Less then five minutes into Saturday’s game in New Jersey, Devils defenseman John Moore got injured. Play was halted as medical staff tended to Moore, stretchering him off the ice on a backboard.
Here’s how it happened.
Caps forward Tom Wilson finished his check behind the Devils net, smearing Moore, who was possibly unaware of the incoming hit, into the boards.
On replay, video showed the main force of Wilson’s hit was the middle of Moore’s back, forcing the Devils defenseman’s head and neck to whiplash into the glass. Moore tried to get up but was unable to.
Prudential Center was silent while members of both teams’ training staffs, including Caps’ Head Athletic Trainer Greg Smith, tended to Moore. Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin looked on from the bench worried.
Moore’s Devils teammates helped lift Moore onto the backboard.
They’d also helped put him onto the stretcher.
As Moore was taken into the tunnel, Devils fans saw a replay on the jumbotron and booed Wilson.
On ice officials did not punish Wilson for the hit.
According to Joe Beninati, Moore was taken to a local area hospital. Moore is a six-year veteran of the NHL. Last season he recorded a career-high 19 points.
We wish him a speedy recovery.
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