Wild defenseman Ballard leaves game vs. Islanders with injury
Minnesota Wild defenseman Keith Ballard has been hospitalized with an injury from a hit into the boards by New York Islanders left wing Matt Martin.
The Wild announced Ballard was conscious and taken to Regions Hospital for further evaluation and observation on Tuesday night.
Ballard passed the puck at mid-ice midway through the second period and tried to turn away as Martin charged toward him with a straight-ahead angle and his forearm raised for contact. Ballard was pinned awkwardly against the glass partition separating the benches above the wall, and then Ballard's head bounced hard on the ice as he fell.
Ballard was writhing back and forth as medics hustled out a stretcher, but he was able to get up after a few minutes and walk slowly to the locker room with assistance.
