Filip Engaras laid motionless on the ice after a hit and had to be stretched off

Engaras went hard into the boards after a powerful, though clean, hit. He fell awkwardly and lay almost motionless on the ice afterward. The Rocket's goaltender quickly skated over to check on him, and it became clear that medical assistance was urgently needed.

The medical staff acted quickly and carefully, stabilizing Engaras before placing him on the stretcher.

Thankfully, video footage shows him moving his hands as he was taken off, which is a positive sign. However, there's been no further update on his condition at this time.

Incidents like these, where players are removed on stretchers, have become more common across different hockey leagues and are always a sobering reminder of the sport's risks. In hockey, safety is always the top concern, and we're all hoping Engaras's injury isn't too severe or career-ending.

Our thoughts are with Engaras and the Utica Comets as they go through this challenging time. It's never easy to see a player injured like this, and we all want the best for his recovery.