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BUFFALO, N.Y. - Overshadowed after Panthers forward Richard Zednik sustained a deep gash across the neck, Derek Roy scored twice to lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 5-3 win over Florida on Sunday night.
Zednik, who had blood gushing from his neck after being cut by a teammate's skate midway through the third period, was transported to hospital and listed in stable condition. The game was delayed for 15 minutes, and a hush fell over the crowd.
Zednik was behind the play and skating into the right corner of the Sabres' zone, when teammate Olli Jokinen was upended by Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell. Jokinen fell head-first to the ice, and his right leg flew up and struck Zednik directly on the side of the neck.
Clutching his neck, Zednik immediately raced to the Florida bench, leaving a long trail of blood. A Sabres trainer jumped on the ice to apply a towel across the player's neck, and Zednik was immediately escorted to the Panthers' dressing room.
Thomas Vanek had a goal and assist, while Jason Pominville and Patrick Kaleta also scored for the Sabres, who improved to 6-0-2 in their past eight games. Ryan Miller stopped 22 shots in earning his 100th career win, while Campbell had three assists.
Nathan Horton had a goal and assist, while Jokinen and Branislav Mezei scored for the Panthers, who lost for only the second time in six games (4-2).
The Panthers blew an opportunity to move within one point of Southwest Division-leading Washington, which took over the top spot following a 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers earlier in the day.
Buffalo, meanwhile, inched to within one point of idle Boston, which holds the Eastern Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.
The outcome, though, was secondary after Zednik was hurt.
A hush fell over the crowd at HSBC Arena. The crowd sat in silence and players and coaches looked on in shock from the benches as crews scraped the blood from the ice.
Zambonis were also driven out to clean the ice.
It wasn't until the public address announcer announced Zednik being in stable condition that the crowd gave a standing ovation.Tags: richard zednik neck slit cut buffalo sabres florida panthers clint |
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