Blues forward Dylan Holloway left Tuesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on a stretcher after taking a puck to the neck area in the first period. The incident occurred with 2:37 remaining in the opening frame. The Blues launched an offensive rush after hitting Holloway, and Holloway joined teammate Jordan Kyrou for a scoring opportunity.
Holloway appeared to skate off the ice in some discomfort, tilting his head to the right side before he took a seat on the bench. At 1:11 remaining in the period, a penalty halted play, prompting teammates to detect a problem and notify Blues athletic trainer Ray Barile.
Barile held Holloway’s neck to keep his head propped up, while medics inside the arena came across the ice to the Blues bench and provided further assistance. Both teams cleared their benches to kneel on the ice as medics tended to Holloway. Eventually, the medics placed Holloway on a stretcher, wheeled him back toward the Blues’ locker room, and took him to the hospital by ambulance.
“The only way I can put it to you guys (the media) is if you’re at work, you get a call that one of your family members is sick and rushed to the hospital,” said Blues Head Coach Drew Bannister. “Holly is a family member. That was tough.”
During the Blues’ 3-2 win, the team announced that Holloway was alert and stable. Afterward, Bannister provided an update, saying, “From what we’ve heard, he’s doing well. It’s a positive sign.” Several Blues players reported that general manager Doug Armstrong provided the team with an update following the second period, which alleviated their concerns.
“Those bench situations are not fun, with what I’ve been through with Jay,” said Blues captain Brayden Schenn, referring to the cardiac episode defenseman Jay Bouwmeester experienced during a game in 2020. “Thankfully, we have Ray and assistants Dustin Flynn and Brendan McClew, who stepped up.” Those situations are difficult to be a part of, but having calm, knowledgeable individuals around can make everyone feel a little bit better.
Holloway, 23, is in his first season with St. Louis after spending the first two years of his NHL career with the Edmonton Oilers, who drafted him 14th overall in 2020. Entering Tuesday, Holloway had tallied six points (four goals, two assists) in 12 games this season, averaging a career-high 15:50 minutes of time on ice per game.
The officials ended the first period with 1:11 left to play and resumed it after the first intermission. The Blues trailed the Lightning 1-0 at the time but scored three second-period goals and picked up their second straight win.
This was a tough moment for the Blues, but fortunately, it appears Holloway is in stable condition after the scary incident on the ice. The team and their fans will surely be anxious for updates on his condition in the coming days.