Team Canada defenceman Evan Bouchard had a scary injury scare after crashing hard into United States defenceman Ryan Lindgren in their IIHF World Championship quarterfinal game. Bouchard looked shaken as he was assisted off the ice by trainers, prompting immediate concern from officials, players and fans.
It quickly became one of the biggest NHL news roundup stories of the day, with increasing concern about Bouchard’s condition and what punishment Ryan Lindgren will receive. The Edmonton Oilers star had been one of Team Canada's top defensemen all tournament before the dangerous play swung momentum in the high-intensity quarterfinal clash.
Ryan Lindgren hit injures Team Canada defenseman Evan Bouchar
Ryan Lindgren
received a major penalty and game misconduct for a dangerous hit on Evan Bouchard in Canada's quarterfinal game against the United States.
During a heated stretch of the matchup, Lindgren came in with a hard hit on the play that appeared to directly hit Bouchard in the head area.
Bouchard was helped by medical personnel to slowly skate to the locker room. A few Team Canada players approached Lindgren after the play, and the officials went to review the play before confirming the misconduct penalty on the U.S.
defenseman.
Coming into the game, Bouchard was one of Team Canada's most productive blueliners in the tournament. The Edmonton Oilers defenseman had already put up some quality offensive numbers with several assists and good power-play production in previous games.
That dangerous collision could now prompt questions over possible supplemental discipline and Bouchard’s availability going forward. Team Canada has not released a full injury update on the 26-year-old defenseman, but early comments from players and coaches suggest concern over the severity of the hit.
The incident also prompted immediate responses all over NHL updates discussions online, with many fans condemning the play while others debated if the contact was worthy of an ejection.
That’s where we stand now, with Team Canada supporters and Edmonton Oilers fans still waiting on additional medical evaluations on Evan Bouchard’s status after the scary quarterfinal injury scare.