PHILADELPHIA — One of the toughest hockey players on the planet needed a stretcher to leave the Xfinity Mobile Arena ice Saturday night in Philadelphia.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Chris Tanev, who was making his return to action after suffering a concussion on Oct. 21, got bumped from behind by Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov in the neutral zone.
Tanev’s head snapped and he fell to the ice, holding his head and lying still until a team of trainers and medical staff loaded him onto a stretcher and off the ice.
The entire arena rose to its feet to applaud their encouragement for the player.
Tanev was taken to a local hospital to undergo evaluation.
“He’s moving, and I think he'll be all right. But he’s getting some tests done right now. We’ll know more in a little while,” coach Craig Berube said, following Toronto’s 5-2 win. “We’ll know soon. He might be coming home with us.”
Upon video review, Michkov was penalized two minutes for interference.
Tanev has a history of concussions that began prior to this season, but said he felt good fairly quickly after the one he suffered 11 days ago. He completed the necessary protocol before getting the green light Saturday in Philadelphia.
“I don’t think any one mimics another one,” Tanev said Friday.
“Sometimes your symptoms may last a while; sometimes they don’t. Sometimes they’re headaches; sometimes they're just head pressure. Could be your mood. I mean, there's so many different things a person can feel, and I don't think any one is the same.”
Berube walked off the bench following the victory and quickly began inquiring about Tanev’s status. Teammates voiced their concern.
“Very unfortunate,” Nick Robertson said. “I’ll be praying for him. You know, he’s come back from a head injury, and you don’t wanna see something like that.”
Captain Auston Matthews was among a cluster of Leafs who skated over and expressed their concern for the defenceman while he was getting medical help.
Tanev didn’t speak to his teammates while on the stretcher but managed a thumbs-up as he was carted off.
“It’s a tough feeling,” Matthews said. “He’s such an integral part of this team and a guy that brings so much experience. And anytime you know they're bringing out a stretcher, it's never a good feeling deep inside. So, we're all thinking about him and praying for him and hoping for the best.”
