Scary scene in Philadelphia as referee is stretchered off the ice and taken to hospital

Thoughts and prayers go out to NHL referee Mitch Dunning this evening after he was rushed to hospital following an accidental collision with Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson.

Here's the collision:

UPDATE: The NHL is now reporting that Dunning has arrived at hospital and is fully communicative.

Standby for a further update on the officials' status.

Read below for our earlier published report on this game concerning Flyers veteran Erik Johnson.

The Philadelphia Flyers honored Erik Johnson for 1,000 NHL games played prior to tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche.

The Flyers chose tonight's game because of Johnson's long history with the Avs, which of course culminated with a Stanley Cup championship in 2022. Johnson still has several close friends on the Avs, so it made complete sense for tonight's game to be time for a celebration. Pretty cool, right?

What's even cooler is that the Avs and Flyers teamed up to surprise Johnson and his family by flying out Avalanche captain, and Johnson's best friend, Gabriel Landeskog. The Avs' captain surprised his best friend on the ice and the pair had an embrace on the ice.

Check it out:

How great is that!?!?