Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal was injured in a collision with linesman David Brisebois in Tuesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.
Staal was racing Anaheim forward Derek Grant to a loose puck along the boards. Linesman David Brisebois, positioned on the blueline, had nowhere to go as the two players converged. He hopped up on the dasher in an attempt to get out of the way. Staal crashed into the official, his head and shoulder absorbing most of the impact.
The Wild center remained down on the ice where he was evaluated by the team’s medical staff. Staal was able to exit the ice under his own power, but did not return to the game.
“He apologized. It wasn’t much he could do,” Staal said of the linesman. “It happened fast and he tried to jump. I told him he must be working out because it was a heavy hit, one of the hardest I’ve taken. I’m just glad I was able to come back.”
Brisebois was not injured on the play.
