NHL star carried from ice on stretcher after – Sports News
Switzerland’s Kevin Fiala was carried off the ice on a stretcher Friday after a terrifying collision late in a 5-1 loss to Canada on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
With roughly 2:50 remaining within the third period, Fiala turned tangled alongside the boards with Canada’s Tom Wilson. The Canadian defender earned scathing criticism online from some spectators who labeled the hit “unnecessary” and one other who added that the Olympics have been “no place for a dirty hit” just like the one which occurred.
Canadian followers known as it a “freak accident,” saying Wilson could not control the place he landed. As they fell, Wilson landed on the NHL star’s left leg, which twisted awkwardly in an unnatural bend.
Fiala instantly pointed towards his skate in seen misery and was unable to put any weight on the leg. Medical employees rushed to the scene, and he was finally positioned face down on a stretcher.
Fiala’s left leg was reportedly secured in an air solid, and he was then wheeled off the ice as gamers from each groups tapped their sticks in assist. Officials didn’t assess a penalty on the play.
The web responded instantly, describing the choice as “absolutely horrible” and “super unlucky.” For Switzerland, it was a devastating blow, as Fiala is among the many nation’s main offensive gamers.
He recorded one help in two preliminary-round video games, together with a helper in a 4-0 win over France on Feb. 12. The Swiss now sit 1-1 in Group A and face a important matchup in opposition to Czechia on Sunday to find out seeding.
For the Los Angeles Kings, the priority extends past Olympic standings. Fiala has 40 factors (18 objectives, 22 assists) in 56 NHL video games this season and is important to their playoff push. Los Angeles resumes play on Feb. 25 after the Olympic break, which can have an effect on their Western Conference race.
Fiala has a historical past of accidents. During the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs, he suffered a fractured femur in one other extreme lower-body harm that required a stretcher and surgical procedure at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.
Other NHL gamers have additionally already been sidelined during the opening days of the Olympic event, together with Canada’s Josh Morrissey and Finland’s Niko Mikkola. The Florida Panthers defenseman was seen limping after making an attempt to dam a shot during Finland’s 4-1 win in opposition to Sweden.
Morrissey’s left leg harm in opposition to Czechia occurred during Canada’s opening sport of the event. Olympic hockey has up to now delivered drama, upsets, and progressive moments, together with the NHL’s MS Paint spotlight workaround, which circulated to bypass NBC’s broadcast restrictions.
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