Injured Taylor: bench Wild goalie

MONTREAL -- Lightning center Tim Taylor said the stick he took across the left eye from Manny Fernandez Tuesday was intentional, and the Wild goalie should be suspended by the NHL.

"I'm not usually big on suspensions, but he intentionally tried to stick me in the face," Taylor said Wednesday.

Taylor received 16 stitches around the blackened eye, and said he lost vision for about 15 minutes.

The incident occurred with 2:55 remaining in Minnesota's 5-3 victory at the Excel Energy Center. Taylor poked at a puck under Fernandez during a scramble in front of the net. Fernandez raised his stick and caught Taylor in the face.

Taylor went after Fernandez, prompting a scuffle.

"He looked right at me," said Taylor, who left the ice bent over and bleeding. "I could see it in his eyes. He went straight at me, and the top of the stick hit me straight in the eye."

If Fernandez is suspended, it would likely be announced today.

Fernandez sent an on-ice apology to Taylor through Lightning left wing Andre Roy, explaining he was trying to move Taylor's stick. Taylor, who is expected to play tonight, was unimpressed.

"Why is he sorry, because I was hurt that bad or because he actually did it or because he's going to get suspended? I don't know," Taylor said.

"You have to pay for your actions. There's a lot less that goes on that guys get suspended for."