Sounds like a bad accident on an icy road right? Wrong! Just an accidental collision at MSG yesterday between Mike Knuble and Brendan Shanahan. The best way to describe this was a case where they really didn’t see each other coming. That is a rarity for a big hockey hit. Usually one player has their head down and another player takes advantage of it. In this case, both had their head down trying to make a play….and BAM! Instant pileup!
Then like the cops…the trainers arrive…..Shanahan carried out on a stretcher and Knuble helped off the ice….I almost waited for an accident report to be filled out by the cops…I mean trainers. Then the insurance claims would be almost inevitable….the teams need to know their investment is okay. After all, players are insured…well Lindros was anyway for perspective. Now the serious part….Shanahan is day to day and appears to be just fine….nothing major. Knuble, who didn’t look like he took the worst of it, really did. He has facial fractures and a broken orbital bone, which will likely mean the end of his season.
Now no one will say it in the Flyers organization, but Knuble was one of their biggest trading chips. I am honestly not sure they would have traded him but they might have if the price was right and it might have been….A 30 goal scorer for that cheap is hard to find….not to mention someone who plays the game hard like Knuble does. I am glad he didn’t wear a visor in some respects because that injury could have been worse….it was a very vicious collision. Shanahan should be back by Tuesday for another battle with the New Jersey Devils. Hopefully both players will be just fine and have no lingering effects…that is all you can ask for at this point.
On to a few quick hits…….
Expected Peter Forsberg to have a great debut in Nashville? Surprise….he had 0 pts in a 4-1 loss to Minnesota. I will say this…Backstrom is a great goalie in the making…some of the saves he makes are outstanding and his puck handling is pretty accomplished for a player that young.
Martin Brodeur got his 11th shutout of the season last night in a 2-0 win over the Islanders….the modern day record is 15 by Tony Esposito of the Blackhawks in 1969-1970. The last time anyone got real close was Hasek who had 13. Some pretty amazing stuff.
With a little over a week to go to the deadline….anyone notice goal scoring has spiked up a bit?? Take a look at some of the games…and all of a sudden the ice has opened up or the goalies have gotten a bit tired….one or the other. Just a weird coincidence or maybe an emerging trend as the season winds into the playoff chase.
