Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin's fiancée shares the heartbreaking loss they suffered during the offseason

Carolina Matovac opened up about a deeply personal tragedy Monday, sharing that she and Buffalo captain Rasmus Dahlin lost their first child during last year's medical emergency. The couple's loss came during the same September incident that nearly claimed Matovac's life when she suffered sudden heart failure while vacationing in France.

In an Instagram post featuring photos from her hospital stay, Matovac revealed the pregnancy helped save her life by prompting a crucial hospital visit. That decision put her in the right place when her heart began to fail, ultimately leading to a life-saving heart transplant.

Pregnancy loss led Carolina Matovac to a life-saving discovery

Matovac posted a heartfelt message explaining how the baby played a vital role despite never being born. "Today was meant to be the day we finally met you," she wrote. "You will always hold a special place in our hearts as our first baby, even though we never had the chance to meet."

She credited the pregnancy with prompting medical attention at the critical moment. "If it weren't for my worries about you, we might never have called for help and gone to the hospital," Matovac continued. "Because of that decision, I was in the right place at the right time during my first heart failure."

The loss occurred during what the couple described as a traumatic offseason in France. Matovac became ill during the vacation and suffered sudden heart failure requiring repeated CPR. She remained on life support for weeks before doctors performed the emergency heart transplant that saved her life.

"This is just one of the many reasons I am alive today, able to embrace a normal life once again," Matovac wrote. "You are our hero, and I hope you are being well cared for in heaven. We love you, baby Matovac Dahlin."

The couple, who have been together for more than a decade, are engaged. They shared details of the medical emergency in a letter through the Sabres organization last September.

On the ice, Dahlin continues to captain the Sabres through a strong season. The 2018 first overall pick has eight goals and 29 assists through 47 games while averaging over 24 minutes per contest.

Buffalo sits third in the Atlantic Division with a 29-17-5 record and 63 points. The Sabres have won 18 of their last 22 games and face Toronto on Tuesday night as they push toward ending their playoff drought.


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