Jeff Skinner injury: Carolina star leaves game after Jared Cowen hit

Cowen took out Skinner with a massive hit -- but was it dirty?

By Nicholas Scibetta Apr 16, 2013, 8:47pm EDT

In the first period of the game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Ottawa Senators, Ottawa enforcer Jared Cowen took out Carolina star Jeff Skinner with a huge hit:

Senators fans in the arena roared their approval, but others weren't so sure the hit was clean. Twitter reaction to the hit split, predictably, down team-allegiance lines:

Jeff Skinner's going to be having nightmares about that Jared Cowen hit for some time. Big, clean hit, though Kirk Muller didn't agree #sens
— Allen Panzeri (@allenpanzeri2) April 17, 2013

The fact Cowen is still in this game is mindboggling.
— Chip Alexander (@ice_chip) April 17, 2013

Skinner headed to the dressing room after the hit, and the team has announced that he will not return.

After the hit, Carolina's Chad LaRose went after Cowen for revenge, and the two fought. LaRose drew an instigator penalty for his troubles, but the Senators didn't score on the ensuing power play.

Skinner has already dealt with head injuries in his young career. He missed time earlier this very season with a concussion.

So what do you think, folks? Was the hit clean or dirty?