NHL: Canadiens Danault taken to hospital

Montreal Canadiens forward Phillip Danault was taken to hospital on Saturday after being hit in the head by a slapshot from the Boston Bruins’ Zdeno Chara at the Bell Centre Arena.

Danault was standing between Chara and the Montreal goal with a couple other players late in the second period when Chara wound up from the blueline and delivered a head-high shot that slammed into the side of the Canadian player’s helmet.

Danault lay on the ice for several minutes before being taken away on a stretcher. The period was halted and the players were sent to their dressing rooms. The 97 seconds of time was tacked onto the third period.

Danault was moving and appeared to be speaking to medical staff before being wheeled off the ice.

The National Hockey League club issued a statement that said: “Danault suffered a head injury. He was taken to the hospital for further exams. He is awake and moving.”

Canadiens coach Claude Julien confirmed after his team’s 4-3 shootout loss that Danault would stay in hospital overnight, and be re-evaluated on Sunday.

“The news is good so far,” Julien said but added: “Injuries like that are always scary. A lot of guys are worried about him right now.”

Chara stayed near Danault as he was down on the ice.

“He was talking to me and responding so that made me feel better that he’s responding and he’s OK, and he’s not in a condition that he’s not responding,” Chara said. (AFP) Photo by rchdj10