On Wednesday, the Metallurg Magnitogorsk and the Avangard Omsk were battling for a place in the Conference Finals of the KHL Playoffs. In the 3rd period, as Magnitogorsk was leading 3-0, Mettalurg defenseman Alexei Maklyuko wanted to block a slapshot from Avangard defenseman Alexei Gritsyu and went down on the ice to do so. However, he received the puck directly into the head.