Lars Eller Injury: Updates on Canadiens Forward's Head
May 3, 2013
Montreal Canadiens center Lars Eller suffered a concussion along with facial and dental fractures as a result of the hit from Ottawa Senators defenseman Eric Gryba.
Arpon Basu of LNH.com broke the news on Twitter late Thursday night:
Аrpon Basu @ArponBasu#Habs announce Eller got a concussion with loss of consciousness as well as facial and dental fractures.
With about 6:37 left in the second period of Game 1, Eller was hit high by Gryba as he looked to receive a pass. The center immediately hit the ice and was motionless. Trainers immediately tended to him. It was a pretty scary scene for the fans in attendance and those watching the game live.
Video of the incident is below.
Warning: The injury is very gruesome and not for the squeamish
Eller was carried off on a stretcher and taken to a hospital. Following Eller’s departure, the game was delayed briefly as the ice needed to be cleaned up.
The Montreal Canadiens provided immediate updates on Eller's status upon his leaving the ice.
Canadiens Montréal @CanadiensMTL(1/2) Lars Eller suffered head and facial injury. He is conscious and alert.
Canadiens Montréal @CanadiensMTL(2/2) Eller has been taken to the hospital for further examination and will remain under observation.
Gryba was assessed a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct. He was ejected from the game and will likely be looking at a more severe punishment from the league.
Looking at the video, the brunt of the damage did not seem to come from Gryba but rather from Eller hitting the ice. He looked unconscious falling to the ice. His the ice hit full force, without anything to blunt the impact.
The 23-year-old center notched 30 points this season, the highest of his career. He scored eight goals and provided 22 assists.
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