Bruins' Bergeron Seriously Injured by Flyers' Randy Jones

BOSTON -- Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron was seriously injured by a hit from behind by Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Randy Jones in the first period of the teams' match-up on Saturday at the TD BankNorth Garden.

Bergeron was hit into the endboards behind the Flyers' goal at 16:07 of the first period. Jones hit Bergeron while chasing a loose puck with his elbow driving the Bruin's head and neck into the glass. Bergeron immediately slumped to the ice and remained motionless for several seconds.

Following the hit a melee ensued when Bruins forward Chuck Kobasew immediately went after Jones. Jones was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct. Kobasew received two minutes for roughing.

Bruins and Flyers medical staffs worked on Bergeron for several minutes, strapping him to a backboard to immobilize his spine and carting him off the ice on a stretcher.

According to the Bruins, Bergeron was knocked unconscious by the hit. He was then rushed to Mass General Hospital by ambulance. There is still no word as to the extent of his injuries.

"Just to look at that hit by itself, it's wrong," NESN broadcaster Andy Brickley commented during the game's first intermission. "[Bergeron] did not put himself in a position to get hit from behind, he was a straightforward skater to that puck to make a play, and the player Jones zeroed in from behind, and he hit him high."

Jones will most certainly receive a suspension, making him the third Flyer this season to be sanctioned by the league for a vicious hit.

Forward Steve Downie was suspended for 20 games by the league for a head shot on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond September 28th, a hit that left the Senator with a concussion. Jesse Boulerice was then suspended 25 games for cross-checking Vancouver's Ryan Kesler in the face on October 11th, the longest single-season ban ever issued by the league.

Bergeron's parents had traveled from their home in L'Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec to attend the game.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Bergeron and his whole family, and we hope that he can make a full recovery after this horrific episode.

As for the Flyers, I think it's time for the league to take stiffer action against the team than just suspending players. The NHL should consider a suspension for coach John Stevens and a serious fine for the organization. Throughout this young season, this team has shown utter disregard for the safety of their opponents and continues to take cheap shots to the head. How many more players need to get seriously injured before the Flyers will stop this behavior? Three illegal hits in less than a month lead me to believe that this sort of dirty play is, on some level, tolerated by the organization and reinforced by the coaching staff. This needs to be nipped in the bud before we return to the brutality and pure idiocy of the Broad Street Bullies.