Elias Pettersson suffers apparent head injury vs. Panthers

Elias Pettersson is having a fantastic start to his NHL career. He’s now encountered his first speed bump.

The 19-year-old was tossed to the ice by Panthers’ blueliner Mike Matheson during the third period of Saturday’s victory and was forced to exit the game.

Pettersson, who already scored his fifth goal of the season earlier in the contest, went to retrieve a puck in the corner before he appeared to be boarded and taken down by Matheson.

Ian MacIntyre is reporting Pettersson suffered a head injury.

Here’s a look at the play:

Matheson wasn’t assessed a penalty on the play.

Pettersson appeared to hit his head on both the glass and then on the ice. He tried to stand up on his own but ultimately needed the assistance of Canucks’ trainer Jon Sanderson in order to get off the ice.

The young phenom played all of two shifts in the third period before suffering the injury and not returning. The Canucks weren’t able to provide an update on Pettersson’s status following the game.

Coach Travis Green stated in his post-game that it was a dirty play, but he didn’t want his players chasing around a guy in a 3-2 game.

In terms of retaliation, Antoine Roussel said following the game that the score should be settled with Matheson, but that will happen at Rogers Arena in the rematch, as the Canucks needed the two points tonight.

The Canucks do expect the NHL to take action and issue Matheson supplemental discipline.

Pettersson has been sensational in his young NHL career to date, recording five goals and eight points through five contests.

Wishing the best for the young Swede.