By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Zach Redmond‘s unspecified lower body injury will keep him off the ice for at least the short-term, with coach Chris Taylor describing his playing status as “week to week.”
Redmond will not play in this weekend’s two games (home against Utica on Friday, at Syracuse on Saturday), will miss the AHL All-Star Classic in Springfield on Sunday and Monday, and it would seem he is doubtful to play following the break at Binghamton on Feb. 1 and Hartford on Feb. 2.
The veteran defenseman was injured in the final minute of Wednesday’s 7-5 victory over Binghamton. He played the puck behind the net, then tumbled into the end boards after his skate appeared to get stuck in the ice. He was not hit by a Binghamton player until he had already crashed into the boards.
Taylor said there was no broken bone. Based on the way he fell, and the difficult he had leaving the ice, a high ankle sprain would seemingly be one of the possible injuries.
“Honestly, I don’t think it’s major,” Taylor said.
Redmond established an Amerks franchise single-season record for goals by a defenseman when he scored his 19th (in 41 games) in the second period on Wednesday.
“We have depth here and it creates opportunity for someone else,” Taylor said. “These are the times we found out about our depth.”
Goalie Scott Wedgewood also won’t play this weekend and he, too, is listed as “week to week.” He allowed five goals on 30 shots on Wednesday.
Taylor said the team’s No. 1 goalie had been bothered by a undisclosed ailment before the game but thought he would be able to play with it.
He said with the All-Star break coming, this was a good time to give him time off. Jonas Johansson was recalled from ECHL Cincinnati on Thursday morning.
With Redmond on the injured list, the AHL will presumably name a replacement from the Amerks, since the league always wants every team represented at the annual showcase. Lawrence Pilut was the other Amerks selection but he remains on recall to the Buffalo Sabres.
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