Simmer’s Sunday: Canucks Ekman-Larsson Injured, Marchand Out

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, a.k.a. OEL, will be recuperating for four to six weeks after suffering a fractured foot in the World Championship competition in Finland. That timeline means he’ll be back in plenty of time for the start of Vancouver Canucks training camp in September.

The Swedish captain skipped the final two preliminary round games against Norway and Latvia apparently after suffering the injury, but returned and played a full 21:19 in the 4-3 overtime loss to Canada in the quarter-final.

OEL had five goals and 29 points in 79 games for the Vancouver Canucks this past season.

Canada for Gold

Since defeating Sweden, Team Canada went on to beat Czechia 6-1 in the semi-final on Saturday and will face Finland in the Gold Medal game today (Sunday). The Canadians are looking to defend the title they won last year in Riga, Lativa.

It’s the third straight Worlds that these same two teams will square off for Gold. The Finns won the title in 2019. The 2020 tourney was cancelled due to Covid.

Marchand Miffed

If Vancouver Canucks fans haven’t heard yet, I’m sure they won’t be crying into their breakfast cereal. Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand will be rehabilitating for six months following surgery to repair labral tears in both of his hips.

The timetable would put the feisty ‘shift’ disturber back in the Bruins line-up in early December.

Tough Tanev

Former Vancouver Canucks defenceman Chris Tanev played completely beat up in the postseason for the Calgary Flames with multiple injuries including a dislocated shoulder that will require surgery next week and likely keep him out of action for four to six months.

Tanev, who spent the first decade of his NHL career with the Canucks before moving on to Calgary two seasons ago, played in all 82 games this season for the first time in his career and tallied a career high 28 points.

Bring on Another Game-7

New York Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin made 37 saves and picked up two assists as his Blueshirts beat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-2 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday to force Game-7 of their second round series on Monday in Raleigh.

Enjoy the Hockey Action !!