Bruins Bergeron taken to hospital after hit

Suffers concussion, broken nose; Flyers defenceman apologetic

Last Updated: Saturday, October 27, 2007 | 8:38 PM ET

CBC Sports

The health of centre Patrice Bergeron took precedence over any concerns the Boston Bruins may have had over a 2-1 loss to visiting Philadelphia Saturday afternoon.

Bergeron, 22, suffered a concussion and broken nose following a devastating hit from behind by Flyers defenceman Randy Jones late in the first period.

Patrice Bergeron is wheeled out on a stretcher after being hit along the boards by Philadelphia's Randy Jones.
(Michael Dwyer/Associated Press)

He was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where he was treated 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.

Bergeron crumpled to the ice and lay on his back motionless after Jones drove his head into the end boards with his forearm.

The Bruins forward was chasing a loose puck in Philadelphia's zone when Jones closed in on him and drove his head into the boards with his forearm.

"Words can't express the way I feel right now," Jones, 26, said in a statement released by the Flyers.

"I am very apologetic for the hit and what I did. It wasn't intentional, it's something I have never done before, it is not part of my character.

"I'm extremely sorry, I hope he does OK and everything works out for him. I wish him nothing but the best in his recovery."

Medical personnel placed Bergeron 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 as he was treated.

Jones was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct.

Bruins 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."

Flyers prospect Steve Downie was suspended 20 games after a hit to the head of Ottawa Senators forward Dean McAmmond in an exhibition contest. Then on Oct. 10 in Vancouver, Jesse Boulerice laid a vicious cross-check to the mouth of Canucks centre Ryan Kesler that resulted in a 25-game suspension.

Martin Biron stopped 37 shots and Mike Richards had a short-handed goal in Saturday's contest to help Philadelphia snap a two-game losing skid. Joffrey Lupul also scored.

Marco Sturm replied for Boston, which dropped its first home game of the season.