Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Michal Neuvirth collapsed in his crease and was carried off in a stretcher on Saturday during his club’s NHL game against the New Jersey Devils.
The Flyers said on Twitter that the 29-year-old Czech had been hospitalized for observation after the frightening incident 7:37 into the first period of the game.
Neuvirth was awaiting a faceoff at the far end of the ice when he fell backward in his crease and landed on his back. There had been no sign of contact with another player, and he lay motionless as Flyers medical staff attended to him.
Neuvirth appeared to be unconscious for a brief time but soon began moving his arms and legs. He sat up before he was taken off the ice.
Neuvirth stopped six shots before the incident.
His collapse recalled that of former Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Ondrej Pavelec in 2010 against the Washington Capitals, when Neuvirth was in goal for the Caps.
Doctors determined Pavelec fainted, then suffered a concussion when his head hit the ice.
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