SouthernWorldwide.com – A frightening incident momentarily halted Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night, as a player sustained a facial injury from an 87 mph shot, leading to his hospitalization.
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb was seen exiting the ice, shielding his face after being struck directly by a high-velocity shot.
The puck, a slap shot from Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers traveling at 87 mph, hit McNabb squarely in the face midway through the first period. McNabb immediately dropped his stick, fell to the ice, and clutched his nose as he skated directly off the ice and into the tunnel.
The ESPN broadcast provided an update early in the second period, reporting that McNabb had departed the arena and was taken to a local hospital.
McNabb was coming off a career-defining Game 1 performance, where he recorded his first three-assist game in the NHL. He is recognized as one of the three original Golden Knights players, having been with the franchise since its inception nine years ago, and is participating in his third Final.
“Losing a player like Nabber, who plays significant minutes and is such a great teammate who plays the game with immense effort, is incredibly difficult,” stated captain Mark Stone. “They fought as hard as they possibly could.”
“Whenever you witness something like that happen to a teammate, especially to someone like Nabber who is a vital component of this team and a leader, it’s tough,” added fellow defenseman Noah Hanifin. “It’s hard to see that occur to any player on the ice. We are all just hoping for the best for him.”
Head coach John Tortorella mentioned he had no update on McNabb’s condition following the game.
The Golden Knights held a 2-0 lead in the third period but saw their advantage diminish rapidly. After the Hurricanes managed to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining, Carolina Hurricanes’ Seth Jarvis scored the decisive goal, leveling the series at one game apiece before the teams travel west.
