Tomas Vokoun Hospitalized After Receiving Two-hander From Teammate

Florida Panthers goaltender Tomas Vocoun was taken to hospital after receiving a two-handed slash to his head from his teammate, defenseman Keith Ballard, following a goal scored by Atlanta Thrashers left winger Ilya Kovalchuk at 8:54 of the 1st period.

Ballard was trying to break his stick in frustration after Kovalchuk had stuffed a rebound behind Vocoun giving Atlanta a 2-1 lead, but the blade caught Vocoun on the side of his head as the goalie was rising to his feet. Luckily, there was no internal ear damage, but Vocoun did require stitches to close the laceration. Medical staff did a CAT scan and no additional injuries were detected.

Vocoun, 33, a native of Karlovy Vary in the Czech Republic, is an 11-year pro of the National Hockey League. This year he has appeared in 21 Florida Panthers games, with a 7-9 record.