[Article] Senators' Erik Brannstrom stretchered off ice, taken to hospital after big hit

[RWJC]

Senators' Erik Brannstrom stretchered off ice, taken to hospital after big hit

 

The Senators said the 24-year-old was alert and had use of his extremities.

 

by James O'Brien

 

Senators' Erik Brannstrom stretchered off ice, taken to hospital after big hit

The Senators said the 24-year-old was alert and had use of his extremities.

 

Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Brannstrom was removed from the ice on a stretcher after taking a big hit from New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck in the second period of Thursday's game.

 

Brannstrom had just released the puck at the Islanders' blue line when Clutterbuck body-checked him into the boards. Brannstrom appeared to hit his head and/or neck area on the ice when he landed.

 

 

 

 

 

Players from both teams remained on the ice while the Swede was tended to by medical personnel.

 

The Senators said Brannstrom was alert and had use of his extremities. The 24-year-old was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation.

New York went on to defeat Ottawa 3-2 to snap a three-game losing streak.

While some viewed Clutterbuck’s hit as late, others believed there was “nothing malicious” about the check. Clutterbuck did not receive a penalty on the play.

 

Entering play on Thursday, Clutterbuck ranked 11th among NHL players with 627 hits since 2000-01. The 35-year-old’s long history of physical play prompted some Senators fans and observers to argue that he doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.

 

By current standards, it would be surprising if there was any supplemental discipline for Clutterbuck. Moments like these may inspire a bit more discussion about policing hits on players who’ve already released a puck, whether that means calling more interference penalties or handing out more fines and suspensions.

 

For the most part, it seems like an unfortunate result from a sort of hit that happens fairly often, frequently without incident.

 

Brannstrom was part of the trade package Ottawa received when it sent Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights in 2019. The 17th pick of the 2017 NHL Draft has played in 197 NHL games, recording four goals and 45 assists. He's been held without a point through seven games so far this season.

 

link to rest of article:

https://apple.news/AOd04MHrzQP6CJeBC7lX-3A

[Hogs and Podz]

Damn... That also looked horrible... Doesn't appear at first glance malicious or with intent to injure but so unfortunate.  Glad to know he was conscious and responsive when leaving the ice.  Hope he recovers quickly.

[Wilbur]

By letter of the law, that's probably a little late, but that hit probably happens numerous times a game.  Echo the no malicious intent as well.

[Jess]

Looks unfortunate, but seems hard to claim that was a dirty hit. Hope he's alright and can heal well.

[Devron]

Looked clean but also Clutterbuck seems to be in a lot of these. Wasn’t it him that broke Boesers back? 

[D-Money]

24 minutes ago, Devron said:

Looked clean but also Clutterbuck seems to be in a lot of these. Wasn’t it him that broke Boesers back? 

 

It was whoever didn’t close the bench door properly’s fault, not Clutterbuck’s.

[RinkonRenfrew]

Unfortunate outcome. I hope he has a swift and full recovery.

 

Heavy hit, finished his check, maybe a touch late, but Brannstrom must have known some contact was coming.  Nothing dirty about that one. 

[Fan Abroad]

1 hour ago, D-Money said:

 

It was whoever didn’t close the bench door properly’s fault, not Clutterbuck’s.

 

 

2 hours ago, Devron said:

Looked clean but also Clutterbuck seems to be in a lot of these. Wasn’t it him that broke Boesers back? 

Virtanen was just turning around to close the door when it happened. Virtanen is a lot of things but that was not his fault. Also, BB initiated the hit on Clutterbuck. It was a series of unfortunate events.