A 5-3 setback to Fort Knox was the least of the Prince Albert Titans’ concerns Sunday.
During the third period of a Prairie Junior Hockey League game at the Kinsmen Arena, Titans rookie forward Eithen Mishak crashed head first into the end boards after he was tripped up during a battle in front of the Fort Knox net.
Training staff from both teams, along with Mishak’s older brother Braeden, were by Eithen’s side as paramedics arrived on the scene a few minutes later to transport him to the hospital.
“He was talking and he had some movement as he was being helped off the ice, but that’s as much as we know at this point,” Titans head coach Kim Dryka said. “We’re heading to the hospital right now to see how’s doing.”
After a 15-minute delay to tend to Mishak, the final 16 minutes of the third period took place as the Titans did all they could to win the game for their injured teammate.
“Everyone’s obviously emotional, but they wanted to go out there and win it for Eithen, especially with his brother Braeden being there on the ice with us,” Dryka said.
“It’s like having 22 brothers on the roster and I give them all the credit in the world in playing as hard as they did under the circumstances.”
Tanner Hendriks had a goal and assist for the Titans in the loss, while Thien Gamble and Jake Koroluk also scored.
Steven Soyko made 37 saves for the hosts, who have a 2-14-1 record.
Fort Knox, who have an 8-7-1 mark, were led on offence by a two-goal performance from Brayden Duke and a pair of a assists by Matthew Plews.
Trey Stocker, Dylan Florek and Joel Niemegeers also scored in the triumph, while Dylan DeDecker turned aside 31 shots.
The Titans will return to action Saturday night as they play host to the Traveland RV Storm from Pilot Butte at 7:30 p.m.
