Referee Mitch Dunning was taken off the ice on a stretcher after a collision with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson.
The official was unintentionally clipped by Manson while the two were skating near the blueline. Dunning hit the ice hard and remained motionless. Both teams’ medical crews attended to Dunning, ultimately removing him from the ice on a stretcher.
Manson skated up to check in on the official as he exited the playing surface.
The game continued with a three-man officiating crew of referee Jean Hebert and linesmen Michel Cormier and Matt MacPherson. The NHL does not have standby officials for regular season games.
Update: Dunning was taken to a local hospital for a precautionary evalution. He was alert and able to move his hands and feet according to an update provided by the NHL.
All the best to Mitch Dunning on a speedy recovery.
