Sat Oct 27 18:09:33 2007

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Bruins' Bergeron leaves game on stretcher

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Boston, MA (Sports Network) - Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron was taken off the ice on a stretcher in the first period of Saturday's game against Philadelphia.

With 3:53 left in the stanza, Bergeron was playing the puck along the end boards when he was elbowed in the back of the head and sent face-first into the glass by Philadelphia defenseman Randy Jones.

Bergeron was knocked unconscious from the hit and lay prone on his back. He was eventually immobilized, then tediously loaded onto a stretcher. He did not appear to regain consciousness at any point before being taken off the ice.

Jones was given a five-minute major for boarding as well as a game misconduct for the hit, which marks the third time a Philadelphia player has been involved in a violent on-ice act this season.

Jesse Boulerice received a 25-game suspension, without pay, for cross- checking Vancouver's Ryan Kesler across the face on October 10, while Steve Downie was suspended 20 games for leaving his feet to deliver a dangerous check on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond in the preseason.