The Colorado Avalanche suffered a major setback in the NHL on Tuesday night as Artturi Lehkonen was injured in the game against the Los Angeles Kings.

The Finnish forward’s evening ended midway through the first period.

Lehkonen was injured in front of the Kings’ goal, where the forward was battling with Swedish defender Joel Edmundson. After the defender lifted his stick under Lehkonen’s armpit, the forward immediately reacted in apparent pain and skated straight to the bench. There was no return to the ice in that game.

“Out for a while”

The Avalanche announced shortly after the game that Lehkonen is suffering from an upper body injury. A precise diagnosis has not yet been provided.

Head coach Jared Bednar confirmed, however, that the Finn will not be seen in the next game against Anaheim.

– He will not be an option for the lineup tomorrow. I haven’t received a complete report yet, but he will be out for a while, Bednar said.

Lehkonen has been one of the Avalanche’s most effective players this season, with 19 goals and 23 assists for a total of 42 points in 59 games.

In the February Olympics, Lehkonen was once again in a prominent role during crucial moments: with 2 goals and 4 assists in six games, as well as an overtime goal against Switzerland in the quarterfinals, he became one of the successful players for the Lions.

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