Canadiens' Pacioretty taken off on stretcher after violent hit by Bruins' Zdeno Chara

Montreal Canadiens' Max Pacioretty is wheeled away on a stretcher after taking a hit by Boston Bruins' Zdeno Chara during second period NHL hockey action Tuesday, March 8, 2011 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Ken Campbell
2011-03-08 21:57:00

MONTREAL - Montreal Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty was conscious, able to move and was taken to a local hospital after a devastating and scary incident in the Canadiens game against the Boston Bruins Tuesday night.

With the Canadiens leading 4-0 with 15.8 seconds remaining in the second period, Pacioretty poked the puck forward and then was hit along the boards by Chara. Pacioretty’s head collided with the stanchion at the end of the Bruins bench, then Pacioretty’s head struck the ice violently when he fell.

Pacioretty lay motionless for several moments while medical staff from both teams tended to him. Just prior to be carried off the ice on a stretcher, Pacioretty moved his lips and blinked.

"He's at the hospital, he should be OK," Habs GM Pierre Gauthier told The Hockey News.

When asked if he wished to comment on the hit, Gauthier responded: "No, absolutely not."

Chara received a five-minute major penalty for interference and a game misconduct and will will be subject to supplementary discipline by the league.