Danault hospitalized after taking Chara slap shot to head

A scary scene developed late in the second period of Saturday's game between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens.

Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara fired a slap shot that struck Canadiens center Phillip Danault in the side of the head.

Danault dropped to the ice and was eventually stretchered off after a lengthy examination and deliberation by team doctors. The incident occurred with 1:37 left in the frame. Players were sent off for an early intermission.

Chara, it should be noted, waited by Danault's side as he was being tended to and offered a quiet word as he was leaving the ice.

Jim Hughson of "Hockey Night in Canada" reported Chara's shot was measured at 123 kilometers per hour - or 76.4 mph.

The Canadiens later announced Danault suffered a head injury and was taken to a hospital for further examination. Encouragingly, he was awake and moving, but will spend the night there and be further evaluated Sunday.