"Miraculous rescue in "Avangard" match, as Lemtygov securings the second Cherepanov"
In a chilling moment during a match against "Barys" on Omsk's old arena on October 10, 2017, Omsk "Avangard" forward Nikolai Lemtyugov suffered a severe spleen injury. The incident occurred during the physical play on the ice, resulting in a rupture of his spleen due to an unnoticed internal injury.
Such injuries can occur in hockey due to body checks, collisions, or blunt trauma, which can damage internal organs like the spleen without immediate external signs. In Lemtyugov’s case, the rupture was life-threatening because it led to internal bleeding.
The quick and attentive actions of the team's masseur, Vitia Krushvits, were crucial. Krushvits recognized the severity of Lemtyugov's condition promptly and called for an ambulance without delay. This rapid response ensured Lemtyugov received emergency medical care swiftly, which was critical in stabilizing him, performing surgery if necessary, and ultimately saving his life. Without such immediate intervention, internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen can lead to shock and death.
Lemtyugov, who had played for "Avangard" from 2014 to 2018, playing in 168 games, had a remarkable career with the team. He scored 38 goals and had 32 assists during his time with "Yastreb". The day after the incident, players and fans donated blood for Lemtyugov, showing their support during his recovery.
The injury led to acute bilateral pneumonia, causing Lemtyugov to be in a coma for 10 days. Oleg Malitsky, former PR director of Omsk's "Avangard", spoke about the horrific injury in a report. He stated that the countdown to Lemtyugov's injury was in minutes.
Since the incident, Lemtyugov has made a remarkable recovery. He has been named the best player of "Avangard" in the 2016/2017 season and has moved on to coaching. Since 2025, he has been working as the head coach of the VHL club "Toros" from Nizhnekamsk.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers that athletes face in contact sports. It also highlights the importance of quick and attentive medical care in such situations. The miracle and quick actions of masseur Vitia Krushvits saved Lemtyugov from a situation similar to the one that happened to Alexei Cherepanov, the 19-year-old Omsk "Avangard" forward who tragically died on October 13, 2008, during a match in Chekhov.
Hockey and sports can be dangerous, as shown by the case of Nikolai Lemtyugov. During an NHL match, he suffered a severe spleen injury due to physical play on the ice, highlighting the potential risks in these contact sports.
