Blues' Holloway in alert, stable condition after taking puck to neck

ST. LOUIS (AP) — St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway left Tuesday night's contest against the Tampa Bay Lightning and departed the rink on a stretcher after being struck by a puck late in the first period.

Holloway was hit in the neck area by a puck with 2:37 remaining in the period, and proceeded to finish his shift, continuing to participate in the play before skating to the bench under his own power.

As play was stopped with 1:11 remaining for a high-sticking penalty that was later called off, teammates started calling and gesturing for assistance.

Blues trainer Ray Barile and medical staff from both teams tended to Holloway for several minutes before emergency medical technicians carted him off the bench on a stretcher.

Holloway was seen raising his arm as he was carted off. The Blues later announced that Holloway was alert and stable and was being taken to a St. Louis area hospital for further observation.

Referees Wes McCauley and Cody Beach sent the teams to their locker rooms and started the first intermission after Holloway was transported off the bench due to the nature of the injury.

The 23-year-old Calgary native has four goals and two assists over 12 games this season after signing a two-year offer sheet, featuring an average annual value of $2.29 million, with the Blues this off-season. 

Holloway spent the first three seasons of his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers after they selected him 14th overall in 2020.