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NHL: Panthers
FROM PANTHERS MEDIA RELEASES

Richard Zednik

Zednik returns home after throat accidentally slashed by skate
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UPDATE: 12NOON EASTERN, SATURDAY, FEB 16. Richard Zednik was released from Buffalo General Hospital today and released this statement:

"I want to thank everyone for their tremendous support this week," Zednik said. "All of the fans, my teammates, the Panthers and Sabres organizations and the people of Buffalo have been great.

"I especially want to thank the nursing and medical staff at Buffalo General Hospital -- they have been by my side every step of the way."

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1AM EASTERN, MONDAY, FEB. 11: Zednik is resting at a Buffalo hospital after successful surgery.

FEBRUARY 10, 2008 -- BUFFALO -- At HSBC Arena In Buffalo tonight, Florida Panthers' forward Richard Zednik suffered a horrifying injury reminiscent of Sabre goaltender Clint Malarchuk's in March of 1989.

Zednik's throat was accidentally slashed by teammate Olli Jokinen's skate late in the third period during the Panthers' 5-3 loss to the Sabres. Zednik skated off the ice with help from teammates and left a trail of blood in the ice which required a resurfacing by the Zambonis during the period.

After a 15 minute delay during which the crowd and both clubs stood in stunned silence, Zednik was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.

In March of 1989, Sabre goaltender Malarchuk's throat was slashed by the skate of Blues forward Steve Tuttle after a collision with Sabre defender Uwe Krupp. Malarchuk was fortunate to be defending the net next to the exit door. Doctors speculated at the time that had he been defending the opposite net, he would not have survived the skate to the other end of the ice.