WINNIPEG — After five days of being vilified north of the border by Winnipeg Jets fans and their coach alike, Wild left wing Marcus Foligno was exonerated Friday morning in advance of Game 5.



Foligno’s so-called “punch” to the back of Tyler Myers’ right knee after Foligno stumbled and fell to the ice after blocking a shot last Sunday had nothing to do with the injury that kept the 6-foot-8 defenseman out of Game 4 two nights later. That confirmation came right from the lips of Myers himself Friday morning during his press scrum when asked by The Athletic.



Myers pronounced himself good to return to Winnipeg’s lineup for Friday’s potential series-clinching game for the Jets.



“I just remember it being an awkward play,” Myers said.



Myers said Foligno, who played with him in Buffalo, texted him to apologize. Foligno said Myers told him right away the injury was not Foligno’s fault. It’s...