NHL star Dennis Gilbert lays motionless after smashing his head on the ice in terrifying scenes before needing help from teammates to walk off
Dennis Gilbert of the Calgary Flames is expected to go into concussion protocolThe Flames defeated the Nashville Predators, 6-3, for their third straight winDailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Gilbert was forced out of their game against the Nashville Predators on Thursday after a collision momentarily left him motionless on the ice.
Late in the third period, Gilbert collected the puck along the boards when Nashville’s Phil Tomasino came skating in from his right side.
The awkward hit saw Tomasino’s upper body in front of Gilbert’s while his left leg was placed behind Gilbert’s right – causing him to lose his balance. Gilbert’s skates went up in the air before his head and right shoulder crashed on the ice.
Gilbert was unable to stand up right away as medical staff tended to him. As soon as he got up, Gilbert was escorted off the ice by his teammates.
Postgame, head coach Ryan Huska said that while he has not spoken to the Flames’ medical team about the severity of the injury, he assumed that Gilbert would be fine.
Dennis Gilbert smashed his head on the ice during the Flames’ win over the Nashville Predators
Flames defenseman Dennis Gilbert takes a nasty fall, it looks like right onto his head. He laid motionless on the ice for some time. Trainers on the ice attending to him now. pic.twitter.com/nOzSZWsNdx
— Alex Daugherty (@AlexDaugherty1) January 5, 2024
Gilbert is expected to enter concussion protocol as his team looks to extend their win streak
The defenseman had to be helped off the ice by his teammates during the Flames’ win
‘He’ll just probably have to go through protocol is what I would assume right now,’ Huska said.
Connor Zary, Blake Coleman, Rasmus Andersson and Yegor Sharangovich each had a goal and an assist in the Flames´ 6-3 victory.
Nazem Kadri and Noah Hanifin also scored and Dan Vladar made 30 saves in the Flames´ third straight win.
‘We want to gain a little bit of traction with stringing points together,’ Huska said of their performance. ‘It becomes important. That next game now becomes the most important game of the year for us.’
Gilbert has one goal and seven points in 27 appearances for the Flames this season.
Calgary currently sits sixth in the Western Conference with a 17-16-5 (W-L-OTL) record. The Flames will look to continue their win streak against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday.