Kaleta hospitalized with neck injury (Update: No hearing for Brown)

As we previously reported, Buffalo Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta left Tuesday’s game after being boarded by Toronto’s Mike Brown late in the first period.

If you missed the hit, you can watch it below (FF to :55):

Following that incident, Kaleta was taken to the hospital with a neck injury, according to NHL.com. He has been sidelined with head and neck injuries in the past.

“He was x-rayed here and they took a precaution,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “They took him for some further tests. I have no update.”

Interestingly, Ruff chose to defend Brown’s hit after the game.

“I thought he was sideways,” Ruff said. “Some of the obligation is on the player [being hit]. He wasn’t defenseless. It’s a tough area. It wasn’t a blatant run at a guy from behind.”

Sabres defenseman Mike Weber certainly took issue with the hit and fought Brown in the defense of his fallen teammate.

Update: According to Puck Daddy’s Greg Wyshynski, Brown won’t face a disciplinary hearing for the hit.