Jackets-Stars called off when Peverley falls ill

The game between Dallas and the Columbus Blue Jackets was postponed by the NHL on Monday night after Stars forward Rich Peverley collapsed on the bench during the first period.

Play was halted 6:23 in as Peverley was quickly carried from the bench. A public address announcement was made several minutes later that the 31-year-old Peverley was conscious and taken to a hospital.

''We treated (Peverley) for a cardiac event successfully,'' Dr. Gil Salazar said. ''As soon as we treated him, he regained consciousness. He was able to tell me where he was.''

There was no immediate announcement of when the game would be made up. Columbus was leading 1-0.

''Dallas player Rich Peverley is doing well and is in stable condition,'' the NHL said in a statement. ''He has been transported to the hospital. As a result of the emotional state of the players on both teams caused by the medical emergency, the game is being postponed. We apologize for any inconvenience and we thank the fans.''

The Stars conveyed the message to the Blue Jackets that they weren't up for finishing the game on Monday.

''They're shaken and they want to reschedule. We understand that,'' John Davidson, the Blue Jackets president of hockey operations, told Fox Sports Ohio. ''They were shaken to the core.''

Peverley missed the preseason and the season opener because of a procedure to correct an irregular heartbeat, a condition diagnosed during a training camp physical. He made his Stars debut on Oct. 5 against Washington.

He sat out last week's game at Columbus because of an irregular heartbeat. Peverley had felt strange after last Monday's game and couldn't fly.

Peverley then played in Dallas' next two games before Monday.

Both teams skated off the ice. The Stars didn't go directly through the tunnel next to their bench, but through a door at the south end of the rink.

The game had been stopped after players from both teams attracted the officials' attention by banging their sticks on the boards and the ice.

''When he dropped, it was red alert,'' Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. ''Don't worry about the game. It was about getting the doctors.

''As soon as he came off the ice, I started screaming into the crowd for a doctor. The players don't want to play, and I don't want to coach the team right now.''

Columbus was leading 1-0 in the game that was postponed and will be replayed at a date to be determined by the NHL.

In 62 games this season before Monday, Peverley had seven goals and 23 assists.

He was acquired last July from Boston with forward Tyler Seguin and defenseman Ryan Button for forwards Loui Eriksson, Reilly Smith and Matt Fraser, and defenseman Joe Morrow.