VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Vancouver Canucks center Ryan Johnson was carried off the ice on a stretcher after sliding headfirst into the end boards early in the second period of Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Red Wings.
Johnson was skating full speed through the neutral zone before chipping the puck into the Detroit end, and appeared to lose his balance as he tried to step around defenseman Niklas Lidstrom, falling heavily and awkwardly into the end boards.
Red Wings forward Kirk Maltby arrived first and immediately waived for medical help from the Canucks bench as Johnson lay on the ice. Johnson, a penalty-killing specialist was placed on a spinal board and lifted onto a stretcher before being taken off the ice.
Avs: Budaj has swine flu
The Colorado Avalanche confirm that backup goalie Peter Budaj has the swine flu.
Budaj didn’t accompany the Avalanche on their four-game road trip that begins in Edmonton. There’s a chance Budaj could rejoin the team later in the trip if he’s cleared by team doctors.
The team said no other players have come down with the virus.
Budaj was scheduled to start his first game of the season last Friday against Carolina, but was scratched.
Stars F Ott suspended 2 games
Dallas Stars forward Steve Ott has been suspended two games for a low hit on St. Louis Blues defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo.
The NHL announced the suspension Tuesday.
The hit occurred midway through the second period in the Stars’ 4-1 victory on Saturday. No penalty was assessed on the play.
Ott, who forfeits $34,756 in salary, won’t be eligible to return to the lineup until Oct. 31 at Nashville.
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