Aaron Ward Update

Boston Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward left last night's game under his own power with a neck injury after a collision with Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar. Ward is in stable condition in a hospital, the second time this week an NHL player has required such treatment for such an injury. Ward was not bleeding when he left the ice and did not leave on a stretcher. Following the 2-1 victory, coach Claude Julien said

“They just want to play it safe and keep him here for 24 hours before they release him. All I know is that he was coughing up some blood and that’s why they sent him to the hospital to get him under observation to make sure everything’s under control.”

The 35-year-old Ward was skating toward Gonchar near the end boards when Gonchar got either his forearm or his stick up and accidentally struck Ward in the throat.

"I got there and he was making a choking sound, holding his throat and gasping for air," Zdeno Chara said.

The Bruins were told Ward wasn't seriously hurt, but that he should remain in UPMC Presbyterian for at least 24 hours as a precaution. The team did not disclose the exact nature of Ward's injury.