Golden Knights defenseman hospitalized after taking 87 mph shot to face in horrifying scene

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

A terrifying scene briefly interrupted Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final Thursday night, as a player took a shot directly to the face, resulting in hospitalization.

Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb skated off the ice, covering his face after being in the direct line of an 87 mph shot.

A slap shot from Carolina’s Nikolaj Ehlers hit McNabb square in the face just past the midway point of the first period. McNabb dropped his stick, went down to the ice and grabbed his nose as he skated immediately off and down the tunnel.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Vegas Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period of Game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlaker/AP Photo)

The ESPN broadcast reported early in the second period that McNabb had left the arena and gone to a local hospital.

McNabb was coming off the first three-assist performance of his NHL career in Game 1. He is one of three original Golden Knights players who have been around for the franchise's entire nine-year existence and is in the final for a third time.

"You lose a guy like Nabber who logs heavy minutes, such a good teammate, plays the game so hard, it’s tough," captain Mark Stone said. "They battled as hard as they could."

Vegas Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period of Game 2 in the Stanley Cup Final against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina, on June 4, 2026. (Karl DeBlaker/AP Photo)

SETH JARVIS SCORES OVERTIME GAME-WINNER AS HURRICANES STORM BACK FROM 2-0 DEFICIT TO EVEN