The roar of the Vegas crowd was suddenly silenced, replaced by a collective gasp as Zach Whitecloud crumpled to the ice, blood pooling beneath him—a chilling image that instantly overshadowed every highlight and rivalry of the Canadiens-Golden Knights battle. In the blink of an eye, a routine neutral zone play had transformed into one of the season’s most harrowing moments, and every eye in T-Mobile Arena was locked on the motionless defenseman, the gravity of the situation sinking in with every heartbeat.

Moments earlier, the game had been a showcase of speed and skill, with Ivan Demidov—Montreal’s electrifying young forward—dancing through defenders, dictating the pace, and keeping Vegas on their heels. The matchup was intense, the stakes high, and the energy palpable. But as Demidov attempted a simple clearance, the puck took a cruel deflection and rocketed toward Whitecloud, catching him flush in the face. The impact was immediate and terrifying, and the sight of blood on the ice sent a wave of shock through both benches and the crowd.

It wasn’t just the violence of the moment that made it unforgettable—it was the eerie sense of déjà vu. For the third time in just a handful of games, a Canadiens player had inadvertently struck an opponent in the face with the puck, a bizarre and unsettling streak that has fans and analysts alike searching for answers. But this time, the victim was Whitecloud, and the timing made it all the more poignant: it was his birthday, a night that should have been marked by celebration, not crisis.

As Whitecloud hurried off the ice, clutching his face and leaving a trail of blood, the atmosphere in the arena shifted from competitive to deeply concerned. Players from both teams paused, shaken by the severity of the injury and the uncertainty that followed. In those tense minutes, the outcome of the game seemed secondary to the health of a fellow competitor, and the true fragility of the sport was laid bare for everyone to see.

Yet, in a twist that no one saw coming, Whitecloud returned to the ice later in the game, face protected by a full cage, determination etched across his features. The sight of his comeback was a relief—a testament to his toughness and the skill of the medical staff—but the questions lingered. How could such a freak accident happen again? What does this mean for player safety, and how will the Canadiens respond to a pattern that’s becoming impossible to ignore?

For Ivan Demidov, the incident was a sobering reminder of the razor-thin line between brilliance and disaster in the NHL. For Whitecloud, it was a birthday he’ll never forget—one marked by pain, resilience, and, ultimately, a triumphant return. And for fans, it was a scene that demanded attention, reflection, and a deeper look at the unpredictable nature of hockey.

Canadiens forward Ivan Demidov and Vegas' Zach Whitecloud

Photo credit: All Montreal Hockey / NHL

The Canadiens-Golden Knights game was already intense and fast, but no one expected a moment this worrying to unfold in the middle of an otherwise tight matchup.

Yet another terrifying scene during a Canadiens game. The game was progressing with solid offensive plays on both sides, some defensive mistakes, and a tempo that shifted from one moment to the next.

Both teams were trying to take the lead, and Ivan Demidov was actually having another good game, in my opinion. As he does every night, the young forward touched the puck often, created openings, and his line gave Vegas a hard time.

But it was a completely accidental play that flipped the atmosphere in the arena. Over the last few games, the Canadiens have unintentionally struck several opponents in the face with the puck, a strange streak that is starting to draw a lot of reactions.

And yesterday, it was Zach Whitecloud who became the victim, on the very day of his birthday.

Here is the sequence in question:

Ivan Demidov hits Whitecloud directly in the face in a worrying sequence

On a sequence that looked completely ordinary in the neutral zone, Ivan Demidov tried to clear the puck, but it deflected directly toward Zach Whitecloud and struck him right in the face.

He immediately went to the bench, clearly shaken, and most of all, the amount of blood on the ice froze everyone.

It was already the third moment of this kind for the Canadiens in a few games, which made the scene even more striking. Not the kind of sequence anyone likes to see!

Fortunately, after a trip to the locker room to receive treatment, Whitecloud returned later in the game with a full cage to protect his face. Very good news!

This quick return reassured many people, especially given how serious the impact had looked.