Canada’s Matthew Schaefer runs into goal post at full speed, leaves game in pain

A very scary scene took place in the first period of the preliminary game between Canada and Latvia at the World Junior Championship on Friday evening. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer was skating at full speed when, as he was focused on his rebound, he crashed into his opponents’ goal post, crashing hard into the metal rod and ended up in pain on the ice.

Favouring his left shoulder, Schaefer kept his head and arm down and headed straight down the tunnel.

Schaefer did not return for the rest of the first period in which Canada outshot Latvia 2-9, but it's scoreless through 20 minutes.

During the intermission, TSN’s Bob McKenzie explained that if Schaefer is sidelined with an injury, Ottawa Senators’ prospect Carter Yakemchuk may be one of the candidates to replace his roster spot.

Ahead of the second period, Hockey Canada announced that Schaefer will not return to tonight's game. This is a significant blow to Team Canada. 

The 17-year-old defenseman recorded one goal and one assist in Canada’s 4-0 opening victory over Finland on Thu. He logged 20:26 minutes of ice time and 27 shifts throughout that game.

Ahead of the tournament, Daily Faceoff prospect analyst Steven Ellis has said about the blue liner: “Don’t be surprised if Schaefer ends up becoming one of Canada’s best players.”

Let’s hope he is not seriously injured, though we should find out more about his status after tonight’s game or ahead of the next game on Sunday against Germany.