Vancouver Canucks player Philip Larsen had to be stretchered off the ice after the defenceman was brutally knocked out by New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall.
During the second quarter, when Larsen caught a pass behind the goal, Hall came charging forward and smashed into Larsen, knocking him out instantly as he fell straight to the ice.
While Larson was lying unconscious on the ice, a brawl broke out between both teams over the top of Larson's body. Canucks goalie Jacob Markstrom was the only one who didn't get involved in the brawl as he tried to protect Larson from any more injuries as players' skates came awfully close to the body.
Larsen getting taken off on the stretcher (Getty Images)
Despite knocking his opponent out, Hall was not penalised or suspended for the incident as the 25-year old did not leave his feet or lift his elbow to deliver the hit. He doesn't even deliver the shoulder, which suggests he recognised Larsen's vulnerable position and did everything he could to try to hit him without causing injury, but that clearly failed.
The New Jersey Devils went onto win the game 3-2.
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