Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick
Foligno was carried off the ice in a stretcher following a frightening
collision with a game official during Sunday’s contest against the Los Angeles
Kings.
The incident occurred with 11:34 remaining in the third period of Columbus’
5-2
loss. Foligno was battling the Kings’ Jeff Carter for a puck along the boards
when he was inadvertently elbowed in the head by linesman Shane Heyer.
Foligno fell to the ice and remained motionless while face down for several
minutes before being wheeled off the ice. The 26-year-old was able to move his
arms, as he displayed by giving the crowd a thumbs-up gesture as he left the
playing surface.
The Blue Jackets later tweeted that Foligno was alert and speaking to the
Kings’ medical staff and was to remain at Staples Center for evaluation. After
the game, Columbus head coach Todd Richards told reporters that Foligno is
expected to travel back with the team.
Foligno scored a career-high 18 goals and tallied 39 points in 70 games for
the Blue Jackets last season, his seventh in the NHL.
