Sports
New Canaan's Pacioretty Remains Hospitalized After Violent Hit
The Montreal Canadiens left wing suffered a severe concussion after fractured a vertebra after being checked headfirst into the glass by Boston's Zdeno Chara during Tuesday's game in Montreal
New Canaan native Max Pacioretty, who is in his third season with the Montreal Canadiens, suffered a severe concussion and fractured vertebra after receiving a violent hit in Tuesday's game with the Boston Bruins in Montreal.
Speaking to the media following Wednesday's practice, Canadiens coach Jacques Martin said the 22-year-old Pacioretty fractured his fourth cervical vertebrae but that it is not displaced. Martin indicated that Pacioretty will remain hospitalized for further observation.
"There will be no other prognosis for the time being, but he will obviously be out indefinitely," he said. "The most important thing for our organization right now is Max’s recovery. We will continue following recommendations from the doctors."
Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Late in the second period of the Canadiens' 4-1 win, Pacioretty was checked headfirst into the glass by Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara.
The hit sent Pacioretty flying into the glass partition at the end of the Bruins' bench. He lay on the ice and remained motionless while being taken off the ice on a stretcher.
Find out what's happening in New Canaanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Canadiens later said that Pacioretty was conscious and moving his extremities when he was taken to the hospital.
Chara, who received an interference major and game misconduct with 15.8 seconds left in the period, told the Associated Press the hit was not intentional.
"I knew we were somewhere close to our bench but obviously that wasn't my intention to push him into the post," Chara said. "It's very unfortunate. In that situation everything's happening fast and even planning to do that, that's not my style to hurt somebody. I always play hard. I play physical but I never try to hurt anybody so I'm hoping he's okay.
Late Wednesday afternoon, the NHL announced that Chara would not be suspended for the hit.
The Canadiens' first-round draft pick in 2007, Pacioretty had been enjoying the best season of his brief NHL career with 14 goals and 10 assists in 37 games.
Tuesday's win was the fifth straight for the Canadiens.
Edtor's Note: This article was first published at 9:15 p.m. March 9.
