Blues forward Dylan Holloway transported to local hospital after taking puck to neck

St. Louis Blues forward Dylan Holloway was hit by a puck in the neck area and had to be taken off the bench on a stretcher late in the first period of a game against the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night.

Holloway finished his shift after being hit but received medical attention back on the bench. His neck was stabilized before he was taken to the locker room on a stretcher. He was then transported to a local-area hospital for further evaluation.

The Blues said he was "alert and in stable condition."

With 1:11 left in the first period, the game was stopped for an early intermission. The plan was for it to resume with the final 1:11 of the first period, followed immediately by the second period.

He left the hospital around 11 p.m. local time Tuesday and met with reporters on Wednesday. He said he felt strange after getting hit but continued a 2-on-1 break. His recollection after that was vague.

"It got really blurry," he said. "I don't really remember coming to the bench. Next thing I know I was next to the ambulance on a stretcher."

Holloway, 23, is in his first season with the Blues after spending his first two NHL campaigns with the Edmonton Oilers. He and defenseman Philip Broberg signed offer sheets with the Blues. Holloway had four goals and two assists in his first 12 games of the season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blues' Dylan Holloway hit in neck by puck, taken to local hospital