Haydn Fleury's night came to an abrupt end.
The Winnipeg Jets defenceman was stretchered off the ice on Tuesday after slamming into the boards midway through the first period against the Vegas Golden Knights.
What started as a roaring Canada Life Centre crowd as the Jets led 1-0 at the time — with hopes of snapping a nine-game winless streak — quickly turned into silence when Fleury went down.
The 29-year-old had chased a loose puck in Winnipeg's end and turned to make a pass when he was met with a bump from Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar. The contact threw Fleury backwards and hurdled him into the boards.
He remained down and in visible pain for some time, with team staff immediately checking on him. Eventually, Fleury was stretchered off while conscious and alert as his teammates emptied their bench and stood on the ice in a show of support.
The Jets later announced that the defenceman was transported to a hospital via ambulance and remained fully alert with mobility in his extremities upon departure.
Head coach Scott Arniel said after the game that Fleury is staying overnight at the hospital and has a broken nose among other injuries.
Tuesday was the former seventh overall pick's 17th game of the year in his second season with Winnipeg.
Jets captain Adam Lowry dropped the gloves with Kolesar shortly after Fleury left the game.
