Slovakia forward Tomas Kopecky takes blow to head against Slovenia, leaves game in 1st period

SOCHI, Russia - Slovakia forward Tomas Kopecky has left an Olympic hockey game against Slovenia with an injury.

Kopecky got hit in the head in the first period Saturday.

The two-time Olympian was standing near the opposing team's net when Slovenia defenceman Sabahudin Kovacevic landed his left elbow on Kopecky's head to clear him out of the way.

Kopecky was evaluated on the team's bench before going toward the dressing room. He did not return to the ice or his team's bench in the second period after he had four shifts in the first.

He has 12 points in 49 games in his third season with the Florida Panthers. He has also played for Detroit and Chicago during parts of nine NHL seasons, scoring 66 goals and making 100 assists.