Sens' Sabourin taken off ice on stretcher

Ottawa forward Scott Sabourin has been transported to a hospital for evaluation after being taken from the ice on a stretcher with his head immobilized following a collision with Boston forward David Backes early in the first period of Saturday night's game between the Senators and Bruins.

The Senators sent an update on their Twitter feed that Sabourin was conscious and speaking with the attending doctors while leaving the arena.

He gave the crowd a brief "thumbs up" as he was leaving the ice.

Sabourin had skated up to make a hit on Backes when the players' helmets collided. Sabourin immediately feel to the ice, appearing to be unconscious, and he lay motionless for a brief period.

WATCH | Sabourin goes down after crash with Bruins' Backes:

Hip Check: Scary moment for Senators' Scott Sabourin

5 years ago

Duration 1:24

After a scary collision with Boston Bruins' David Backes, Scott Sabourin had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher. According to the Senators, he was speaking and moving his extremities at the hospital.

Medical staff from both teams rushed to Sabourin, and a Bruins' trainer quickly signalled for a stretcher. There was a large blood spot on the ice under Sabourin's face.

TV cameras showed Backes visibly upset, looking as if he was fighting back tears, as he watched medical personnel attend to Sabourin. An Ottawa player could be seen consoling Backes, putting his glove on his shoulder. Most of the players on both teams took knees in front their benches and skated over to Sabourin when he was finally put on the stretcher after a delay that lasted about 10 minutes.

Fans gave Sabourin a loud ovation when he was taken from the ice. Backes went to the dressing room after Sabourin was wheeled off.

The Bruins announced in the second that Backes had an upper-body injury and would not return.