Wild's Nico Sturm taken to hospital after puck strikes head against Vegas

The first-period hit

Sturm, a 31-year-old forward who has mostly played center, was playing left wing on the fourth line when Spurgeon's slap shot struck the right side of his helmet in the first period. AP reports the shot hit him inadvertently, and German outlets place the impact just above the ear. The crowd of nearly 18,000 at Grand Casino Arena went silent as Sturm dropped to the ice. Team medical staff tended to him before he skated off slowly with assistance, and center Michael McCarron helped him off the bench.

Memories of Faber's injury

The incident immediately recalled defenseman Brock Faber, who was hit through the left ear hole by a puck in a September 25 exhibition game against Dallas. Faber was diagnosed with a skull fracture, is out indefinitely, and missed the home opener on October 3. He returned to play in that preseason game before feeling discomfort and being taken to hospital. Faber was at the rink on Monday, watched from the press box and was in the locker room after the victory.

It's scary around there, and I'm just praying for the best for him.

McCarron said he could not stop thinking of Faber as he helped Sturm off the ice. Goalie Jesper Wallstedt called the moment 'very, very scary' and said it brought back flashbacks to the preseason game.

Precaution and what comes next

Coach John Hynes had no update on Sturm's condition after the game. He said Sturm would not travel with the team to Winnipeg for the Tuesday, October 13 game against the Jets.

I think anytime they get those it's precautionary and the smart thing to do, especially after what happened to Brock.

Hynes said Faber has another medical appointment coming up and has made lots of good progress since his injury. Sturm, who was born in Augsburg and plays for Germany's national team, is expected to miss at least the next game according to German reporting. The Wild are 4-1-1 despite being without Faber, backup goalie Filip Gustavsson, who is recovering from offseason hip surgery, and both Marcus and Nick Foligno, who are sidelined by unspecified injuries.

He's doing really good.