The Calgary Flames' season opener against the Vancouver Canucks started out with a scary moment in the first period.
Flames forward Kevin Rooney is being evaluated for a concussion after a scary hit from Canucks forward J.T. Miller and will not return to Wednesday's game.
The collision happened midway through the first period, when Rooney was trying to make a play to clear the puck out of the Flames defensive zone. Miller laid a hit on the Flame and sent him crashing into the side boards. Miller, reeling from the momentum, stumbled while making the hit and landed on top of Rooney.
While Miller was able to get up immediately, Rooney remained down on the ice, unmoving. Trainers were immediately called upon and after a few minutes, he was able to leave the ice with assistance.
There was no penalty assessed to Miller on the play.
"I haven't seen him yet, but from what I understand, he's doing fine," Flames head coach Ryan Huska told reporters following the game. Huska added that Rooney is walking around.
Later in the first period, Flames teammate Anthony Mantha challenged Miller, and both dropped the gloves.
Rooney, 31, is playing in his third season for the Flames. In 33 games during the 2023-24 season, he scored three goals and four points in 11:13 of ice time.
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