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NHL referee Chris Rooney takes puck to the head in Stars vs. Avalanche game (VIDEO)
Just over three minutes into the Dallas Stars’ game at the Colorado Avalanche on Monday night, Dallas defenseman Jamie Oleksiak – all 6-foot-7 of him – raised his stick and fired a slap shot from his opponents’ blue line. The puck deflected off the skate of Colorado’s Paul Stastny, changing direction as it flew to the end boards.
That’s where referee Chris Rooney was monitoring the play; and that’s where the puck struck him in the head. Yikes:
The puck appeared to carom off the neck of Rooney, who stayed down behind the Avalanche net. Rooney eventually got up and skated off the ice.
Sam Singleton, an NHL security representative, said Rooney ''checked out OK,'' but he didn't have any details.
That left Justin St. Pierre as the lone referee, along with his two linesman.
[Also: Should Shawn Thornton have fought John Scott?]
Rooney’s been a member of the NHL Officials Association since 1996. Previously, he was best known as the referee who suddenly hit puberty during a New York Islanders game.
There was another incident with a referee being struck with a puck on Monday night as Marc Joannette was stuck by a Dion Phaneuf clearing attempt in the second period. According to the AP, “He received attention from the Maple Leafs training staff and returned later in the period.”
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