Washington Capitals farmhand Aaron Ness had to be stretchered off the ice following a scary incident in the first round of the AHL's Calder Cup Playoffs on Friday night.
The 28-year-old defenceman, who's currently playing for the Hershey Bears went head first into the end boards after being tangled up with Bridgeport Sound Tigers' (New York Islanders) Travis St. Denis, causing him to crash into the goal post and subsequently slam headfirst into the ends boards.
The injury occurred at 8:58 of the third period at the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Pinching up into the play on a two-on-one rush, Ness was bumped by St. Denis, where he slid feet first into the post, forcing his body to spin. Ness' head took the majority of the blow, causing him to lay motionless with his face against the ice.
Warning: the following video may be graphic to some.
Members from both teams accompanied the EMTs as he was escorted off the ice.
The Bears play-by-play broadcaster, Zach Fisch, tweeted that Ness was stable and communicative before taking to a nearby hospital where he underwent x-rays.
The latest update, thankfully, ruled that Ness is "going to be okay."
Bridgeport won the game 3-2 in overtime.
A veteran of 47 career NHL games, Ness made his debut for the Islanders in 2011-12 before signing with the Capitals organization in 2015.
Ness led all defenceman in scoring with five goals and 50 assists for 55 points in 71 games this season.
We wish Ness a safe and speedy recovery.
