Massabesic-Old Orchard Beach hockey player Steven Drown was ambulanced to the hospital Saturday as a precaution after he collided with another player in the final seconds of the Seastangs' 5-0 loss to Westbrook at USM Ice Arena in Gorham.

Drown was on the ice for more than 45 minutes before he was taken by ambulance to Maine Medical Center, and the start of the St. Dominic-Scarborough hockey game, originally scheduled for 5:15 p.m. was delayed until 6 p.m.

Massabesic-OOB Coach Dave Pasquarello explained Drown was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure, as he had felt pain in his neck following the collision. The decision, Pasquarello explained, is protocol set by the athletic training staff whenever an athlete may have suffered a neck injury.

Drown was moving his hands and feet and talking with coaches and trainers before being taken off the ice in a stretcher. He was scheduled to undergo X-rays Saturday night.

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Jacob Rutt faced his former team in Scarborough's season opener against St. Dominic. Rutt played for the Saints last year as a freshman.

"It was a little different playing against them," said Rutt, a defenseman who had an assist in the Red Storm's 4-2 win at USM Ice Arena. "But it's hockey. There are mixed feelings. I'm friends with the whole team."

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A moment of silence preceded the Scarborough-St. Dominic game, in honor of former St. Dominic hockey coach Bob Boucher. Boucher died in April, less than two years after resigning from his post as St. Dominic's coach and athletic director.

Boucher coached the St. Dominic hockey team for 25 years, leading the Saints to five state titles.

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