Referee Tim Peel was injured during Thursday night’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Arizona Coyotes.
The veteran official was run into by a falling Jonathan Toews, who came down with the stick on Peel’s right skate. The Hawks captain appeared to be tripped by by Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Play continued as Peel headed directly to the nearest players’ bench – that of the Coyotes. He hopped over the boards and headed down the tunnel where he received treatment from the medical trainers.
Peel suffered a fractured ankle on the play according to NHL Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom.
The remainder of the game was officiated by a three-man crew of referee Kendrick Nicholson with linesmen Mark Shewchyk and Brian Mach.
Peel is in his 21st season as an NHL referee, having made his league debut on October 21, 1999. He’s worked 1,331 regular season games along with 90 playoff appearances.
Best wishes to Tim Peel on a speedy recovery!
