Hurricanes’ Joni Pitkanen carted off ice following crash on icing race

The debate about hybrid icing in the National Hockey League will rage on after Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joni Pitkanen was carried off in a stretcher Tuesday night after trying to outrace Washington Capitals forward  Troy Brouwer on an icing call.

Pitkanen injured his right ankle on the play and is expected to be out three months, according to TSN. 

The play happened with less than two minutes left in the second period of the game with the Capitals leading 4-3 and ended with Pitkanen crashing into the boards and in obvious pain afterwards. He has recorded one goal and eight assists this season for the Hurricanes (16-16-2).

The Hurricanes have struggled lately going 2-7-1 in their last 10 contests and are in danger of missing the playoffs. They currently 10th in the Eastern Conference and are five points behind the New York Islanders for the eighth and final playoff spot.

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