Photo: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images
Team USA’s Brianna Decker was stretchered off the ice on Thursday after suffering a severe leg injury in the team’s opening game at the Beijing Olympics.
The assistant captain and three-time Olympian screamed in pain after being tripped from behind by Finland’s Ronja Savolainen midway through the first period.
American Brianna Decker stretchered off in Olympic hockey opener after the Finland player does the Subban slewfoot. ((Caution)) the sounds are haunting. pic.twitter.com/khM1mpgK71
— David 🔹 (@DaveyUpper) February 3, 2022
Decker was unable to place any weight on her left leg and was taken off on a stretcher. USA Hockey later confirmed that Decker would be out for the remainder of the Olympics.
Update on Decker came from a USA Hockey spokesman.
— Helene Elliott (@helenenothelen) February 3, 2022
“I think it was a pretty sickening moment,” teammate Amanda Kessel told NBC Sports following the first period.
Decker was later seen on crutches next to the bench and was hugged by teammates as they left the ice.
Decker’s injury was the second to a key player during the tournament’s opening day at the Beijing Games. Canadian forward Melodie Daoust did not return after being checked hard into the boards by Sarah Foster in Canada’s 12-1 rout of Switzerland.
The Americans topped Finland in the matchup 5-2. The U.S. will play the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on Friday.
Those screams are horrifying.