AROUND THE LEAGUE - 25-26

[Cornuck]

That screenshot in the video looks more like a hooking than an actual hit to the head. I've watched a number of times, and don't see his head hitting the ice - but maybe hit the boards? The view from end boards seems the best angle - but I'm just not seeing a heavy hit to head. Obviously he got his bell rung.

San Jose head coach Ryan Warsofsky said Igor Chernyshov was back with the team after getting checked out in hospital...he will travel with the Sharks to Ottawa

[donlever]

What am I seeing that you're not?

Or vice versa....

Screenshot_20260315-153649_Gallery.jpg (47.55 KiB) Viewed 139 times

[Megaterio Llamas]

The still makes it look like he must have clipped his head with his elbow/arm.

It wasn't an act, clearly.

[donlever]

Seems clearly a hit to the head to me.

Not sure what Corn isn't seeing.

[Cornuck]

I guess I'm not seeing a 'hit'.. I see contact, but more of a slideby

[donlever]

Yeah...interesting....

Remember the McSorley stick to Brashears head?

Optics of that were similar in that it did not appear as much as it was.

[Meds]

The head is a funny thing. Two speculations…..

I don’t think the force of the contact with the elbow was significant enough to do much insofar as immediately turning out the lights. However, the location of the contact is right over the ear, and it’s possible that it was imperfectly located that it was akin to a one sided thunderclap. If it was enough to change the pressure in the inner ear on just one side it would disorient him momentarily and then he pinwheels off the way he did with no balance or control.

The impact on the ice is what I think most likely caused the KO and rubber legs immediately after. His head didn’t really hit the ice, but you have to remember the rule of 3 collisions. His body hit the ice with enough force that his brain rattled off the inside of his skull.

Second speculation…..

Also involving the inner ear: Vertigo.

Vertigo, like any condition, is unknown until it presents. The elbow certainly could have been forceful enough to dislodge a crystal in the inner ear. Never been an issue before, now it immediately becomes one. It would easily explain the way he went down so uncontrolled.

[Cornuck]

Interesting take, Mëds. Inner ear vs blow to the head.

Makes a lot of sense as he seemed so disoriented, and seems ok now.