NHL referees and linesmen are a tough group. It’s not just players battling through pain to stay on the ice — the officials are often forced to do it, too. The latest official to be taken out by the players is referee Tim Peel. At the 12:14 mark of the first period, San Jose Sharks defenseman Scott Hannan took out Ryan Garbutt of the Dallas Stars. Garbutt slid right into Peel, knocking him to the ice. Peel landed heavily on his right side.
He was helped off the ice and headed to the locker room for repairs.
Peel was also injured about a month ago, when he suffered a broken rib after getting hit by the puck.
About that toughness? Peel was back on the ice before the end of the period.
