St. Louis defenseman Jay Bouwmeester was hospitalized and undergoing tests after suffering a cardiac episode and collapsing on the bench during the first period of the Blues' game Tuesday night against the Ducks in Anaheim, Calif. The veteran, 36, was alert and talking with teammates Wednesday, the AP reports. "He was in good spirits with us, typical Jay, so I think it certainly made us all feel a lot better knowing that we had the opportunity to talk to him," defenseman Alex Pietrangelo said. "Typical Jay is a very good Jay." Blues general manager Doug Armstrong praised the work of the medical staffs at the arena, per the AP. "Thankfully, with the quick response of our medical trainers, Anaheim medical trainers, and their team physicians, they were able to stabilize Jay," he said.
Teammates Vince Dunn and Alex Pietrangelo immediately called for help after Bouwmeester slumped over with 7:50 left in the first period. After a couple of minutes, Bouwmeester was taken out on a stretcher through a tunnel next to the Blues bench and transported to an Orange County hospital. Ducks and Blues players gathered to see what was wrong before Bouwmeester was taken away. The teams then went to their dressing rooms, and the game was called off a few minutes later tied at 1. Players from both teams met for hugs and well-wishes after changing out of their gear. The game will be made up at a later date. Bouwmeester was skating in his 57th game this season and the 1,241st of his NHL career. He skated 1:20 in his last shift before collapsing.
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