After Being Stretchered Off Thursday Night, Senators Provide Update on Erik Brannstrom

Brannstrom suffered an apparent head injury during Ottawa's 3-2 loss to the Islanders.

That was a terrible day for the Ottawa Senators. First, Shane Pinto was suspended for 41 games for violating NHL gambling rules. Then the Senators lost their third game in a row, 3-2, on Long Island.

But the worst storyline by far was the injury to Erik Brannstrom. 

Brannstrom was stretchered off the ice during the game Thursday night after an unexpected hit along the boards from Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck, who outweighs him by almost 40 pounds. Brannstrom had just dumped the puck in, and Clutterbuck was backchecking hard, so he probably wasn't in Brannstrom's field of vision until the very last second, if at all. As the Islanders forward caught up to hit him just after releasing the puck, Brannstrom had no idea the hit was coming.

With his upper body briefly pinned hard to the boards, his legs remained free, flying upward with forward momentum, just as Clutterbuck let go. Brannstrom fell hard, with the back of his head hitting the ice first. Brannstrom was knocked unconscious and appeared to have seizure-like activity in his right leg.

The Senators issued this statement on social media: 

"After sustaining an injury in tonight's second period, Erik Brannstrom is alert, has use of his extremities, and has been transported to a local hospital for further evaluation."

D.J. Smith provided some more details after the game.

"He's going to stay overnight (at the hospital) and get further testing," Smith told media after the game. "Obviously, it's emotional for the guys and everyone involved. We're  awaiting word. Looks like he's okay right now. It's positive, but we'll wait for more news."

Clutterbuck was terse with the media after the game and was asked how scary the situation was.

"Not good. Not good," Clutterbuck said. "Honestly, I still have a pit in my stomach about it. I hate that. I hate it." 

The 24-year-old Brannstrom had 19 points in 74 games last season but has been held off the scoresheet this season. The Senators are already without Artem Zub on this road trip, which continues in Pittsburgh on Saturday night.