Maple Leafs' Paul Ranger leaves on stretcher after hit from behind
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Paul Ranger left Wednesday night's game against Tampa Bay on a stretcher after receiving a dangerous hit from Lightning forward Alex Killorn along the boards.
Killorn delivered the blow with only seconds remaining in the first period when the two went into the the corner while chasing a dump-in from Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.
Medical staff immediately attended to Ranger, who was motionless and face-down on the ice for quite some time after the hit. It took nearly 10 minutes for the the 29-year-old to be lifted onto the stretcher, but he was conscious while medical staff worked with him and able to move his arms and legs.
Killorn received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit, which will be reviewed by Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety. Killorn, 24, has never been suspended or fined by the NHL.
An early intermission was called and the remaining time in the period was resumed before the second period. Leafs players gathered around Ranger as he lay on the ice, while many Tampa Bay players remained to make sure their former teammate was okay.
For updates on Paul Ranger's status, you can follow the Maple Leafs on Twitter.
-- By Michael McMahon