Colin Miller

Alex Burmistrov leaves game on stretcher after crushing check by Colin Miller

Published Mar. 1, 2017 7:20 a.m. ET

Pete Blackburn

Tuesday night's Bruins-Coyotes game in Boston featured a scary moment when Arizona forward Alex Burmistrov took a massive hit from Colin Miller. Following the open-ice impact, Burmistrov remained motionless on the ice for several moments.

Ultimately, he needed to be stretchered off, though he gave a thumbs up to the crowd on his way out. He was then taken to a nearby hospital to be evaluated.

https://twitter.com/ArizonaCoyotes/status/836755089947680768

Miller was given a major penalty and a game misconduct as a result of the play, but it didn't appear to be a bad or dirty hit. The defenseman kept his feet on the ice and kept his arm down as he attempted to hit Burmistrov with the body.

It appears there may have been contact to Burmistrov's head, though it can be debated whether Miller could have avoided that. Burmistrov was caught in an awkward position following a questionable pass from one of his Coyotes teammates, who's arguably more at fault for the outcome than Miller. Officials apparently disagreed.

After the game, the Coyotes made it quite clear that they didn't see an issue with the hit.

https://twitter.com/ESPNJoeyMac/status/836769596820578305

https://twitter.com/_TyAnderson/status/836773361325854721

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Colin Miller

Arizona Coyotes

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