This is like Clint Malarchuk’s injury. How weird is it that now 2 of these incidents have happened in Buffalo in the past 20 years. God…I hope Zednik is alright and survives this. It would be a terrible thing if he died, I don’t know what the NHL would do if that happened.

Posted by Luke on 02/10/08 at 08:37 PM ET

I hope he is okay.

Posted by Sp4r7an on 02/10/08 at 08:45 PM ET

Damnn
yea i saw the other incident, he was a goalie
but this one i never saw, buht it looks bad
hope he is ok

Posted by Zaqi on 02/10/08 at 08:45 PM ET

Terrible.  But just like Malarchuk, Zednik gets up (with help) and skates off the ice.  Hockey players are TOUGH.  Man I hope he is okay.  A former Cap to boot (as was Malarchuk).  I turned the game on with five minutes left and the Sabres play-by-play guy (Jarinette - sp?) never said a single word.  And he didn’t even tune down his scream when the Sabres scored to ice the game.  You could probably hear him throughout the silent arena.  What a jackass.  Even after the game, he barely mentions Zednik and then finds a way to relate the Sabres players to the accident.  No class.

Posted by Sig from DC on 02/10/08 at 08:53 PM ET

THey supposedly stopped the bleeding so i hope he is ok

Posted by B S from St.Catharines on 02/10/08 at 08:55 PM ET

Sig, I was watching the Sabres feed and both Rick Jeanerette and Harry Neale were very concerned when it happened and were hoping for the best.

Once the game continued with the news Zednik was in stable condition, their mood was a little better, but again, both guys from Sabres were very concerned about Zednik.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/10/08 at 08:57 PM ET

My prayers go to Richard Zednik and the entire Florida Panthers organization as well as Zednik’s family and the entire NHL and possibly the world of sports as well.

Posted by Luke on 02/10/08 at 09:06 PM ET

Viewer Discretion::::

http://youtube.com/watch?v=O1xQM1LTGK0

Posted by Sig from DC on 02/10/08 at 09:07 PM ET

Godspeed, Richard!  All of us in the hockey world are praying for you.

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 02/10/08 at 09:23 PM ET

Sig,

Are you stupid?  They spent 15 minutes doing nothing except talking about it and how terrible it was. 

When the game finally continued he had to call the game just like the players had to play.  Should he not have?  He’s doing TV and Radio, so it’s not like he can assume everyone listening is watching also.

Posted by Ben on 02/10/08 at 09:40 PM ET

according to sportsnet ( http://youtube.com/watch?v=XkdH5ECc9_A ) he collapsed in the alleyway.

Posted by bcrt on 02/10/08 at 09:53 PM ET

Wasn’t the neck, but Kevin Bieksa had a nasty cut from a skate that cut the calf muscle. Still out.

Malarchuck’s still takes the cake though. That was so gross. Don’t watch if you are the queasy type.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk3ceQaAgvg

Hopefully Zednik is okay!

Posted by Laker from Dapuddle on 02/10/08 at 10:12 PM ET

Benny,

Jarinette did a FINE job when it happened. But it is classless to scream at the top of your lungs when the Sabres scored after this. I don’t even know who scored, but the Buffalo player showed a world of class by skating to the bench and sitting down… he didn’t even go down the bench to get his congrats. THAT is class. Screaming GOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLLLLL in Florida, in an arena where you could probably hear a pin drop after THEIR PLAYER just got his throat cut, does not show class. And when the game was over, Neale said something about the Florida players having other things on their minds and Jarinette chimes in about it being bothersome TO THE SABRES too. Jarinette is probably THE BIGGEST homer commentator in the league beyond this. But this just adds to jackassedness that is Jarinette.  All that being said, the focus should be on Zednik, so you can have the last post.  I’m done.  As a Caps fan (Malarchuk and Zednik both played for the Caps) and a Skins fan (Sean Taylor was shot in his artery and passed), I’ve seen enough of all of this.

Posted by Sig from DC on 02/10/08 at 10:17 PM ET

Sig, gimme a break.  No one who was paying attention can complain that anyone involved with the game - the announcers, the players, the fans - were anything but respectful and concerned about Zednik.  Jeanneret, Neale, and Ray all repeatedly spoke about what a terrible thing it was to see and how they hoped everything was okay and almost the entire postgame show as about Zednik.

I generally try not to make sweeping judgments based on five minutes of a broadcast.

Posted by Heather B. from Buffalo, NY on 02/10/08 at 10:22 PM ET

Sig, the game was in Buffalo.  And I’m pretty sure all the players probably were concerned so I’m not sure why it was so wrong for that to be pointed out.  Jeanneret called the Malarchuk game so he has some idea how that kind of think affects the people seeing it.

Posted by Hea from Buffalo, NY on 02/10/08 at 10:24 PM ET

Sig, get a grip.  First of all, it was in Buffalo, not Florida.  Second of all, Jeanneret is doing a job.  When he mentions the Sabres having to deal as well, he’s pointing out that there’s no “sides” and everyone is affected - everyone’s human.

