Photo credit: X
A recent NHL game between the Seattle Kraken and the LA Kings witnessed a concerning incident involving Kraken forward Eeli Tolvanen and referee Furman South.
Referee Furman South's Close Encounter in Kraken vs. Kings Game
In the course of the game, while chasing the puck, Eeli Tolvanen inadvertently ran into referee Furman South. This led to South being propelled toward the boards. Fortunately, South managed to turn his head just in time, narrowly averting a direct impact with the boards. Nevertheless, the episode was quite startling.
The moment was captured and shared online, highlighting the unforeseen hazards of the game:
Tolvanen made sure to check on South before continuing with the game. Impressively, South managed to recover from the impact and continued his officiating duties.
Not the First In-Game Injury for Referee South
This occurrence marks another instance where referee Furman South has experienced an injury in the current season. Previously, on November 10, 2023, he encountered a similar mishap when he was hit in the face by a stick in a match featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets against the San Jose Sharks.
These events emphasize the physical hazards that referees and officials are exposed to in the NHL, underscoring the sport's high intensity and unpredictability.
Also read on PuckReporter :
Leon Draisaitl's suspension fate confirmed by NHL Player Safety
Leon Draisaitl's suspension fate confirmed by NHL Player Safety