ST. LOUIS - Detroit Red Wings forward Marian Hossa was hospitalized for observation after crashing headfirst into the boards after being checked in the first period of Tuesday night's game against the St. Louis Blues.
Hossa, who leads the team with 34 goals and 27 assists in 62 games, did not lose consciousness and had feeling in his limbs, team spokesman John Hahn said.
The game was delayed for several minutes while Hossa lay prone near the end boards in the Blues' end.
Medical personnel took extra attention because Hossa missed the previous two games with a neck injury, Hahn added. Hossa was taken off the ice while strapped to a gurney.
Hossa was knocked to the ice and slid heavily into the end boards after a hit by defenceman Roman Polak, who drew a two-minute penalty for roughing.
