NHL: Playoffs take toll on battered Bruin Bergeron

Patrice Bergeron #37 of the Boston Bruins skates on the ice following their 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in Game Six of the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Final at TD Garden on June 24, 2013 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Getty Images)

Boston forward Patrice Bergeron was still in hospital Wednesday night with a punctured lung, two days after his Bruins lost in the NHL championship game to the Chicago Blackhawks.

The 27-year-old Canadian was admitted to a Boston hospital with a host of injuries shortly after his team’s shocking 3-2 loss to Chicago in Monday’s game seven final of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Bergeron, of L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec, is also receiving treatment for a broken rib, torn cartilage and a separated shoulder he sustained in game six.

Doctors said it was not possible for Bergeron to play with a punctured lung and said it could have resulted because of the broken rib or a never-blocking injection he received to deaden the pain so he could continue to play.

Bergeron was taken to hospital after game five in Chicago because of the torn cartilage but he eventually checked himself out and played the final two games of the series.

National Hockey League players are renowned for playing in the Stanley Cup playoffs despite suffering severe injuries.

In 1998, Detroit Red Wings forward Brent Gilchrist’s groin injury was so bad he had the team trainer inject him with a pain killer in the groin before each game to allow him to skate.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Bobby Baun scored a game-winning goal in overtime on a broken ankle in the 1964 Stanley Cup finals.

Baun busted his ankle in regulation in game six and after seeking medical treatment he returned to the contest in overtime to notch the winner before being helped off the ice by his teammates.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Dirk Graham played in the 1990 playoffs despite suffering a cracked left kneecap which required post-season surgery.