Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta hospitalized after injury vs. Wild
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Olli Maatta remains in the hospital Wednesday following an injury he sustained during the team’s 4–3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, reports Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Maatta sustained the injury during the second period after being shoved in the back by Wild winger Nino Niederreiter. Niederreiter was heading for the bench and made contact with Maatta, who slammed head first into the opening bench door.
Maatta remained on the ice for a few minutes before being helped off the rink. He was taken to the hospital, where he stayed overnight to be evaluated for potential damage to his internal organs. Molinari reported that Maatta did not suffer internal damage, and the team may make a public announcement about his status late Tuesday.
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Maatta, 21, returned this season after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in January. He also overcame cancer in 2014.
The NHL has announced that Niederreiter will not face discipline for the hit. He was not penalized during the game.