Buffalo Sabres defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo has been in the NHL a long time and he has sustained his fair share of injuries over the years, but it's probably safe to say he has never dealt with anything quite like the injury he sustained Saturday night against the Nashville Predators.
The 32-year-old blueliner was the recipient of a cross check to the throat by Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson. Colaiacovo crumpled to the ice and eventually left the game, while Arvidsson got both a five-minute major and game misconduct for cross-checking.
Here’s a look at the play in question:
Colaiacovo, however, was later taken to the hospital with an injury that sounds pretty awful.
After the game, Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma confirmed that Colaiacovo was being treated for a dented trachea. Let’s quickly repeat that so there is no confusion: a dented trachea.
One more time now, this time from John Vogl of the Buffalo News.
Sabres coach Dan Bylsma says Carlo Colaiacovo is at hospital and being treated for "dented trachea" but is OK
— John Vogl (@BuffNewsVogl) November 29, 2015
That sounds pretty terrible, but it's good to know the veteran is doing better.
Considering that Arvidsson was tossed from the game, he may avoid further suspension considering what just happened with Brandon Dubinsky being suspended earlier Saturday for a high cross-check on Sidney Crosby. However, since there was an injury on the play, the Department of Player Safety will probably take a longer look at this one.
It’s injuries like this one that reminds one of the many dangers on the ice. It takes an awful lot of bravery to play at the top level with injuries like a dented trachea just waiting to happen.
