Dallas Stars forward Tanner Kero was taken off the ice on a stretcher Saturday night after taking a forceful check from Chicago Blackhawks winger Brett Connolly.

Officials handed Connolly a major penalty for interference and a game misconduct after he plowed into Kero near the boards early in the first period. Kero laid on the ice while the Stars' medical staff attended to him, and they eventually took him off.

Dallas later said Kero was conscious, alert, and responsive. He'll be hospitalized as a precaution and for further evaluation.

The 29-year-old is in his second season with the Stars after playing parts of three campaigns with the Blackhawks.

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