Natalie Spooner’s injury puts body checking in women’s pro hockey under the microscope

Open this photo in gallery:As the Professional Women’s Hockey League feels its way through an inaugural season with a more physical game, the realities of high-octane pro hockey were felt Wednesday when top-seeded Toronto lost its marquee scorer, Natalie Spooner, for the rest of the playoffs after a collision earlier this week.Spooner’s hockey postseason is over after she suffered a knee injury in Game 3 of her team’s semi-final playoff series against Minnesota on Monday.Game 4 was Wednesday night in Minnesota with Toronto leading the best-of-five series 2-1.Longtime women’s hockey reporters criticize snub by PWHLThe Canadian Olympic gold medalist took an awkward hit in the boards from Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle. Spooner hit the boards on her left side, then fell awkwardly while entangled with Zumwinkle. The 33-year-old Toronto star remained curled up on the ice before crawling off through the open door of her team’s bench. Trainers helped Spooner out of the tunnel as she hopped along...