QMJHL game stopped in first period after Oceanic’ Beck takes hit to head

BAIE-COMEAU, Que. – A game between the Baie-Comeau Drakkar and Rimouski was postponed Saturday when Oceanic player Samuel Beck was taken to hospital after a blindside hit to the head in the first period.

Beck was taken from the arena on a stretcher and the players went to their respective dressing rooms. Quebec Major Junior Hockey League commissioner Gilles Courteau opted to stop the game after discussing the incident with director of player safety Raymond Bolduc, who was at the game.

A league statement said the decision was made “in the best interest of Samuel Beck’s health, the players present, the staff of both teams as well as the officials. The Drakkar and Oceanic certified athletic therapists and doctor present acted quickly in this situation. Our thoughts are with Samuel and his family at this time.”

The Oceanic wrote on their Twitter account that Beck was “doing well.”

Coach Serge Beausoleil said Beck will return to the team on Sunday.

Rimouski was on a power play when Beck reached for the puck near the blue line and was hit by Baie-Comeau’s Simon Desbiens. Beck got up and went to the team bench, where he received treatment before being taken to hospital.

Play resumed, but after a few minutes, the Oceanic trainer asked for help from his Drakkar counterpart because Beck had a problem while being treated and the game was stopped.

A league spokesman said a decision on when a makeup game will take place will come at the beginning of next week.

It was a second game in as many nights between the teams.