Devils D Salmela taken off ice on stretcher after being hit by Flyers' Carter

2010-02-08 20:50:00

PHILADELPHIA - New Jersey Devils defenceman Anssi Salmela has been taken off the ice on a stretcher after taking a hard shoulder to the face from the Philadelphia Flyers' Jeff Carter.

Moments after scoring a short-handed goal that gave the Devils a 2-0 lead in the second period Monday night, Salmela was struck hard by Carter's right shoulder as he skated by. Salmela tumbled to the ice and remained face down for several minutes, until the Devils' medical staff lifted him onto a stretcher.

There was no immediate word on his condition.

The 25-year-old Salmela, playing his second game since arriving as part of last week's trade with Atlanta for Ilya Kovalchuk, has scored two goals this season.

COMMENTS (4)

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larrycoakley Posted
(2010-02-09 18:02:41)

Before, during, or after the whistle, it was a head hit, plain and simple. Salmela had his head down, just a stupid move on his part, but Carter was just being a Flyer-do we expect any different from them? I like a game with good hitting to seperate the player from the puck, but this was not that; it was a hit to injure. It's what you do when your skill level gives you no other options. Today's NHL is a different game than when the Broad Street Bullies played, and this crap has no place here.

justwinbaby Posted
(2010-02-09 09:30:05)

How can the hit on Salmela not be a penalty? After all the little tickey tack penalties that are called, they let Salmela score a goal, the puck is in the net, then Carter hits him in the head with his shoulder - or was it a slip of the elbow, and nothing is called!? What are the ref's doing? They ruin the game with nonsense calls, then say nothign when it's obvious. Hard hitting is great but ref approved goonery?

rangerzfan4evr Posted
(2010-02-08 23:30:32)

In my mind, it was a clean hit. The shoulder caught the chin as the puck was released and Salmela just wasn't looking and had his head down. The elbow extended out after the shoulder made contact but it had no influence on the hit. Shouldn't be a problem here.

righttofight Posted
(2010-02-08 22:16:31)

First off i have not seen the hit and wish Salmela all the best and that he has a speedy recovery. Second i just want to ask how long does it take after this hit for Campbell to come up with a blog on how hockey is too rough and that there should be no hitting or fighting in hockey... How can this guy still be writing an article in The Hockey News