Dan Boyle leaves Tuesday on stretcher

San Jose Sharks veteran defenseman Dan Boyle was taken from the ice on a stretcher after being hit from behind by Blues forward Maxim Lapierre, on Tuesday.

Just over five minutes into the first period, Boyle went into the corner to corral the puck when he was slammed face first into the glass by Lapierre. A number of fights broke out following the collision and Lapierre received a five-minute major and a game misconduct.

Lapierre will have an in person hearing with Brendan Shanahan on Friday, which means he is likely going to be suspended for a minimum of six games.

“It’s just disgusting to see that type of play in hockey, when a player that probably shouldn’t even be in this league is taking out one of the best players in the world,” said Sharks center Logan Couture.

According to Arpon Basu of LNH.com, Boyle remained in St. Louis over night an will return to San Jose today.

“I’m OK. That was scary,” Boyle said. “Hopefully the symptoms will be very minor if any going forward.”

Seeing him stretchered off of the ice would suggest that he is going to miss some time, but a timetable will not be determined until he returns to San Jose.