Team Canada defenceman Evan Bouchard was injured and subsequently ruled out after taking a hit to the head from Team USA defenceman Ryan Lindgren in the first period Canada’s 4-0 quarter-final win Thursday at the men’s worlds.
Lindgren, who received a five-minute major penalty for an illegal check to the head, delivered the hit just after Bouchard released the puck as he entered the offensive zone.
Bouchard was visibly shaken up after the hit and left the ice with the assistance of a trainer. He was later officially ruled out for the remainder of the game in the second period.
Head coach Misha Donskov did not have an update on Bouchard’s status postgame.
“You don’t want to see guys go down. Obviously he’s a very important player for us, a very talented player. We need guys to step up, take on more ice time and responsibility . . . We’ll be able to do that,” defenceman Morgan Rielly told TSN’s Brit Dort during the first intermission.
The Edmonton Oilers blueliner had one goal and six points in seven games at the tournament entering Thursday’s game.
Lindgren had one assist in six games with Team USA in the group round. The Seattle Kraken defenceman had two goals and nine points in 76 NHL games this with a career-high 60 penalty minutes.
Canada was unable to score on the ensuing five-minute power play, but took a 1-0 lead on a Macklin Celebrini power-play goal later in the first period. Dylan Holloway scored the second goal for Canada in the second period, while Connor Brown and Sidney Crosby added empty-netters late to push the team through to the semifinals.
