Blue Jackets’ Foligno leaves game on stretcher

Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Columbus Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno was carried off the ice in a stretcher following a frightening collision with a game official during Sunday’s contest against the Los Angeles Kings.

The incident occurred with 11:34 remaining in the third period of Columbus’ 5-2 loss. Foligno was battling the Kings’ Jeff Carter for a puck along the boards when he was inadvertently elbowed in the head by linesman Shane Heyer.

Foligno fell to the ice and remained motionless while face down for several minutes before being wheeled off the ice. The 26-year-old was able to move his arms, as he displayed by giving the crowd a thumbs-up gesture as he left the playing surface.

The Blue Jackets later tweeted that Foligno was alert and speaking to the Kings’ medical staff and was to remain at Staples Center for evaluation. After the game, Columbus head coach Todd Richards told reporters that Foligno is expected to travel back with the team.

Foligno scored a career-high 18 goals and tallied 39 points in 70 games for the Blue Jackets last season, his seventh in the NHL.

Categorized in: NHL