VANCOUVER — Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson left a game against the Vancouver Canucks Wednesday after getting hurt midway through the second period.
Canucks winger Drew O'Connor crashed into the 31-year-old American netminder in the crease at the 13:48 mark of the middle frame, and both players tumbled awkwardly into the net.
Gibson laid on the ice for several minutes and was looked at by a trainer before getting up slowly and leaving the ice with help.
Ducks head coach Greg Cronin did not have an update on the goalie's status after the Canucks won the game 3-2.
“I didn't really see the collision," he said. "I didn't really even replay it, but he was obviously hurt, so we'll figure out what's going on tomorrow.”
O'Connor was given a two-minute goalie interference penalty for the play and Ducks netminder Lukas Dostal came on in relief.
"I might have to see it again to see if I got kind of pushed into him or not," O'Connor said of the collision. "But I kind of ran him over a little bit. So I don't know, it's probably a penalty.”
Gibson boasts a 9-10-2 record with a .911 save percentage and a 2.80 goals-against average this season.
Losing the netminder is tough, said Ducks defenceman Brian Dumoulin.
"He's been playing so well. I've only been here this year, and it's been amazing to watch him and the way he battles and competes," he said. "I feel for him, definitely, having him coming out of the net. That's not easy, especially when he's playing so well.”
Gibson held the Ducks in the game with a series of sensational saves across a first period that saw Vancouver outshoot the visiting side 17-5.
The goalie's best of the night came just over a minute into the game when Brock Boeser blasted a shot off, sending the puck ticking up and off of his left pad. Gibson twisted his arm behind his back and snatched the puck with his glove for a stop.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 6, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
