AHLer crashes into boards headfirst, stretchered off the ice

Stan Temming
Updated
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Things became quite scary during Game 1 of the first round playoff series between the AHL’s Hershey Bears and Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Friday.

With his side up 2-1 in the third period, Bears’ blueliner Aaron Ness crashed into the end boards after jumping into the rush in search of Hershey’s third tally of the contest.

While streaking down the middle of the ice in the Sound Tigers’ zone, the 28-year-old lost his balance while battling for position. Sliding on his backside, Ness clipped the net and spun before he slammed into the boards headfirst.

The following videos of the incident contain graphic images that may be disturbing to viewers.

The game was stopped immediately as Ness laid on the ice motionless.

While his neck took the majority of the impact, it appeared that there was some slight movement in his legs while he was being tended to by trainers.

In a classy move by both teams and all those at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, Ness was given an ovation when he was stretchered off the ice.

Thankfully, the latest update on his condition is positive. Zack Fisch, Hershey’s radio play-by-play broadcaster, reported that Ness was “awake and alert” and taken to the hospital for x-rays on Friday night.

According to Dan “Beaker” Stuck, Hershey’s Manger of Wellness and Team Affairs, via Fisch, “Everything looks good so far... Thank god he’s going to be okay.”

Ness was a second-round pick of the New York Islanders in the 2008 draft. Following a handful of seasons with the Sound Tigers — the Islanders’ AHL affiliate — and 29 NHL games, he signed a two-way contract with the Washington Capitals in 2015 and has been a mainstay on their affiliate’s blueline since.

He led all Bears defencemen with 55 points in 71 games this season.

Bridgeport went on to win the game 3-2 in double overtime.

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