NHL referee Dean Morton left Friday night's game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Toronto Maple Leafs after a nasty collision with Leafs' forward David Clarkson.

Clarkson was carrying the puck along the boards in the Leafs' end when he accidentally took out Morton's legs in the first period after getting shoved by Blue Jackets defenceman Cody Goloubef. Morton landed hard on his back and neck.

He was helped off the ice and didn't return to the game.

It hasn't been a good week for NHL officials. 

Just last week, referee Mike Leggo threw up on the ice in a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning.

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