Ducks defenseman stretchered off after going head-first into the boards

Midway through the first period of last night's preseason contest against the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Urho Vaakanainen crashed into the end boards after tangling up with a Sharks player as the Ducks scored. Vaakanainen was unable to get up under his own power and had to be stretchered off.

Vaakanainen was acquired by the Ducks days before the NHL's trade deadline last year in a deal that saw them send defenseman Hampus Lindholm to the Boston Bruins.

It's the second scary incident a Ducks' player has been involved in this week as Trevor Zegras took a hard hit against the Coyotes the other night that forced him to leave the game. No timetable has been given for his return either.

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