Sean Avery Hospitalized With Cardiac Arrest
Filed under: New York, General NHL, Rangers
When the Rangers and their fans left Madison Square Garden last night after a 5-3 loss to the Penguins, falling behind 3-0 in their Eastern Conference Semifinal, most people probably thought that things couldn’t get a lot worse for the Blueshirts. Unfortunately, they were very wrong. According to the New York Daily News, Sean Avery was hospitalized early this morning with cardiac arrest after being found unconscious and not breathing.
Details are incredibly few and far between right now. There’s no indication who found Avery or where he was, but the Daily News is reporting that he arrived at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Manhattan around 3 AM this morning, which would be about five hours after the Rangers game with the Penguins ended.
This is obviously one of those situations that transcends even the polarization that Avery brings to hockey. As a Penguins’ fan, I spent most of last night being annoyed by his presence. This morning I can only hope that things aren’t nearly as bad as the Daily News Report makes it sound. I know the urge is going to be to speculate, especially with a player like Avery, but the truth is that we just don’t know a whole lot right now and it’s in incredibly poor taste to do that in a serious situation like this. We’ll certainly keep you updated here at the NHL ‘House as we find out more throughout the day.
UPDATE: The latest from TSN is that Avery suffered from a lacerated spleen.
Rangers vs. Penguins
** FILE ** In this April 25, 2008 file photo, New York Rangers hockey player Sean Avery skates against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period of Game 1 of an Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series in Pittsburgh. Avery has been hospitalized after lacerating his spleen during a playoff loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In a statement Wednesday April 30, 2008, the team said the noted agitator was taken to St. Vincent’s hospital after New York’s 5-3 loss Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
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New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins players fight in the first period during Game 3 of an NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey playoff series Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The fight resulted in three roughing penalties charged to each team. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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New York Rangers winger Jaromir Jagr waits for a faceoff against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a minute left in the final period during Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference semi-finals hockey series in New York, April 29, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)
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New York Rangers’ Scott Gomez reaches for a wide pass in the second period against the Pittsburgh Penguins during Game 3 of an NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey playoff series Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Penguins won 5-3, and lead the series 3-0. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin, left, of Russia, celebrates with Ryan Malone, center, and Marian Hossa after scoring a goal in the first period against the New York Rangers during Game 3 of an NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey playoff series Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York. Malkin scored two goals in the Penguins’ 5-3 win. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, Sweden, reacts after giving up a goal to the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL Eastern Conference semifinal hockey playoff series Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Penguins won 5-3, and lead the series 3-0. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
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New York Rangers Jaromir Jagr sits on the boards during a third period break in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference semi-final hockey series in New York, April 29, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES)
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New York Rangers Jaromir Jagr (C) and coach Tom Renney (back) during a third period break in play against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference semi-final hockey series in New York, April 29, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES)
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Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury makes a save on New York Rangers Brendan Shanahan during the third period in Game 3 of their NHL Eastern Conference semi-final hockey series in New York, April 29, 2008. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES)
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NEW YORK - APRIL 29: Marc-Andre Fleury #29 of the Pittsburgh Penguins defends the net against the New York Rangers during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2008 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on April 29th, 2008 in New York City. The Penguins won the game 5-3 and lead the series 3-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
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