SUMMARY
- Kevin Fiala suffered a left leg injury after backing into a hit on Tom Wilson near the boards.
- Medical personnel placed Fiala face down on a stretcher with his leg in an air cast.
- Fiala, 29, has 40 points in 56 games this NHL season with the Los Angeles Kings.
MILAN — Switzerland forward Kevin Fiala was taken off the ice on a stretcher after sustaining a leg injury late in Friday’s Milan Cortina Olympic game against Canada.
The Los Angeles Kings star collided with Canada’s Tom Wilson with under three minutes remaining in Canada’s 5-1 victory.
Fiala’s injury overshadowed Switzerland’s final minutes against a dominant Canadian squad. As a 12th year NHL veteran, his absence could significantly affect Switzerland’s offensive depth in the ongoing Olympic tournament.
Fiala joined the Los Angeles Kings in 2022 and has consistently ranked among Switzerland’s top scorers in international competition.
Collisions near the boards have historically contributed to serious hockey injuries, prompting teams to enforce stricter protocols.
Dr. Richard Steadman, orthopedic surgeon and former NHL consultant, said, “Board collisions can result in complex fractures requiring extended rehabilitation.”
Sports analyst Ben Street of TSN noted, “Switzerland’s power play will feel his absence if recovery extends beyond the Olympics.”
Team physicians are evaluating the injury severity; recovery timelines will determine Fiala’s participation in remaining Olympic matches. Switzerland may adjust line combinations to compensate for his absence.
Fiala’s injury underscores the physical risks of Olympic ice hockey and its potential impact on Switzerland’s competitiveness.
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