Gonchar Injured, To Be Evaluated Sunday
Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins
Sep 21, 01:16 AM | Hype this story!
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting that Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar suffered what appears to be a an injury to his left arm or shoulder early in Saturday’s 5-4 shootout loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning
The injury likely took place during a first period hit by Lightning defenseman David Koci, who later fought Eric Godard.
“It was tough to see because it came about 10 seconds after (Gonchar) moved the puck,” Brooks Orpik said. “It was late. I don’t know what else to say about it. But it was just late, I thought.”
Koci’s take:
“I came with speed. My hands were down. I hit him exactly when he passed the puck. I think it was a clean hit. I hope I didn’t hurt him. I didn’t mean to hurt him. I’m just trying to make a spot on this team, try to play hard. I’m sorry for what happened. I feel bad. I just want to play hard. I didn’t mean to do something dirty.”
There is no word yet on Gonchar’s condition, though he played just 3:47 in the first preseason game.
He will be evaluated Sunday.
The injury comes at a bad time for the Penguins, who already are without offensive defenseman Ryan Whitney (foot) for several months and Rob Scuderi (ribs) for a short period of time.
Comments
Bobby
Sep 21, 05:45 AM
just wondering if the NHL should sit players like the NFL does?? what do you guys think…
btw, Gonch is the keystone to this season
Alex Kirshner
Sep 21, 08:36 AM
This is a reason I don’t like preseason hockey. It’s a chance for nobodies like David Koci to take runs at stars like Sergei Gonchar. If he misses any regular season time, I’ll be majorly ticked off.
Ashley Gallant
Sep 21, 10:09 AM
Bobby – I’m assuming you mean that players who have already made the team (especially star players) should sit out most pre-season games, right?
I understand the logic behind that argument, but then I think of the tickets I have to a NYI/BOS pre-season game this week. I’ll be majorly ticked if the so-called star players aren’t on the ice.
Eric Politowski
Sep 21, 11:26 AM
Koci was just doing his job. That’s just what the team needs from him.
Matt Bodenschatz
Sep 21, 11:47 AM
Bobby, I guess there are two sides to it. Like Ashley said, if fans are expected to pay full price for their tickets to these games, they should, at the very least, see a few proven NHL players and/or stars. But, then you see stuff like this and you think, wow, if only he had been held out of the game.
I’m of the belief that preseason games are needed to get a rhythm with new teammates and to get the game legs back. Game situations can’t be replicated in practice, and if they were held out of the preaseason, the first few games of the season would be a wash.
Alex, from everything I heard, the hit was clean — maybe a bit late, but clean. As Eric said, Koci was just doing his job.
Eric Politowski
Sep 21, 12:16 PM
Matt, if you would like to see the hit that caused the fight here it is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY19eYmmL9I
KG
Sep 21, 11:05 PM
Thems the breaks as they say…Hopefully Gonch is back soon…No Gonchar and Whitney for a long period of time means more Sydor and we don’t want that (kidding)...
Losing Gonchar long term is killer to this team…
Dabich
Sep 22, 06:05 AM
Any update?
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