EON

Buffalo – Richard Zednik of the Florida Pathers was rushed to the hospital after taking a skate blade to the neck during Florida’s game against Buffalo Sunday night.

The injury occurred as Zednik’s teammate Olli Jokinen was checked hard; as he fell, his skate flew up and caught Zednik on the side of the neck.

Zednik was able to make his way, shakily, to the bench, when he stumbled into the arms of his Panthers teammates and medical staff.

Panthers defenseman Steve Montador recalled seeing Zednik in a state of shock as he got to the bench.

“He looked pale, he was obviously standing and to a degree, coherent. But he didn’t look as focused as you or I right now. He was staring at nothing,” Montador said. “That’s a pretty brave guy to realize what’s going on: Grab your neck and get off the ice.”

According to ESPN, Zednik is now stable after his emergency surgery to repair the deep gash in the side of his neck.