Flyers' Pronger leaves game vs. Leafs after high stick

Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger left Philadelphia's game against Toronto after taking a high stick to the face.

Pronger and Toronto's Mikhail Grabovski sprinted for a loose puck in the circle after a rebound off Flyers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky on Monday night. Grabovski slapped at the puck, but his stick connected with Pronger's stick and the blade shot straight up into the defenceman's face.

Pronger screamed in agony and instantly clutched his face. Hunched over, he skated straight to the bench, his hands over his eyes, and went to the dressing room with 8:02 left in the first period.

The Flyers had no other update except that Pronger wouldn't return.

The tough 37-year-old defenceman lost 32 games to injury last season.