Zednik cut by skate to neck

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Florida Panthers forward Richard Zednik underwent surgery to close a deep gash on the right side of his neck and was in stable condition Sunday night after he was cut by a teammate’s skate during a game.

“The surgery was successful and he’s resting comfortably in the hospital,” Panthers spokesman Brian Goldman said.

Blood gushed from Zednik’s neck after he was hurt midway through the third period of Buffalo’s 5-3 victory, creating a frightening moment that delayed the game for about 15 minutes.

Zednik was behind the play and skating into the right corner of the Sabres’ zone when teammate Olli Jokinen was upended by Sabres forward Clarke MacArthur.

Jokinen fell head-first to the ice, and his right leg flew up and struck Zednik directly on the side of the neck.

Clutching his neck, Zednik raced to the Florida bench, leaving a long trail of blood. When he arrived, he nearly fell into the arms of a team trainer, who quickly applied a towel to the cut. Zednik was then helped off the ice by the trainer and teammate Jassen Cullimore.