Getzlaf ‘feels better’ but status up in air
Written by on February 9th, 2010 in Latest News.
Ryan Getzlaf is second on the Ducks with 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists). (Harry How/Getty Images)
Ryan Getzlaf said his ankle felt better on Tuesday, but his Olympic participation remains in doubt until his MRI tests come back.
The Anaheim Ducks forward sprained his ankle on Monday against the L.A. Kings, and if it’s terrible enough he could be ruled out of Team Canada’s lineup for the Olympics.
“I feel a lot better really,” Getzlaf told the team website Tuesday. “Last night was pretty hideous at times and painful. The swelling reacted perfectly. There is not much swelling in it. I am going to get an MRI right now and we’ll see how it goes from there.”
Getzlaf was injured in the second period during the Ducks’ 4-2 win over Los Angeles, leaving the game after he got tangled up with L.A.’s Dustin Brown six minutes in. It happened minutes after he scored to place the Ducks up 2-1.
He left the Honda Center on crutches. X-rays at the arena revealed he had no broken bones, and an MRI was done on Tuesday.
“I made a small pass back and finished up tucking my ankle underneath me,” he said. “With the way the play went and the way it felt, it was certainly a scary time. Last night was tough for me.
“This morning, it looked really positive.”
The worry was that the injury is really a high ankle sprain, which could take up to a month and a half to heal, but Getzlaf is positive that he doesn’t have that dreaded injury.
“I don’t reckon it’s what they call a high ankle sprain because that from what I know that is a small higher than where mine is,” he said. “It’s a fantastic thing. I’m really positive this morning and hope for the best. We’ll see how things go from here. I’ll be in contact with the doctors all day. We’ll probably know a small bit more tomorrow.”
The Regina native leads Anaheim in scoring, with 15 goals and 42 assists for 57 points.
Teammate Corey Perry, also a member of the Canadian Olympic squad, is second on the Ducks with 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists).
If Getzlaf can’t go for the Olympics, the top candidates for the empty spot on Canada’s roster look to be Tampa’s Steven Stamkos and Philadelphia’s Jeff Carter.
Stamkos, 20, is having a fantastic sophomore season, racking up 32 goals and 29 assists for 61 points, second on the team and 13th overall in the NHL.
Carter has 23 goals and 25 assists, but what might weigh in his favour is his greater NHL and international experience.
But Jason Spezza, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis, Shane Doan, and several others will also garner serious consideration.
The Canadian men’s hockey team starts its push for gold next Tuesday against Norway.
