Ottawa defenseman Erik Brannstrom was stretchered off the ice following a hit from Cal Clutterbuck in the second period of Thursday’s 3-2 Islanders win over the Senators.
Brannstrom seemed to hit his head on the ice while falling after Clutterbuck’s hit along the left wall at 8:43 of the period and did not immediately get up.
The game was stopped for over five minutes, and both teams came onto the ice, with Brannstrom’s teammates taking a knee, as he was loaded onto the stretcher.
Brannstrom was transported to a local hospital and was alert, with use of his extremities, the Senators said in a statement.
Ottawa coach D.J. Smith told reporters Brannstrom would stay at the hospital overnight.
“I’ve got 3,800 hits, and I was just finishing him. I kept playing, I turned around, and everyone was yelling,” Clutterbuck said after the game. “Just hate to see it, honestly. I’m sick to my stomach about it. I was then. I am now. It’s not something that you want to have happen.”
Senators’ Erik Brannstrom is carted off the ice after he was injured during the second period. APA crowd that had been enjoying a 2-1 Islanders lead fell silent, applauding only when Brannstrom was taken off the ice.
“It’s scary. It’s very scary,” Senators captain Brady Tkachuk told reporters. “We tried making that effort about him, and we tried to win that game for him. Just what he means to our locker room. It’s emotional. You never want to see that, especially as good of a guy as he is.”
Brannstrom appeared to hit his head on the ice following a check from Cal Clutterbuck.
The Islanders ultimately fought their way to a win, but afterwards, Brannstrom was at front of mind for everyone in the dressing room.
“That’s awful to see. Obviously, you never want to see that, ever,” Bo Horvat said. “Hopefully he’s doing OK. Haven’t heard anything yet but just praying for him, and hopefully, everything’s gonna be all right; he’ll be back on the ice soon.”
Noah Dobson played 27:42 against Ottawa, marking a career-high in ice time. He also scored the game-winning goal and had a secondary assist, bringing his point streak to five games — also a career-high.
Scott Mayfield (leg) missed his fifth straight game Thursday. Alexander Romanov did not skate Thursday morning, with the team citing maintenance, but played.
Former Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic played his 800th NHL game Thursday against his old team.
