Okposo Taken Off Ice on Stretcher
Adam Malmut | Sep 17, 2009 | Comments 5
Sept 17. 10:25pm EST -
Islanders forward Kyle Okposo was taken off the ice on a stretcher after an open-ice hit by Calgary defenseman Dion Phanuef. The hit came midway through the second period of a preseason game in Calgary on Thursday Night. No news yet on how serious the injury is, but whenever a player leaves on a stretcher it’s not good.
Okposo was the Islanders second leading point scorer last year with 39 points.
More to come . . .
Here is the video of the hit:
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UPDATE: As per Katie Strang of Newsday, Okposo was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with a mild concussion. He was cleared to fly back with the team.
Filed Under: NHL • New York Islanders
Hope he's alright, not only because he's in my pool (erhm..) but it'd be a shame to see his sophomore season get affected. Guy is a tremendous talent.
I'll file this hit by Phaneuf under the "was that really necessary?" column. I know Phaneuf is known for his thunderous checks and reminds me of a latter-day Scott Stevens, but sheesh, it's pre-season… these two teams will probably only meet once in the regular season. Doesn't really seem necessary to send a "message", the way a player might do to a division rival.
The league is supposedly cracking down on those "message sending" events. They wouldn't even show a replay on the broadcast last night or show the medical people attending to Okposo at all. Hopefully Okposo bounces back quickly and Phaneuf gets a fine.
I am a huge Okposo fan as much as as the next isles fan but the hit was clean. Uncalled for in preseason, but clean.
uncalled for in pre-season for sure.
clean hit – yes, right hit – no
very unfortunate for okposo