Montreal forward Lars Eller suffered a horrifying injury after a controversial hit from Ottawa defenseman Eric Gryba. In Game 1 between the Canadiens and Senators, Eller had to be helped off with a stretcher after Gryba caught him in the head with a hit that is sure to have every hockey fan playing the role of Brendan Shanahan.
We must warn you that the video below is quite graphic. Eller suffered a serious injury and the video reflects it. There's a significant amount of blood.
The hit occurred as Eller was attempting to collect a pass as the Canadiens worked to exit their own zone. Gryba stepped up, lowering his shoulder into the upper-body and head of Eller. The video above doesn't show it, but Eller needed a stretcher to get off the ice, continuing to spurt blood. He was taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries to the head and face.
Gryba earned a 5-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit. Does he deserve additional NHL discipline? That's the debate that's been raging through social media sites all Thursday night.
Gryba's comments after the game, as seen in an article from CBC.ca, offer his side of things.
