The air inside Canada Life Centre on Tuesday night grew noticeably heavier following what happened to Winnipeg Jets defenceman Haydn Fleury in the first period of the Jets’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Fleury, who was skating backwards, was checked by Vegas forward Keegan Kolesar and lost his balance, falling to the ice as his back slammed hard into the end boards with his feet up. He remained down following the collision. Medical staff rushed to the scene as Jets players poured off the bench in support, while Fleury was eventually stretchered off to a standing ovation from the crowd.

It marked Fleury’s first game since Dec. 19 in Colorado, as he was filling in for Logan Stanley, who was serving a one-game suspension. The incident added to an already frustrating season for the defenceman, who has dealt with injuries earlier this year.

Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press spoke with Jets head coach Scott Arniel following the game. Arniel said Fleury would remain in the hospital overnight and indicated he may have suffered a broken nose, which would explain the blood on the ice. McIntyre also noted Arniel did not believe the play was dirty, calling it a freak accident.

Fleury, 29, has no points in 17 games this season with Winnipeg. In 324 career NHL games, he has recorded 10 goals and 34 assists for 44 points with the Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Seattle Kraken, Tampa Bay Lightning, and now the Jets.

More information on the 6-foot-4 defenceman’s status is expected once further testing is completed.