PHILADELPHIA – The NHL referee who was forced out of the game after a fiery collision with Colorado defenseman Josh Manson was back home and expected to make a full recovery.
The league said Mitch Dunning was home as a precaution after visiting the hospital after he was accidentally knocked down by Manson in the Avalanche-Flyers game.
Manson was skating alone on the ice when he crashed into Dunning near the blue line early in the first period. Dunning collapsed and lay on the ice for several minutes. Dunning appeared to move his feet and moved his right hand as Manson walked up to speak to him.
The game at Wells Fargo center was delayed for several minutes while trainers and medical staff attended to Dunning.
The game continued with one referee and two linesmen. Colorado defeated Philadelphia 3-2.
Dunning is a former professional ice hockey defenseman who played parts of three seasons in the OHL. He later transitioned into officiating and was promoted to full-time NHL status in 2022.
The NHL did not say when Dunning would return to work.