Quebec referee Pierre Lambert was extremely unlucky in Tuesday night's clash between the Florida Panthers and the New Jersey Devils.
Late in the second period, Kevin Stenlund's shot bounced off the crossbar before hitting the referee in the chest. According to the television station Bally Sports, the puck hit him at a speed of 50 miles per hour, or about 80 km/h.
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Lambert was visibly shaken and had to kneel on the ground to catch his breath. He was able to get up on his own, but briefly returned to the locker room. Only one referee had to officiate the game for a few minutes, but his colleague quickly returned to the ice.
So no one is safe on a hockey field.