Thrashers Pavelec Collapses Early In First Period Of Season Opener

UPDATE: Pavelec was taken to the hospital and has regained consciousness. He will be held overnight for observations. There is still no information as to what exactly caused Pavelec's blackout during the game.

The Thrashers managed to rally against the Capitals and put together an impressive 4-2 win over the defending President's Trophy winners in their season opener.

ORIGINAL: Some scary things can happen out of the clear blue in sports, and that was the case very early on during the Atlanta Thrashers' season and home opener against the Washington Capitals Friday. At 2:25 into the first period, the play was whistled down in the Thrashers offensive zone. Meanwhile, goaltender Ondrej Pavelec collapsed in his goal crease on the other end of the ice. There were no players around him and all available medical personnel was called in to help stretcher him off the ice.

Chris Mason, who was signed as an unrestricted free agent over the summer for the next two years, filled in for the Thrashers and surrendered a goal less than one minute later. Pavelec did not face any shots during his playing time.