spear we've ever seen, but I think they probably made the right call.

At least you hope they did because it wound up being consequential.

On the ensuing five-minute powerplay, the Wild found the back of the net, and who do you think was responsible for it?

Of course, it was Kirill Kaprizov (which is cool because it brings the story full circle, but extra cool because he's on my fantasy hockey team).

Vegas knotted it at 1-1 in the third period forcing the game into OT, then this one really got wild. Both teams can use a point, but the Wild especially needed two points to even sniff a playoff spot.

However, Minnesota — for the second time this season — pulled the goalie in overtime. it worked the first time against Nashville… not this time.

Vegas' Jonathan Marchessault drilled an empty-netter from his own zone to win the game to seal a 2-1 win. That meant that Minnesota lost its loser point. That's a massive blow to their playoff chances.

It's a real shame since the Wild had capitalized on the opportunity presented by the Eichel penalty. However, you've got to respect the gamble.