Ouch - 10-24-08

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Take a look at what Boston forward Milan Lucic did to Maple Leafs defenseman Mike Van Ryn last night:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnXOLoOSbvc]
 
Yeesh. He stuck him through the glass.

Thankfully, Van Ryn was alright. Other than being "itchy" he escaped injury. He even scored a goal later in the same period of a 4-2 win at Boston. The win ended a five-game losing streak for the Maple Leafs.

Four spectators in were injured by the glass and two went to the hospital with some injuries.

By the way, that wasn't the only big hit in this game. Take a look at what Boston's Dennis Wideman did to Toronto's Matt Stajan:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-nTG9BxefI]
 
HEADS UP

Speaking of injured spectators, a Penguins fan who was hit by a puck during the team's home opener wrote in to give us an update on his health:

"I read your blog from the opener. I was the guy that was hit with the puck in A 27 Row B at the 3:28 mark of the first period. Just to be clear, I WAS paying attention. Have you ever sat down that low? You can't see a damn thing... those seats actually are terrible. The play, if I recall, was in the neutral zone towards the Devils end, where I could see absolutely nothing.

After receiving medical attention for my bleeding head, I returned to the game for the second period. In a very classy move by the Devils, one of their trainers handed me a Reebok Devils hat, signed by all of the scratched players that evening.  He said "From the N.J. Devils.  We're glad you're ok and hope you feel better soon." Very classy. 

Anyway, I ended up sustaining a concussion. I am still suffering from dizziness, light headedness, and some other symptoms. Now a full week later, I have yet to hear from the Pittsburgh Penguins asking me how I am. Very disappointing to say the least. Just thought I would share with you."

Bryan

EN-First and foremost, let's all hope for Bryan's quick recovery. Second, we apologize to Bryan for assuming he wasn't paying attention. We were simply offering some public advice to anyone sitting down low near the action.

EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS

Penguins

-EN reader Geoff Marton spotted this absolute gem of a jersey at last night's game; An Esa Tikkanen Edmonton Oilers:

-That might be hands-down the finest jersey we've ever been made aware of at Mellon Arena.

-Dave Molinari's recap from last night.

-Darryl Sydor. Always ready to go.

-What's up with Janne Pesonen?

-Paul Bissonnette's fight with Carolina's Dan LaCouture from last night:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pbRoz4aleoI]

-Eric Godard's tilt with Wade Brookbank:

[View:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nythgyIrL28]

-Why is Michel Therrien touching Evgeni Malkin like this?

-Malkin seems to be puzzled by it as well.

-Faceoff-Factor scored an interview with Penguins prospect Joe Vitale.

-Changes in travel plans prevented the Staals from being brothers.

-Former Penguins forward Nathan Smith was cleared of charges of public lewdness in Scranton.

Atlantic Division

-By the sounds of things, Rangers forward Aaron Voros (right) is a very grateful, thoughtful individual. He wrote a letter to his former coach, the Wild's Jacques Lemaire, and thanked Lemaire for helping him develop into an NHL-caliber player.

-The Rangers want forward Nikolai Zherdev to break out this season.

-Islanders forward Mike Sillinger and defenseman Andy Sutton are close to returning from injuries.

-Will the Flyers return defenseman Luca Sbisa to his junior team?

-Philadelphia's blue line is a mess.

-As hard as it might be to believe, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur is off to the best start of his storied career.

-Devils forward Barry Tallackson took part in his first practice since undergoing heart surgery.

-Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo! interviewed filmmaker and noted Devils fan Kevin Smith. Smith takes a shot at "Sudden Death." How dare he!?!

Northeast Division

-Derek Roy's overtime goal gave the Sabres a 4-3 win at Minnesota. At 6-0-1, Buffalo is still undefeated.

-Maple Leafs forward Jason Blake, he of the $5 million-a-year contract, was a healthy scratch last night.

-Senators coach Craig Hartsburg is getting impatient with goaltender Martin Gerber.

-The Bruins need some help in the shootout.

-Canadiens fans, never the lot to put too much pressure on a young player, have given goaltender Carey Price (right) the nickname of "Jesus Price."

Southeast Division

-The Capitals signed defenseman John Erskine to a two-year deal worth $1.25 million each season. On a team a little light on physical play, Erskine is one of the few sources of nastiness on the Capitals.

-The Lightning finally officially signed former Rangers defenseman Marek Malik to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million.

-The Thrashers demoted forward Mike Hoffman to Chicago of the AHL.

-Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour said his team was horrible in its 4-1 loss to the Penguins last night.

Central Division

-The Predators activated forward Nick Tarnasky from injured reserve.

-The Blue Jackets demoted goaltender Steve Mason to Syracuse of the AHL.

-Columbus forward Mike Peca's five-games suspension for abusing an official is over.

-Blue Jackets forwards Jared Boll, Rick Nash, Fredrik Modin and Jason Chimera are good people.

-Prior to last night's games, 94-year-old Blues forward Keith Tkachuk (right) was the league-leader in goals with seven.

-Red Wings forward Marian Hossa will face the Thrashers for the first time tomorrow night since being traded to the Penguins last season.

-After having offseason surgery, Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom is off to a fast start.

Northwest Division

-The Flames got a hat trick from Jarome Iginla and came from behind in a 5-3 win at Nashville.

-Ian Laperriere had a Gordie Howe hat trick for the Avalanche in a 4-1 defeat of the Oilers. Colorado has won four consecutive games.

-Canucks forward Pavol Demitra is dealing with a rib injury.

-The Oilers recalled defenseman Theo Peckham from Springfield of the AHL.

Pacific Division



-A career-high five points by Mike Ribeiro (above) helped the Stars claim a 5-3 win against the Islanders.

-Mikael Tellqvist made 31 saves for the Coyotes who edged the Capitals, 2-1.

-The Ducks signed former Hurricanes defenseman Bret Hedican.

-Anaheim forward Ryan Getzlaf had surgery for an abscessed tooth.

-Sharks forward Joe Thornton is dealing with a groin injury again.

Norris Division

-The Canadian dollar is really unstable right now and that's making things a little difficult for the NHL's Canadian teams.

-For the second time in NHL history, all 30 teams in the league will be playing on Saturday.

(Photos: Therrien-Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press; Voros-Michal Cizek/Getty Images; Tkachuk-Jeff Roberson/Associated Press; Ribeiro-Jim McIssac/Getty Images)