Aaron Rome Suspended Four Games For Hit On Nathan Horton

Vancouver Canucks forward Alexandre Burrows avoided suspension after biting Boston Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron in Game 1 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals, but his teammate, Aaron Rome, was not as lucky.

Rome has been suspended four games - the remainder of the series - after his hit on Bruins forward Nathan Horton in the opening minutes of Boston's 8-1 victory in Game 3 Monday. As a result of the hit, Horton has a severe concussion and will miss the remainder of the Stanley Cup Finals.

As the Bruins entered the offensive zone early in the first period, the Canucks defenseman landed a late, shoulder-to-head hit on Horton, who fell hard on his head as he hit the ice. Horton laid motionless on the ice for several minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital. Horton was released from the hospital Tuesday.

NHL Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Mike Murphy said in a statement that Rome clearly overstepped his bounds in hitting Horton:

"Two factors were considered in reaching this decision. The hit by Rome was clearly beyond what is acceptable in terms of how late it was delivered after Horton had released the puck and it caused a significant injury."

If the Stanley Cup Finals ends in less than four games, Rome's suspension will carry over to the start of the 2011-12 season. TSN's Bob McKenzie reported that Rome has reached out to Horton, but now both of them will miss the remainder of the series, which continues Wednesday in Boston.

The Stanley Cup Finals are ongoing, as the Vancouver Canucks battle the Boston Bruins. Stick with this StoryStream for full coverage of Game 3. For coverage on the Finals, stick with our Stanley Cup Finals hub, our Canucks blog, Nucks Misconduct, and our Bruins blog, Stanley Cup of Chowder.

Nathan Horton Will Miss Rest Of Stanley Cup Finals, Bruins Confirmed

Nathan Horton, who left Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals on a stretcher after a blindside hit from Vancouver Canucks' defenseman Aaron Rome, will miss the remainder of the Cup Finals after being diagnosed with a 'severe concussion,' the Boston Bruins confirmed on Tuesday morning.

The news was originally reported by 98.5 The Sports Hub's Tony Massarotti. Horton was motionless on the ice for several minutes after the hit before being carried off the ice.

Rome was assessed a five-minute major penalty for interference and also received a game misconduct. Boston was unable to convert on the resulting extended power play, but did go on to win the game 8-1 in honor of Horton.

Horton is the Bruins' second-leading scorer this postseason with eight goals and nine assists (18 points). In the regular season, Horton scored 26 goals and had 27 assists for 53 points in 80 games for Boston.

The Stanley Cup Finals are ongoing, as the Vancouver Canucks battle the Boston Bruins. Stick with this StoryStream for full coverage of Game 3. For coverage on the Finals, stick with our Stanley Cup Finals hub, our Canucks blog, Nucks Misconduct, and our Bruins blog, Stanley Cup of Chowder.

Nathan Horton Reportedly Has 'Severe Concussion,' Will Miss Remainder Of Stanley Cup Finals

After suffering a crushing hit during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals, the Boston Bruins' Nathan Horton was put on a stretcher and transported to Massachusetts General Hospital. The initial report, fortunately, said Horton was moving all of his extremities. Unfortunately, the morning after, the news isn't so good. 

The Boston Globe's Tony Massarotti reported early Tuesday morning on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston that Horton suffered a "severe concussion" and will miss the remainder of the Stanley Cup Finals. 

The Vancouver Canucks' Aaron Rome, the player who delivered the hit, is scheduled to meet with the NHL for a disciplinary hearing at 11 a.m. ET. 

Following the Game 3 win, the Bruins gave the "Game Jacket" to Horton. 

The Stanley Cup Finals are ongoing, as the Vancouver Canucks battle the Boston Bruins. Stick with this StoryStream for full coverage of Game 3. For coverage on the Finals, stick with our Stanley Cup Finals hub, our Canucks blog, Nucks Misconduct, and our Bruins blog, Stanley Cup of Chowder.

Nathan Horton Leaves Game 3 After Vicious Hit From Aaron Rome

Nathan Horton was taken off the ice on a stretcher following a vicious blind-side hit from Vancouver Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome nearly five minutes through the first period in Game 3 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.

Horton, who was motionless on the ice for several minutes, was eventually carried off the ice and transferred to Mass. General Hospital. He was reportedly moving all of his extremities on the way to the hospital.

Rome received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for the hit, and headed to the Canucks dressing room immediately following the hit. Boston was unable to convert on the power play.

Horton is the Bruins' second-leading scorer this postseason with eight goals and nine assists (18 points). In the regular season, Horton scored 26 goals and had 27 assists for 53 points in 80 games for Boston.

Prior to the season, Horton was acquired along with Gregory Campbell in a trade with the Florida Panthers. The Bruins sent defenseman Dennis Wideman and two draft picks.