In a chilling moment during Saturday night’s game, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin found himself face down and motionless on the ice after a brutal cross-check to the back of his head and neck by Ottawa Senators forward Mathieu Joseph. The impact was so severe that Larkin remained on the ice for nearly a minute before he was able to stand up, albeit hunched over, and be assisted to the locker room for evaluation by the medical staff.
As the game played on, with the Red Wings eventually suffering a 5-1 loss, concern for Larkin’s condition was palpable. Coach Derek Lalonde acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “It was tough… It went from a really, really scary moment and then for him to become conscious and not have to go out on the stretcher, that was a big lift for everyone.”
While the team released a statement stating that Larkin was being evaluated by medical professionals, Lalonde provided no further updates on his condition. The uncertainty surrounding Larkin’s well-being only heightened the sense of unease among his teammates and fans alike.
The incident occurred during a first-period power play, as Larkin stood near the Ottawa goal. It was then that he received the forceful cross-check from Joseph, which propelled him into the path of the Senators’ Parker Kelly, who delivered another hit to the fallen Detroit player. Both Joseph and Kelly were penalized for roughing, adding insult to injury.
Further exacerbating the situation, David Perron of the Red Wings was given a match penalty for intent to injure after cross-checking Ottawa defenseman Artem Zub, who was standing next to the vulnerable Larkin. The sequence of events left a chilling effect on the game and emphasized the need for increased player safety measures.
This was not the first time Larkin and Joseph found themselves involved in a contentious incident. On October 14, 2021, when Joseph was playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning, he cross-checked Larkin, leading to a retaliatory punch from the Red Wings captain. As a result, Larkin served a one-game suspension.
Moreover, Larkin’s past experiences with serious injury are also cause for concern. In April 2021, he suffered a season-ending neck injury after being cross-checked from behind by Dallas Stars’ Jamie Benn. The recovery process required Larkin to wear a cervical hard collar for eight weeks.
The unsettling collision between Larkin and Joseph once again highlights the need for increased player safety measures in the NHL. It serves as a stark reminder that the physical nature of the sport must be balanced with player well-being, and incidents like these should be met with appropriate consequences.
As the hockey community rallies behind Dylan Larkin, it is crucial that the league and its players work together to ensure a safer and more accountable environment on the ice. Only then can we hope to prevent these terrifying moments and protect the well-being of our athletes.
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