Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Brännström had to be stretchered off the ice tonight in a scary scene at UBS Arena. The Senators were on the road to take on the New York Islanders when Brännström was checked into the boards by Cal Clutterbuck after a dump-in. The hit spun Brännström around and his head appeared to hit the ice very hard after the initial contact.
The players and officials on the ice signalled right away to the bench for assistance and the medical staff were quick to respond before Brännström was stretched off the ice. The incident quieted the crowd and was very concerning as Brännström didn’t move for some time after the hit.
Little is known at this time about Brännström’s condition although he did appear responsive a few moments after the hit. The Senators Communications team has tweeted that Brännström is alert, can move his extremities and will be transported to hospital to be evaluated further.
The incident comes one night after a very similar incident in the AHL in which Vasily Podkolzin of the Abbotsford Canucks suffered a terrible head injury after being hit into the boards and falling awkwardly to the ice. Much like Brännström, Podkolzin’s head hit the ice hard and a stretcher was needed to assist him.
PHR would like to wish both Brännström and Podkolzin a speedy recovery.
I happened to be listening to the Sens’ radio coverage last night, and both Dean & Gord thought the hit was late. The video backs that up. Naturally, no penalty called on the play, but probably should have. Brännström looked like he was in a snow globe shaken by a kid that had too many candy bars. It was every bit as grave as the guys called it on the interweb radio. Hopefully, Brännström will be OK, but it looked really bad. Same goes for Podkolzin.