Canucks’ Philip Larsen leaves game on stretcher after hard hit (Video)

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Philip Larsen went off the ice on a stretcher after a hard hit from Taylor Hall knocked him out. 

A scary situation in New Jersey has occurred on Tuesday, Dec. 6. During a game between the Vancouver Canucks and the New Jersey Devils, defenseman Philip Larsen was hit in the head by Taylor Hall. He appears to be unconscious before he hits the ice. Larsen had to be carried off on a stretcher. Hall didn’t get a penalty on the play, but the hit will likely get a second look by the Department of Player Safety.

By NHL standards, this appears to be a clean hit. Larsen makes a horrible mistake by putting his head down. Hall doesn’t target the head, and it appears this hit is more of a collision. However, this doesn’t make the hit any less terrifying. These kinds of hits are scary because there’s nothing that can be done to prevent them. They take place in hockey and are virtually inevitable, but it sure doesn’t make them any less unfortunate.

Update: In very good news, Larsen was awake and responsive on the ice.

Because it’s a clean hit, Hall likely won’t face supplementary discipline. Players in similar situations haven’t been suspended. Hall has a clean record, which is beneficial to his chances. There was also a bit of a fight after the hit, but to be fair, the Canucks just saw their teammate hit the ice hard with very little context. Much like a mother bear defending its cub, it’s easy to see why they’d jump to the rescue of Larsen.

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This is unfortunate because the defenseman had just started to get regular playing time for the Canucks. A veteran in his sixth season, this is Larsen’s first year with the Canucks. After spending four years with the Dallas Stars and a year with the Edmonton Oilers, he went to the KHL. Over this offseason, Larsen signed with the Canucks.