BOSTON (AP) -Bruins center Patrice Bergeron was taken from the ice on a stretcher Saturday against Philadelphia after losing consciousness when he was hammered into the boards face-first by defenseman Randy Jones, the third violent play this season involving a Flyers player.
Bergeron was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital and was diagnosed with a broken nose and a concussion by Bruins team physician Dr. Bertram Zarins.
Tests didn’t show any other serious injuries to Bergeron’s head or neck, and he was awake and able to move all his limbs, Zarins said.
Medical personnel cut away Bergeron’s jersey and shoulder pads as they worked on him, placing his neck in a brace. They placed him on a board and then onto a stretcher, his legs taped together and his arms folded across his chest. There was little sign of movement. The game was delayed some 15 minutes with 3:53 left in the first period.
Jones drew a 5-minute major for boarding and a game misconduct.
Bergeron and Jones were chasing a loose puck when Bergeron took the hit in the back and hit the glass face-first. He went down on the ice on his back and lay virtually motionless as Jones continued pursuing the puck. As the whistle blew, Boston’s Chuck Kobasew went after Jones, drawing a roughing penalty.
“Words really can’t express the way that I feel right now. I am very apologetic for the hit and what I did,” Jones said in a statement released by the team. “It was not intentional. It is something that I have never done before and it is not part of my character. I am extremely sorry.
“I hope he does OK and everything works out for him. I wish him nothing but the best in his recovery.”
Bruins head coach Claude Julien called it “a dirty hit.”
“I’m not saying he’s a dirty player, all I’m saying is it was a dirty hit. We’ll just have to let the league take care of it … and hopefully they will,” Julien said.
“This is the third major incident that club’s had in 10 games. It’s something that has to be addressed there.”
Jones’ hit is the latest incident involving the Flyers this season.
Steve Downie was suspended 20 games after a hit to Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond’s head in an exhibition game. Then on Oct. 10 in Vancouver, Jesse Boulerice cross-checked Ryan Kesler in the mouth, resulting in a 25-game suspension.
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