Matt Benning struck in the head by a one-timer after returning from concussion protocol.

There was a very scary moment in Vancouver last night. 

The Edmonton Oilers faced off against the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday night and unfortunately for veteran Oilers defenseman Matt Benning things turned ugly very quickly. During the closing minutes of the game's first period Benning was struck in the head by a hard shot that took a sickening bounce off of his helmet. The play came on a set up for Vancouver Canucks forward Josh Leivo who attempted to hammer home a one timer from just beyond the faceoff circle, but a one-timer that instead found its way right into Benning's head. 

This would have been a scary moment all on its own but the context surrounding Benning made it all that much worse to see develop in real time. Benning had just spent several days in the National Hockey League's concussion protocol prior to playing this game as the result of a stick to the head he took courtesy of San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane during a game last week, and was only just returning to action after being cleared to play once again. Obviously there were serious concerns about his health immediately after seeing him take another blow to the head, but unbelievably Benning was allowed to return to the bench following the puck he took to the head.

Thankfully either someone at the National Hockey League or someone with more sense on the Edmonton Oilers staff stepped in and Benning would be forced to leave the game due to an upper body injury. Even if Benning turns out to have no ill effects from the shot he took off the dome courtesy of Leivo, it seems like the right call to have him sit out at least the remainder of the game so fresh off of a previous concussion. We now all know too well the damage that repeated concussions, or even just blows to the head, can cause players down the line and no one wants to see that happening to Benning or any other player in the NHL.

Here's to hoping the Oilers defenseman will be able to make a full recovery and will return to the ice when it's appropriate for him to do so.