Artturi Lehkonen of the Avalanche was transported to the hospital following a frightening game.
Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen left the game against the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night after a scary play and was taken to a local hospital.
The incident occurred in the second period with 8:15 to go and the Avs trailing 3-1. Lehkonen got hit by Seattle defenseman Jamie Oleksiak and went head first into the boards.
You can watch it here, but a fair warning, it’s difficult to see.
The Avalanche announced that Lehkonen had been taken to the hospital after he was able to leave the ice under his own power. They noted he was “alert, responsive and has full movement,” which is obviously great news.
After the game, head coach Jared Bednar didn’t have an update, but said “the level of concern is high.”
Colorado is off on Friday and not practicing, so we should hopefully get an update early Saturday on Lehkonen’s condition.
The Avalanche host the Blues at Ball Arena on Saturday night but will have a morning skate. Colorado is 8-4-0 on the season after falling to the Kraken by a final score of 4-3.
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The Colorado Avalanche were defeated 4-3 by the Seattle Kraken on Thursday night, and they may have lost Artturi Lehkonen long-term when the forward went head-first into the boards and was taken to the hospital.
Lehkonen was on the receiving end of a heavy hit from Kraken defenseman Jamie Oleksiak in the second period at Ball Arena. It appeared his head hit the glass, and he remained on the ice for minutes before being helped off and down the tunnel.
Artturi Lehkonen left tonight’s game in the second period. He is alert, responsive and has full movement. He is being taken to a local hospital as a precaution for further evaluation,” the team announced in a statement during the game.
It’s probably safe to assume that Lehkonen will not be suiting up when the Avalanche clash with the St. Louis Blues on Saturday night, although more details are expected to be revealed at some point on Friday.
It’s a brutal blow for a Colorado team that has struggled as of late; the Avs have lost four of six to fall to 8-4, but remain in second place in the Central Division.
Kraken have Avalanche’s number
The Avalanche just can’t seem to find a way to beat a less talented Kraken team. Seattle shocked Colorado — and the hockey world — by defeating the then defending Stanley Cup champions in Game 7 of the Western Conference first-round in 2023.
