Our thoughts are with Paul Ranger tonight after the Leafs defenceman took a brutal hit from behind at the end of tonight’s 1st period. Ranger stayed face down for some time before slowly being turned and placed on a stretcher, with concerns about a possible head or neck injury.
Ranger reportedly gave a thumbs up on his way off the ice, and was seen moving his feet and blinking. He was taken to a local hospital by ambulance.
Update:
The #leafs say Paul Ranger is stable, conscious and alert in hospital.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) March 20, 2014
Update 2:
Great news that Paul ranger is declared fit and good to go. #TMLtalk
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) March 20, 2014
This deserves a good hard look from the League at the least. Alex Killorn is staring at the numbers all the way through and chooses to follow through with the hit anyway. Paul Ranger overskating the puck and pivoting back placed his head in a vulnerable spot, but it is a hit from behind with plenty of advanced warning.
