| Johnson carried off ice on stretcher after sliding headfirst into boards
2009-10-28 00:00:00 VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Canucks centre Ryan Johnson was taken to hospital Tuesday after he crashed heavily into the end boards in a game against the Detroit Red Wings.
A hush fell over GM Place when Johnson was strapped to a spinal board and then to a stretcher.
A team spokeswoman said later that Johnson was alert and had full movement but was taken to hospital for further observation.
Johnson moved briefly while Brad May of the Red Wings went to him and Detroit forward Kirk Maltby motioned to the Canuck bench for medical assistance.
The injury occurred after the Thunder Bay, Ont., native took the puck at the Vancouver blue-line, raced to the Detroit blue-line and chipped the puck into the Wings zone.
As he chased the puck, he clipped Maltby's skate and brushed the hip of defenceman Niklas Lidstrom.
He was off balance as he hit the end boards but it appeared he was able to tuck his head in before making contact with his back and shoulder.
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Kyle Busch said it point-blank: “It’s never Junior; it’s always the crew chief.” | 
10-28-2009, 12:53 AM
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