A terrible way to start the NHL season for the Atlanta Thrashers.
A scary moments, Atlanta goaltender Ondrej Pavelec collapsed on the ice and had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher just 2:35 into the Thrashers' season-opener against Washington on Friday night.
With play stopped after a whistle in the Washington zone and just 2:35 gone in the game, Pavelec collapsed onto his back a few feet in front of the Atlanta net and did not move. Medical personnel from both teams raced onto the ice, and after several minutes he was taken off on a stretcher.
Pavelec a 23-year-old from Kladno, Czech Republic lost consciousness and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation, but that no other details were available.
Update:
Thrashers starting goaltender Ondrej Pavelec was taken off the ice on a stretcher after losing consciousness and collapsing during the Thrashers season opener Friday night.
According to team officials, Pavelec, 23, was taken to an undisclosed local hospital for further evaluation. Pavelec later regained consciousness according to a person familiar with the situation.