New York Rangers defenceman suffers brutal injury after being struck in the face by a wayward slap-shot.
New York Rangers defenseman Marc Staal was struck near the eye by a deflected shot Tuesday in a frightening moment in the third period of the Rangers’ 4-2 NHL victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Staal departed the contest at 5:45 of the third after a slapshot by the Flyers’ Kimmo Timonen was deflected by Jakub Voracek.
The puck struck Staal, who plays without a visor, near his right eye. He crumpled to the ice bleeding profusely before he was led to the locker room.
Staal, who missed the first 36 games of last season after suffering a concussion, has two goals and nine assists in 21 games this lockout-shortened season.
“It’s a tough, tough one,” said Rangers right wing Rick Nash – who scored the go-ahead goal and the insurance goal in the third period.
“We’re hoping the best for him,” added Nash, although the team had no immediate update on Staal’s injury after the game.
Ryan Callahan notched two early scores for the Rangers, who were without Brad Richards after he was hurt on Sunday following an illegal check by Buffalo’s Patrick Kaleta.
Wayne Simmonds and Voracek scored power-play scores for the Flyers, who nevertheless fell below .500 (11-12-1).
Warning: This is a nasty injury, you may not want to watch it.
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