Flames defenceman Chris Tanev leaves game after taking shot to head

MONTREAL — Flames defenceman Chris Tanev was helped off the ice after taking a slap shot to the head in the second period of Calgary’s game against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday.

MONTREAL — Flames defenceman Chris Tanev was helped off the ice after taking a slap shot to the head in the second period of Calgary’s game against the Montreal Canadiens on Monday. 

During a 5-on-3 penalty kill, Tanev attempted to block a slap shot from Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki. 

The shot hit Tanev in the head and the blue liner fell on the ice as the Bell Centre crowd fell silent. 

Although Montreal still possessed the puck, Canadiens right-winger Joel Armia asked the referees to whistle the play dead so Tanev could get medical assistance.

After team medics examined Tanev, he skated off the ice on his own power with help from his teammates. 

The Flames were left with five defencemen for the remainder of the game. 

Before the injury, Tanev had 11:43 of ice time with one shot on net. 

The 32-year-old Tanev has five assists, four penalty minutes, and a minus-1 rating over 23 games for Calgary this season.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2022.

The Canadian Press