Canucks & Beyond
Next entry: Unconventional Forsberg Diagnosis
Previous entry: Dumb and Dumber
Bieksa and Frankenstein Will Live
by Alanah McGinley on 11/04/07 at 10:40 PM ET
Comments (5)
Kevin Bieksa and Sami Salo both had a bad week. From Iain MacIntyre at the Vancouver Sun, “The Canucks Dodge a Bullet.” First:
The lower leg injury to defenceman Kevin Bieksa is more serious than originally believed, but Vancouver Canucks general manager Dave Nonis emphasized Sunday that the player’s Achilles tendon did not require repair on Friday.
Bieksa’s calf muscle was lacerated Thursday when he was stepped on by Vern Fiddler. A report Sunday suggested the 36-year-old’s Achilles tendon was also cut, which could be a season-ending injury and permanently impair, at least slightly, the range of motion in Bieksa’s foot. But Nonis said the additional damage was to a smaller muscle, below the calf, which is attached to the Achilles, and that the tendon itself was intact.
Well, Beesak (Beeksa? Beieska…? Whatever CBC commentators are calling him these days…) probably did dodge the worst bullet fired—the potential damage to that tendon must have been frightening.
On the other hand, since when do we put the words “calf muscle” and “lacerated” in the same sentence and call that a good day? It ain’t; it’s horrific.
But yes, it could be worse. For instance, Bieksa is probably relieved to know that he’s not, in fact, 36 years old: he’s still 26.*
And then there’s Frankenstein’s monster, Sami Salo, this year taking steps to ensure that all of his annual allotted infirmary time is jammed early into the season:
Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Saturday that defenceman Sami Salo, whose nose was severely broken in the same game, should be able to play again in 4-6 weeks. Salo’s surgery Friday included a metal plate being inserted into the player’s face.
On the bright side, for every upcoming year of Salo’s contract, Canucks fans will forever be able to breathe easier knowing Salo has that plate in his head. It may well reduce his annual injury time significantly.
In fact, one day I fully expect Salo to be made entirely out of sheet metal.
__________________________
In all seriousness, those injuries were awful, to witness much less experience. I’m sure all Canucks’ fans are relieved at a reasonably positive prognosis.
*Update 9:15pm PT: The original Vancouver Sun story quoted above has been changed since I published quotes from it. It now has a new headline, plus Bieksa’s age was corrected.
Filed in: vancouver canucks | Canucks and Beyond | Permalink
Tags: kevin+bieksa, sami+salo, vancouver+canucks,
Comments
Ugh, Salo must have had some serious damage done to his sinuses. Players who have broken noses re-set have no idea how much it would hurt to have the little teeny-tiny bones a little further up the nose cracked and re-set. Your sinuses go all the way “in” to what I can best describe as parallel to “between your ears,” no crap. Getting that worked on, and a plate inserted, no less? That usually indicates some sort of orbital bone damage.
Posted by George Malik from South Lyon, MI on 11/05/07 at 01:57 AM ET
Ryan— You’ve definitely got a thing for taking down Calgary this week, huh?! Not that I disagree - especially nice to have that happen now that Keenan is part of their world. 
George— There was the suggestion that there was some orbital bone damage, and judging from what we could see watching the game, it sure looked like there might be. In fact, my first thought was that the primary damage was to his eye. A dangerous injury.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 11/05/07 at 12:08 PM ET
I’ve got this game on the hard drive…and I watched the first period and heard the Luongo cat calls and Bronx cheers. After hearing about the Bieksa and Salo injuries, I just can’t bring myself to watch the remainder of the game. Shades of Clint Malarchuk…ewww.
Posted by GZ Expat from Chiner on 11/06/07 at 06:27 AM ET
ewwwww… indeed.
Not to mention, for so many reasons, that’s just not a game to force yourself to endure through. I know that I wish I could forget it.
Posted by Alanah McGinley from British Columbia on 11/06/07 at 01:18 PM ET
Add a Comment
Please limit embedded image or media size to 575 pixels wide.
Add your own avatar by joining Kukla's Korner, or logging in and uploading one in your member control panel.
Captchas bug you? Join KK or log in and you won't have to bother.
Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.
Most Recent Blog Posts
The Odds on Vancouver Goaltending
Canucks Tribute Video to Rick Rypien
About Canucks & Beyond
Alanah McGinley has been blogging hockey since 2003 (with a notable gap in time through 2010, kicking it with new baby Lucy while living knee-deep in chaos while reading “parenting for complete idiots” during every spare minute) sharing opinions, rants and not-so-deep thoughts with anyone who will listen.
In addition to writing Canucks & Beyond and helping manage Kukla’s Korner, Alanah was one of the founders and co-hosts of The Crazy Canucks Podcast. She has contributed pieces to FoxSports.com and the New York Times Slapshot blog, as well as other stray destinations in cyberspace.
So that’s me. Who the hell are you?
Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Alanah’s Twitter: [@alanah1]
When learning from experts it’s best to learn personally from them, or from their blog. We can provide that with poker lessons blog, your home to learn poker personally.
Do you get shocked from the luck in the game of poker? Stop getting shocked and start being a Poker Shoker
Two gross to watch injuries in one game…. both fluky ones….. I have often wondered why there isn’t something more substantial on the back of calfs…. wonder if this will spur something…
Flamers are going down Thursday! Burn baby burn!
Posted by Ryan from BC on 11/04/07 at 11:44 PM ET