And if you want to hear real homers, listen to Boston’s announcers.  You don’t have the slightest clue what a homer is if you think Jeanneret’s the worst.

I remember almost throwing up watching Malarchuk bleed nearly to death.  And this was about as bad.  It’s a real reach to rip the announcer.

Posted by Red from Buffalo, NY on 02/10/08 at 10:29 PM ET

Maybe you would all feel different if Paul Gaustad had just had his neck sliced opened and Mike Lange screamed GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL at the the top of his lungs after the Penguins iced the game with a powerplay goal.  Nah… that wouldn’t bother you, would it?  Yeah right.

Posted by Sig from DC on 02/10/08 at 10:31 PM ET

The issue is that Zednik got his neck sliced…the man could die…let’s try and focus on the real issue his health.  Get well soon Zednik.

Posted by Bethany on 02/10/08 at 10:37 PM ET

It might bother me but I would also understand that Lange is in the difficult position of trying to announce what was an important game for his team in light of a horrible situation.  I don’t know what’s so hard to understand about that.

Calling Jeanneret a homer is one thing - he is a bit of a homer, no doubt - but calling him classless based on what you admitted was five minutes of a broadcast is ridiculous.

But yeah, I’m glad all signs seem to point to Zednik being okay.  Definitely a scary moment.

Posted by Heather B. on 02/10/08 at 10:42 PM ET

Sig

You really don’t have a freaking clue do you?  From the time that Zednik was hit with the skate to the time that the puck dropped again, RJ and Harry Neale were very, very concerned and worried for Zednik’s life.

If you have watched any other Sabres games on the Buffalo feed, you’ll know that the two commentators are among the best and most objective it has been my pleasure to listen to.  They are nothing like the sycophants for the Rangers and especially the Bruins who call the game as if their team was the only ones on the ice.

If you have the balls and guts, watch the Malarchuk incident at the Old Aud that happened 19 years ago.  RJ called the game that night too and so you’ll see (and hear) how compassionate he was as he watched Clint’s life blood cover most of the ice…he nearly died.

Oh and to answer your question, it bothers me whenever ANY player is seriously injured, the game is irrelevant.

NHL Network just reported that Zednik is out of surgery and is “resting comfortably”.  That makes your asinine tirade pretty meaningless…oh wait…it was meaningless REGARDLESS of Zednik’s condition wasn’t it?

Posted by mandj1218 from Northern NY on 02/10/08 at 10:43 PM ET

Sig,  I’m really not that freaking concerned with the announcing, OK?  IF that’s the biggest concern you have right now, good for you.  So what would you have had Jeanneret do?  He and Harry Neale were noticeably shaken, Rob Ray was heard yelling for the Sabres trainer to get out on the ice to do something, and the whole announcing team was hushed and grave during the entire stoppage.  And when it was time to get back to work, that’s what they did. 

And I watched my guy get sliced (Malarchuk) and did not really give a flying you-know about how the announcers did their job afterwards.  I was more concerned with the guy who almost bled to death.  Kinda like that’s what I’m doing now, looking for all the info I can in hopes that someone will tell me that the surgery was successful and that Zednik is going to be just fine.  Instead, I hear you bitching about announcers.  Fabulous. 

Thankfully, I just heard that Zednik’s out of surgery and OK.  That’s the best news.

Posted by Red from Buffalo, NY on 02/10/08 at 10:54 PM ET

Stupid WNY region media announcer being a homer for Buffalo.  Like, what the hell is that all about anyways?!  His broadcast reaches all the way to Batavia, does even realize how many Panthers fans there are in Batavia?

Next we’ll be expecting Ralph Wilson to NOT trash Buffalo in the national spotlight.

God we suck.  I can’t believe he called that goal .  I mean, the players got out there and played, but he should have reprimanded them not congratulated them.

Classless.

Posted by Ben from Buffalo, NY on 02/10/08 at 11:59 PM ET

Get well soon, Zednik. Even though it sounds like you’re safe and out of surgery, I’ve got you in my thoughts.

Posted by Alan from Atlanta on 02/11/08 at 03:49 AM ET

Rickky J and the rest of us all went silent. As a hockey player and a human I thought of the thin line that shifts between life/death knowing that every time you step on the ice or get outta bed it might be over in a second.  God or what ever is full of random BS that lurks a dagger ready to shove into yur back.  Meanwhile you might win a trillion bucks in the lottery.  Its a great mystery.

Posted by GREG from buffalo on 02/11/08 at 04:27 AM ET

Vicious! Hope he’s ok. Like any sport, or for that matter, even walking down the street, it can only take a moment.

