Minnesota Wild forward Nico Sturm was taken to a hospital for precautionary evaluation after a puck struck him in the head during Monday night’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights, according to ESPN. Sturm, 31, was hit on the right side of his helmet by a slap shot off the stick of teammate Jared Spurgeon during the first period.
The Wild went on to beat the Golden Knights 4-2, improving to 4-1-1 on the season, according to NHL.com. Sturm dropped to the ice immediately after being struck and was tended to by team medical staff before being helped off by center Michael McCarron. NHL.com reported the play occurred with 2:14 left in the first period, when Spurgeon’s shot got through traffic and caught Sturm high.
What The Wild And NHL Said About The Nico Sturm Puck Injury
CBS Sports listed Sturm as out for the remainder of Monday’s game with an upper-body injury, a designation that does not specify the extent of the damage from the puck strike, per CBS Sports. Wild coach John Hynes said after the game he had no immediate update on Sturm’s condition. Hynes added that Sturm was not likely to travel with the team for Tuesday’s game at Winnipeg.
No further details on Sturm’s diagnosis or whether he remained at the hospital overnight have been reported.
Locker Room Reaction
Sturm was playing left wing on Minnesota’s fourth line when he was hit. Michael McCarron, Minnesota’s center, described the moment: “Holding his ear, same spot kind of. I felt horrible.
Us as a fourth line, we like to get to the net, and pucks are flying by us all the time. It’s kind of a dangerous area to go. That’s why not a lot of people love to go to the net.
It’s scary around there, and I’m just praying for the best for him. He seemed to be OK when I saw him after the first, but yeah, it’s scary.”
The incident drew comparisons to Wild defenseman Brock Faber, who was ruled out indefinitely after being struck in the head by a puck during the team’s final preseason game and was diagnosed with a skull fracture.
Who Fills In On The Fourth Line
CBS Sports reported Tyler Pitlick, recalled from AHL Iowa on Monday, might draw into the lineup if Sturm cannot play Tuesday. The Wild could also choose a configuration of 11 forwards and seven defensemen, which would result in Matt Kiersted or David Spacek suiting up against the Jets.
What’s Next
The Wild play Winnipeg on Tuesday. Sturm is not expected to travel, per Hynes. No timetable for his return has been provided.
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