Surreal

It's nearly 12:30 a.m., almost an an hour and a half since I finished the story on Richard Zednik, and I still haven't left the arena. It's almost like Mike Harrington, AP writer John Wawrow and I are in a daze.

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.

*What must those people be thinking who were sitting in the corner where it happened? You can get an idea from this picture, but man, that will be even more unforgettable for them.

*What happens if, God forbid, Zednik takes a turn for the worse? With that injury, he's hardly out of the woods yet, despite the news the surgery was a success and he's resting comfortably. I hope we haven't seen someone's final day.

Rip Simonick said the Clint Malarchuk incident didn't hit him until the next day. Maybe that's why I'm still sitting here, trying to avoid the next day.

---John Vogl

Comments

[Kathy]

Great job by all medical personnel involved and quick thinking by the injured player. I cover our local minor league hockey team and my heart goes out to the writers (one of whom is my friend) and fans who witnessed this incident and especially both teams. Hockey is truly one big family and I know all were deeply affected. Best of luck to the Zednik, Panthers and Sabres families.

[RSZski]

It is so easy to yell about the neck protectors when this happens, but let's see the big picture. This has happened two times in 19 YEARS!! Both time here in Buffalo.

If the player wants to wear one as a precaution, I think that would be a great idea. But it doesn't have to be manditory because of this. That would be like saying, "since this happened in Buffalo twice in two decades, don't play hockey in Buffalo".

Silly, right? Now you get it.

Prayers to the Zednik family, the Panthers team, Sabres organization and those who saw it. The Sports front page of the News says it all...not only the player, but the fans behind him.

[John]

We talk about how tough it is to play football---and it is---but hockey is also one of the most brutal sports around. Yesterday's incident came out of nowhere, proving just that. People rail against them, but fights are usually harmless, because most of the times, it's a mutual decision by two players to go at it. The stickwork scares me more than the fighting. And, those skates, as we have twice found out in Buffalo can do serious damage.

Hockey is not only tough, it can be dangerous, but it's also why many of us love it. I still don't understand why NHL players aren't required to wear cages like the goalies do and like NCAA players do. I know it will take away the bravado that players have, but it will also reduce the risk of injuries such as what happened to Zednik.

[John]

I was at the game where Malarchuk was hurt and what it did then, as it does now, is remind you of how dangerous the game of hockey is. Given the way bodies are routinely upended, it's surprising that sort of thing doesn't happen more often.

After Malarchuk, I remember playing in adult leagues where people were fitted with flexible Kevlar neck/shoulder shields which are likely to prevent such injuries, or at least make them less severe, but I don't see those now, even in kids' games. I suppose the players, who had to be forced to wear their chin straps tight, would complain about how "restricted" such protection would make them feel, but why doesn't the NHL look into that?

Oh, that's right, it's the NHL ... your worst-run major professional sport for 70 years and counting.

[Artu DiToo]

Don't jump to conclusions. Together, we can jump over this hurdle.