Quote:
Injuries taking a major toll
(Sports) Monday, 12 November 2007, 22:37 PST
JIM SWANSON, Citizen Sports Editor
They were dressed in suits, occupying the top row of a nearly-empty section.
The Prince George Cougars are unlikely to have any of their walking or hobbling wounded back anytime soon, a challenge that won’t help the club out of its four-game losing streak.
Defenceman Jesse Dudas, who is such a key component of the power play, missed his second-straight game with a charleyhorse, and did not make the trip to Spokane. In fact, Dudas was sent to Edmonton where his draft team, the Columbus Blue Jackets, is getting him fitted for a special leg pad that can hopefully get the chronic charleyhorse issue in the past.
“Jesse won’t play until after this trip,” said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson.
“It’s the same leg as he’s had trouble with in the past, but the doctor doesn’t think this one is as bad as in the past. We want it to heal and have more protection for it.”
Evan Fuller (groin), Jan Kupec (concussion) and Dale Hunt (broken hand) are also unlikely to be back soon. Fuller has missed eight games, Hunt has been gone for the last 14, and Kupec has lost seven games to injury this season. Total all the medical problems on the team this season, and the Cougars have lost 42 man-games.
“Fuller won’t be back until at least after this trip,” said Thompson. “Hunt is questionable for the week after we get back. His cast will be on until Nov. 22. Kupec is on the trip and might be able to play the last two games, depending on how his testing goes.”
The Cougars were one player under the maximum 18 skaters for Saturday’s 6-1 home-ice loss to Kelowna. Rookie defenceman Trevor Bauer was away for a family wedding, but will be available on the road trip.
I didn't realize there were this many walking wounded. It will definitely be a factor on their road trip.