Wild's Marcus Foligno asks linesmen to break up fight as he bloodies Sharks' Nikolai Knyzhov

Fighting is part of the NHL, but so, too, is sportsmanship.

During the first period of Monday night's Minnesota-San Jose game, Wild forward Marcus Foligno and Sharks defenseman Nikolai Knyzhov got into a fight.

It was the first fight for Knyzhov, who was playing in his 20th NHL game. It was the 45th career NHL fight for Foligno since he entered the league in 2011-12.

It was a mismatch as Foligno tied up Knyzhnov and landed several big right-handed punches, cutting the defenseman's face.

But Foligno, realizing his opponent was bloodied, called for the linesmen to break up the fight. Knyzhnov tried to get in a punch, Foligno gestured again and the linesmen stepped in.

Foligno then recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick (goal, assist, fight) by just past the midpoint of the game as he drew the secondary assist on an Ian Cole goal at 3:36 of the second period not long after he finished serving his fighting penalty.

He then scored at 10:48 on a shot that deflected off Nicolas Meloche's stick and floated past goalie Martin Jones for a 4-1 lead.

It was the third Gordie Howe hat trick of Foligno's career.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marcus Foligno calls off fight after bloodying Nikolai Knyzhov