DENVER (AP) — Devils forward Patrik Elias left New Jersey’s game against the Avalanche on a stretcher after being checked by Colorado defenseman Ryan Wilson.
Wilson hit Elias with a high check at the Avalanche blue line 38 seconds into the second period Saturday in Colorado’s 3-1 victory.
Elias stayed on the ice for about 5 minutes before he was secured onto the stretcher. He waved to the crowd as he was taken off the ice.
Elias had X-rays at Pepsi Center and was taken to a hospital for a CT scan but both results were negative.
“We had X-rays here for his neck and everything was fine,” Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said. “We went to the hospital just for precautionary reasons for a CT scan and everything is fine. The doctor didn’t know we were flying back after the game, so he said, ‘I’d just like to double check with a CT scan.’ So I went to the hospital with him and they got the report back. Everything is OK.”
No penalty was called on the hit, but 3:06 later Wilson dropped the gloves with Devils defenseman Mark Fraser.
Elias is part of the Czech Republic’s team that will compete in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver next month.