Colorado Avalanche’s Artturi Lehkonen hospitalized after collision with boards. Is he OK?
Players and fans alike were left shocked on Thursday, after the Avalanche’s forward went down on the ice following a head-first collision with the boards.
An integral part of Colorado’s Stanley Cup-winning team, The Finnish forward suffered a moment that scared all in attendance. While he appears to be doing much better, it’s yet another reminder of the dangers of the sport.
Avalanche’s Artturi Lehkonen hospitalized after collision
According to reports, Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen was hospitalized on Thursday night following a frightening head-first collision with the boards during a game against the Seattle Kraken. Thankfully, the Avalanche announced later in the night that Lehkonen was alert, responsive, and had full movement in his body.
Regarding how the collision occurred, it was during the second period when Lehkonen was chasing a loose puck while jostling for position with two of the Kraken’s players. At that point, defenseman Jamie Oleksiak gave him a push. As a result of the ‘extra help’ Oleksiak, the Avalanche star could do nothing to prevent a full-on head-first crash into the boards. There was no penalty called on the play. Fellow Avalance forward, Adrew Cogliano addressed the even post-game. “He’s the last guy you want to see go down. He’s just the ultimate warrior out there. He’s a great teammate and you never want to see that.”
The Colorado Avalanche need to keep pushing
With an 8-4 record and sitting second in the Central Division behind the Stars, the 4-3 loss to the Kraken on Thursday was not ideal for the Avalanche. While Lehkonen with his three goals and five assists across the 12 games has been a key contributor, it goes without saying the team itself will have to do better whether the 28-year-old is present or not. For his part, Lehkonen has made good on the investment that the Avalance made in him when he joined from the Montreal Canadiens ahead of the 2021-22 trade deadline. Indeed, that was evidenced by the five-year, $22.5 million contract that the Avalanche agreed to with him following the team’s 2022 Stanley Cup win, an achievement of which he was a central part, chipping in with eight goals and 14 points in the 20 playoff games he played. Regardless, next in line for the Avalanche is a date with the St. Louis Blues on Saturday, before facing the Kraken once again on Monday. Keep an eye on them.