Injured hockey player Brianna Decker’s haunting screams echo around empty Winter Olympics arena

United States hockey player Brianna Decker was stretchered off the ice in her team’s Winter Olympics opener after suffering what appeared to be a severe leg injury.

The 31-year-old assistant captain’s pained screams echoed around the empty Beijing 2022 arena after a clash with Finland’s Ronja Savolainen in the first period.

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Decker yelped out in pain several times while lying on the ice after being tripped from behind by Savolainen to the left of the US net.

Savolainen’s left leg hooked around Decker’s left leg, and the two fell awkwardly to the ice with the Finland player landing on top of Decker.

Decker yelled again as she was being tended to by a team doctor.

“It was sickening. She is one of the toughest players I have ever played with,” teammate Amanda Kessel said.

“She is not staying down on the ice and not crying if it was not bad.”

Decker, a PyeongChang 2018 gold medallist, was unable to put any weight on her left leg as she was loaded onto a stretcher.

An official told US coach Joel Johnson there would be no penalty called against Savolainen following the incident.

The US went on to win 5-2, with Decker seen on crutches and smiling behind a mask after the match.

She has been ruled out for the remainder of the Winter Olympics.

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“It is a tough loss, especially so early in this tournament,” Kessel said.

“She is a huge part of this team ... we want to win for her.”

Coyne Schofield said Team USA’s rush of goals after the injury “shows what (Decker) means to the