Above you see Richard Zednik and Olli Jokinen of the Florida Panthers celebrating one of Zednik's goals in a hat trick performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs last week.
Tonight, the feelings among the Panthers, their fans, and the world of hockey in general are a good deal more somber.
Richard Zednik was injured this evening as a result of a freakish tumble and swing of a skate by Jokinen, who was trying to fight off a check during the third period of the Buffalo Sabres' 5-3 win against the Panthers in Buffalo.
You can find the video of the incident without much trouble, if you are so inclined. It is not pretty to watch. It was uncomfortably reminiscent of another incident in Buffalo -- in March 1989 -- when Sabre goaltender Clint Malarchuk nearly lost his life to a skate blade slicing through his neck. Or that of Bengt Akerblom, who died as a result of an accident similar to Malarchuk's that occurred in an exhibition game between Swedish hockey teams Brynas and Mora in October 1995.
It is a reminder that hockey, for all its grace and power, is a game that is played quite literally "on the edge."
Caps fans -- perhaps peculiarly so -- have seemed always to have a soft spot for Zednik. You can find "Zed-heads" even today among the faithful. Perhaps it is a function of his having achieved a measure of success in the league despite having been drafted 249th overall in 1994. To accomplish what he has, having come from so far, is a reflection of the player and the person.
For both, we and all Caps fans wish a speedy recovery. Get well, and come back soon, Zed.
Sabre goaltender Ryan Miller, in front of whom the play unfolded, reacts:
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