Team USA hockey star Cole Hutson, 19, rushed to the hospital after taking puck to the head in scary scenes
Team USA star Cole Hutson was taken away on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital after being struck on the back of the head by a puck against Switzerland.
The scary incident took place in the second period of the United States' 2-1 win in preliminary-round play at the World Junior Championship on Saturday night.
The game in St Paul, Minnesota, was briefly halted after Switzerland defenseman Gian Meier's shot appeared to strike Hutson's helmet as he faced the other way.
The Team USA star, 19, fell to the ice and was quickly surrounded by his teammates as trainers came on to treat him.
The arena in St Paul fell silent as Hutson - who plays for Boston University - remained on the ice before a stretcher was brought on. At the time, the United States led 1-0.
The 19-year-old was soon taken to a local hospital for evaluation and did not return to the game.
Team USA star Cole Hutson was struck on the back of the head by a puck against Switzerland
The 19-year-old was taken away on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital after the incident
USA Hockey later confirmed that 'Hutson is out of the hospital [and] back with the team'
Late on Saturday night, USA Hockey released an update on his condition. 'Hutson is out of the hospital, back with the team, and is "day to day," a statement read. 'We're thankful for the concern of everyone and the care he has received.'
USA coach Bob Motzko added after the game: 'It was a scary situation, no question... it's a very close group of guys, and they responded. It knocks you back. The building was silent.'
But his team went on to win the preliminary-round game, and move 2-0 up in the series, after Brodie Ziemer and Will Zellers both scored in the second period.
Ziemer opened the scoring 1:12 into the second period, snapping a shot past Christian Kirsch to give the Americans a 1-0 lead. James Hagens and Will Horcoff assisted on the play as the United States capitalized on a quick transition chance.
Switzerland answered just over 11 minutes later as Basile Sansonnens tied the game 1-1 at 12:34, beating Nicholas Kempf from distance with a rising shot after Joel Grossniklaus and Lars Steiner set up the play.
Zellers restored the lead for the Americans 2 minutes later, finishing from a sharp angle near the left baseline on a fast break. Cole McKinney picked up the lone assist on the go-ahead goal, which stood as the winner.
The third period was scoreless as both teams pressed late. Switzerland pulled Kirsch for an extra attacker in the final minutes, and the United States followed suit earlier in the period, but neither side converted.
The United States faces Slovakia on Monday in the next round of preliminary play, while Switzerland plays Germany on Tuesday.
