Tue Feb 12 15:02:06 2008

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Zednik's condition upgraded from stable to good

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Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik continues to improve at a Buffalo hospital as he recovers from a scary incident in which he had his carotid artery severed by a skate blade in a Sunday contest against the Sabres.

Buffalo General Hospital upgraded Zednik's condition from stable to good and said he will be moved from the intensive care unit to a private patient room Tuesday afternoon.

Zednik needed a life-saving procedure Sunday night following the horrific incident, which took place in the third period of Florida's 5-3 loss at HSBC Arena.

The Panthers' Olli Jokinen was chasing down the puck in the right corner of the Buffalo end. He was upended as he attempted to reach for the puck and his right leg lifted into the air. As Zednik skated past, the blade of Jokinen's skate sliced Zednik in the neck.

Zednik began bleeding profusely and left a trail of blood as he managed to skate toward the Florida bench. Attendants jumped onto the ice and rushed him to the locker room. He never lost consciousness, despite losing about five pints of blood, and was transported to the hospital soon after.

On Monday, Dr. Sonya Noor, the attending surgeon, said the artery was not completely severed, but was "hanging by a thread."

Zednik is expected to miss the remainder of the season. The 32-year-old veteran has 15 goals and 11 assists for 26 points in 54 games this season.