Archives for February 11, 2008

'"Collectively bargained? I don't buy that. If a player feels concern after seeing a situation like that and you want to put a neck guard on, put a neck guard on. It doesn't hurt."'

'"He was obviously standing and to a degree coherent, but he didn't look as focused as (he would normally)," Montador said. "That was when guys went and grabbed him and took him off the ice."'

'Just as visors aren't mandated in the NHL, neither are neck protectors. That's the jurisdiction of the NHL Players' Association and the union has always respected its members' desire for individual choice when it comes to protection.'

'"It was just hanging by a thread," Noor said, "and it's critical to us that that actually happened because it would've retracted, and it would've been even more difficult to control."'

'Panthers Assistant General Manger Randy Sexton, who remained in Buffalo with Zednik last night stated, “The entire Panthers organization wish to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the medical staff at Buffalo General Hospital, the Buffalo Sabres organization, the HSBC Arena staff and to the Panthers and Sabres fans who have expressed their thoughts and concerns.”'

'Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik required lifesaving surgery after severing his carotid artery, his agent told The Associated Press on Monday.'

'Zednik's injury came 19 years after former Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk almost died when his jugular vein was cut by a skate blade in a goal-mouth collision between St. Louis winger Steve Tuttle and Buffalo defenseman Uwe Krupp.'

'According to media reports, referee Bill McCreary considered postponing the game but after meeting both coaches decided to play the final minutes of the contest after they were informed Zednik was in stable condition.'

'“The fact that he had the sense to come over to the bench and not waste any time allowed our trainer to give him attention,” Florida coach Jacques Martin said. “I thought the medical team here in Buffalo was quick to react. As soon as he got into the dressing room, I think they were able to stabilize him and stop the bleeding, which was probably crucial."'

'Zednik, still in full uniform, was then taken to an ambulance. Zenobi escorted Zednik to the hospital and was staying overnight, along with Panthers Assistant General Manager Randy Sexton. Zednik's wife, Jessica, was flying to Buffalo on a Panthers charter.'