Medical Situation Disrupts Hershey Bears Playoff Game

Anton Blidh (right) suffered a medical emergency during the game but returned after treatment photo via The Hershey Bears

HERSHEY, Pa. — Shortly after 7:30 p.m. on May 11, Game 1 of the Atlantic Division Finals between the Hershey Bears and Hartford Wolfpack became an afterthought. Hartford’s Anton Blidh appeared on the verge of collapse while skating to the bench late in the first period.

Blidh struggled to the bench as players and officials started frantically motioning to emergency medical personnel at the zamboni entrance. A member of the Bears training staff also left Hershey’s bench to assist.

As the stretcher was wheeled onto the ice, Blidh was helped down the tunnel. The often raucous GIANT Center crowd suddenly fell dead silent.

“It was scary. It was a scary moment for everybody,” Hershey Bears head coach Todd Nelson said. Nelson added that he’s been through something like this before. While playing in Germany one of his teammates died and while coaching in Grand Rapids, a player of his had a seizure.

The Bears went into the locker room with everyone wondering what was going on. Henrik Borgstrom said the team quickly found out that the game would continue and that Blidh was ok, with the final 2:39 of the first period left to play.

“When the matter is that important, I don’t think the game is the number one thing,” Borgstrom added.

Not only did the game continue, but Blidh returned to the ice with the rest of his teammates. Blidh’s return to the playing surface received cheers from the Chocolate-and-White clouted fans near the visiting bench. At the next stoppage of play, Blidh was shown on the videoboard and received an ovation. Blidh acknowledged the support with a wave to the crowd.

The Wolfpack said Blidh received treatment for a non-life threatening upper body injury as a precaution.

“Kudos to the medical staff that got to him and made sure everything was fine,” Nelson said. “I’m glad things worked out. It’s a scary moment for everyone in the building.”

During the second intermission, Blidh’s lap on the ice following first intermission was shown as a highlight.

While Blidh turned, Connor McMichael said he “hopes to never see something like that again.”