In a little more than 40 minutes the Ducks and the Devils hit the ice for Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Finals, and I have little to no idea who's going to win. Certainly, after Paul Kariya rose from the dead on Saturday night, you have to figure that the Ducks don't believe they can be stopped.
Whether the Ducks win or lose tonight, Kariya has carved himself a place in lore of the Cup -- being one of the few men who withstood a strike from Scott Stevens, shook it off, and came back to exact his revenge. But despite all the accolades Kariya has earned, I have to wonder out loud whether or not the decision to return to the ice on Saturday night was a good one.
There can be no doubt that Kariya suffered another concussion on Saturday night. According to doctors, concussions are rated under three grades as follows:
GRADE I Confusion without Amnesia. No loss of Consciousness. REMOVE FROM EVENT PERFORM BENCH EVALUATIONGRADE II
Confusion with Amnesia.
No loss of Consciousness.
REMOVE FROM EVENT
PERFORM BENCH EVALUATION...GRADE III
Loss of Consciousness.
REMOVE FROM EVENT
TRANSPORT TO APPROPRIATE MEDICAL FACILITY IMMEDIATELY.........
If a player receives head trauma, a coach should perform a bench evaluation to determine Concussion. If symptoms are prevalent, seek medical attention immediately. It is not macho to send or allow that player back into the game without a doctors permission. It is just plain stupid and dangerous. Head injuries (Concussion) can be fatal if not treated properly....
As we all know, Kariya lost conciousness the moment Stevens made contact. The proper next step for the Ducks medical staff was to transport Kariya to a hospital immediately -- an option he most likely refused.
Certainly, one can praise Kariya to high heavens for his bravery. But make no mistake, Kariya took his life into his own hands when he returned to the ice on Saturday night, and according to what I've read, I can't see how any responsible physician could have let him return.
POSTSCRIPT: Back after tonight's game with the last audio recap of the season.
