Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway suffers painful bench collision during Carolina Hurricanes NHL playoff game

Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway suffered a painful hit in Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes when he ran into an open bench door. That was one of the more talked-about moments from today’s NHL game as Hathaway appeared to be in some pain before slowly skating off the ice. It was another physical chapter in a heated Stanley Cup playoff rivalry, a strange sequence.

The playoff series between the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes has been very physical, with big hits and emotion. Hathaway, a physical player, tried a reverse hit near the benches but lost his balance and backed right into the open door area during the NHL playoff matchup.

Garnet Hathaway injured during Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes NHL Game 4

Garnet Hathaway left Game 4 against the Carolina Hurricanes after failing to deliver a reverse hit and awkwardly hitting an open bench door during the Philadelphia Flyers’ game.

The play happened along the boards as Hathaway attempted to throw a hit on Carolina Hurricanes forward Nik Ehlers. Rather than completing the hit, the Flyers veteran lost his position and backed hard into the edge of the open bench entrance. Hathaway reacted instantly in obvious pain and bent over for a moment before skating to the bench.

Fans reacted to the unusual collision across social media platforms as the moment quickly spread. The Philadelphia Flyers didn't immediately say Hathaway had a serious injury, but he looked uncomfortable for several minutes after the play.

Physicality has been a huge storyline in this NHL playoff series. Philadelphia Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway has been a key player in the team’s energy game, providing aggressive forechecking, defensive pressure and veteran leadership in the postseason.

Flyers teammates checked on Hathaway during the stoppage, while the Carolina Hurricanes continued to apply offensive pressure following the collision.

Painful as it is, early indications are the injury may not keep Hathaway out of the lineup for an extended period of time. But the Flyers in Philadelphia are expected to keep a close eye on his status ahead of the next playoff game.

The NHL scores might be the lasting takeaway, but Garnet Hathaway’s painful moment became one of the defining images from the Philadelphia Flyers-Carolina Hurricanes postseason battle.

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