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**jtkratzer** · 02-10-2008, 11:10 PM

Thank God this isn't something that doesn't happen often. What is it about people getting their necks/throats sliced in Buffalo? Most importantly, it sounds like he's going to be ok.

Quote:

Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik was rushed to hospital for surgery after taking a skate to the neck in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres at HSBC Arena.

With the Sabres leading 4-3 midway through the third period, linemate Olli Jokinen - who was being checked in the Sabres' zone - fell forward and his skate accidently flew up and caught the right side of Zednik's neck.

Zednik bled profusely from the cut but was able to skate toward his bench where he was met by the trainer and immediately ushered to the locker room.

Zednik is listed as stable and was transported to a hospital.

Players, coaches and fans sat in silence after the accident, and the game was delayed for 15 minutes as the blood was cleaned off the ice. Fans gave a standing ovation after the public address announcer gave the update on Zednik's condition.

Prior to resuming the game, referee Bill McCreary and Panthers coach Jacques Martin consulted in the tunnel outside the Panthers' dressing room while Sabres general manager Darcy Regier was seen talking with NHL vice president Colin Campbell, who was at HSBC Arena to watch his son Gregory play for the Panthers.

After the game, a Panthers spokesman said the team made arrangements to have Zednik's wife Jessica fly to Buffalo on Sunday night. Also, assistant general manager Randy Sexton and assistant trainer Dave Zenobi are remaining in Buffalo to be with Zednik.

Zednik, 32, signed a two-year deal with the Panthers last summer. The native of Slovakia has played in 12 NHL seasons with the Panthers, New York Islanders, Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens.

He has 15 goals and 26 points this season.

It's not the first time that hockey fans in Buffalo witnessed such an uncomfortable incident. Sabres goaltender Clint Malarchuk had his jugular sliced in a 1989 game against the St. Louis Blues.

Details to follow.