The high-flying NHL playoff clash between the Stars and Avalanche came to a sudden halt when Dallas defender Lian Bichsel crashed into the boards head-first on Thursday night.
During the second period of Game 6 of the Western Conference tilt, Bichsel attempted to get the puck out of the Stars’ end of the ice when he got tangled with Colorado’s Jack Drury.
Both players fell to the ice, and slammed into the boards at a high speed. Drury had the presence of mind, and the body positioning to put his hands up to protect himself. Bischel had neither luxury.
Bischel laid on the ice motionless for about a minute while his teammates and the team’s trainers checked on him.
Bischel was eventually put in a seated position where he had movement and was helped off the ice, skating under very little of his own power.
Unbelievably, Bischel missed less than 20 minutes of action and played in the third period of the critical game.
Dallas Stars defender Lian Bichsel crashed into the boards head-first on Thursday night
Bischel laid on the ice motionless for about a minute while his teammates checked on him
Drury was not given a penalty on the play, nor was there any retaliation for the incident from the Stars.
Bischel is only 20 and is known as a rambunctious up-and-comer who welcomes physical contact more than the average NHLer. Hockey playoffs are also notorious for players getting on the ice even if they are incredibly injured and skating through pain.
Allowing Bischel to get back on the ice was a step too far for concussion expert Chris Nowinski, even with Stars youngster being given the thumbs-up to return by Dallas’ medical staff.
‘Hockey parents & coaches: If a player hits their head on the boards, cannot stand on their own for a while, & cannot skate off on their own, NEVER return them to the same game as was allowed by the #NHL here. No way to rule out #concussion, no matter what other injury you blame,’ Nowinski said.
A concussion was never diagnosed to Bischel, with Stars head coach Peter DeBoer saying he was ‘fine’ after the loss to the Avalanche, with coaches being as tight-lipped as possible around the playoffs and player injuries.
Game 7 is scheduled for Saturday night, with Bischel expected to be given the full-go for the win-or-go-home games between the two Stanley Cup contenders.