Posted by Stefan on 02/11/08 at 05:10 AM ET

What If…

from Sabres Edge,

Did that really happen? Again? As bad as the luck was for Richard Zednik, just think of how fortunate he really was:

*What if he just falls to the ice in the corner rather than skates to the bench? Do trainers see him in time to help?

*What if he collapses halfway to the bench from all the blood loss? They couldn’t have just lifted him back up. They would have had to get the doctors and the stretcher out there, right at center ice with 18,690 watching in horror as a man undergoes life-saving procedures.

more

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/11/08 at 09:08 AM ET

Good read (What If…).  This morning I was so happy to wake up and hear that Zednik is resting comfortably.  After seeing the way the Sean Taylor artery situation went, I sincerely hope that Zeds takes his time to recover and relies on the great hospitals that we have in New York.  As for last night, I think I riled up a couple of Buffalo fans with my comments.  After having a night to rest on it, I think my comments were poorly timed.  I still do think that RJ could have toned down his circusesque goal call to refelect the mood of the arena and the situation at hand, much like Derek Roy toned down his goal celebration in appropriate style.  However, one man’s actions in a particular situation, and one that no one is used to dealing with, do not reflect his overall character.  So I apologize for harping on RJ too much and even more so for the poor timing of my comment.  My comment combined with numerous Buffalo replies takes away from where the attention should have been… and that is on Richard Zednik.

Posted by Sig from Washington DC on 02/11/08 at 09:24 AM ET

from On Frozen Pond,

Richard Zednik of the Florida Panthers continues to recover from a gruesome neck injury suffered Sunday night in a game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Randy Sexton, the team’s assistant general manager, said he was at Buffalo General Hospital until 3:30 a.m. on Monday. When reached later Monday morning, Sexton said Zednik remains in stable condition, with all signs pointing toward recovery.

more plus the hospital is scheduled to update the media sometime this afternoon.

Posted by Paul from Motown Area on 02/11/08 at 10:35 AM ET

If this is any consolation, here is a youtube of the Buffalo telecast during the stoppage of play. It’s between 10 and 11 minutes long, and it begins moments after Zednik and the medical staff left the ice and went up the tunnel.

They were VERY respectful and mindful of what a serious crisis was unfolding before them.

There IS a pair of very brief replays of the injury, with the video stopping just as the skate makes contact, and throughout the clip, they strictly avoided, as much as it was humanly possible to do so, showing the bloodstained areas of the ice. So while there are some distressing sights in the clip, I think the producers and the Buffalo announcers did a good job of covering the stoppage of play with respect.

Prayers and best wishes to Richard Zednik for his speedy and complete recovery. My heart goes out to him, his family, friends, teammates, and fans… and to everyone who witnessed the frightening spectacle last night, especially if they were there in person. Get well soon, Richard!

Posted by Donna M. from Philadelphia, PA on 02/11/08 at 12:04 PM ET

Sheesh. I’m so worked up, I forgot to put the darn link to the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzhuviXi3hc&feature=related

Posted by Donna from Philadelphia, PA on 02/11/08 at 12:06 PM ET

i think that they should have stoped the game. It was so shocking that the panther players could barely stop thinking about it. I think that they made the wrong move to continue the game

Posted by Mike on 02/11/08 at 12:43 PM ET

Does anyone remember in the Malarchuk injury if the game continued?

I remember:

1)  Pronger getting hit in the chest by a Lidstrom shot and collapsing to the ice but they continued that game.

2)  Jiri Fischer collapsing on the bench.  That game was halted and finished at a later date in Nashville.

In other words, do the refs go the benches of both teams to determine if the game should continue?  Who chooses then?

Posted by SYF from Las Vegas, NV on 02/11/08 at 12:57 PM ET

In other words, do the refs go the benches of both teams to determine if the game should continue?  Who chooses then?

Colin Campbell was there last night and spoke to Martin before they announced that the game was going to continue, so I assume that he had a hand in the decision.

Posted by Meg from New York City on 02/11/08 at 02:05 PM ET

Sig, I think it’s safe to say that everyone was a little worked up and emotional last night.  That said, I do appreciate your apology.  That doesn’t happen much on the ol’ interwebs :D

Continued prayers for Zednik.

Posted by Heather B. from Buffalo, NY on 02/11/08 at 02:13 PM ET

Sig, thanks for your follow up comment.  I was very upset by the tone of your comments last night.  Sometimes the internet seems like a really ugly place, and it’s refreshing to read such a honest apology.  Thank you so much.

Posted by Katebits from Buffalo, NY on 02/11/08 at 02:26 PM ET

Hey Sig.  Don’t sweat it.  Lotsa stuff going on last night, and I’m sure all were pretty emotional and it didn’t hurt anyone that we all got fired up here instead of somewhere it might have meant a damn.  Thanks…

Hear Zednik’s doing well, and I hope that continues.  Yo’re right Sig, that’s what matters.

Posted by Red from Buffalo on 02/11/08 at 09:27 PM ET