This evening a scary and awful moment occurred during the Avalanche and Flyers game that led to a referee needing to be stretchered out of the arena. Tonight the game of hockey has once again shown just how dangerous it can be with referee Mitch Dunning suffering what seems to be a significant injury. The injury occurred on a play where Mitch Dunning and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson accidentally collided sending both crashing to the ice. As Mitch Dunning hit the ice he was in clear and obvious pain and the play was stopped as medical personnel came out to attend to him. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/MaherMediaCo/status/1858671044480905329'> </a></blockquote></div> After several minutes of evaluation, it was determined by the medical personnel that a stretcher would be needed to transport Mitch Dunning off of the ice. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/jessemontano_/status/1858670162779525243'> </a></blockquote></div> After being taken off of the ice reports have come in that Mitch Dunning has been transported to a local hospital and that he is being treated for a potential major back injury. <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/billmeltzer/status/1858677125957435796'> </a></blockquote></div> <div align='center'><blockquote class='twitter-tweet' data-lang='en'><a href='https://twitter.com/Flyers2601/status/1858672791567888386'> </a></blockquote></div> Before Mitch Dunning took on the life of being a referee he was a standout junior hockey player getting the chance to play in the OHL with the Windsor Spitfires. After several knee injuries led him to retire from playing Mitch Dunning found his next calling which was becoming a referee. Well, I don't think many young hockey players envision themselves as an official, Mitch laughs. Obviously, you grow up viewing them as the guys that throw you in the penalty box. So, you never really think of yourself as following that route. But, for me, it was a very organic process. It's something I really took to. I really love it. As Mitch Dunning continues to be evaluated at the hospital we wish him, his family, his friends, and the entire hockey community all the best as this situation continues to unfold. Once more information is provided on Mitch Dunning's status we will pass it along to you.