Vees suffer bad news on injury front ahead of facing rival Warriors tonight
Cruikshank, O’Connell sidelined long-term with broken ankle, arm
With a pivotal two-game weekend looming, the Penticton Vees have been dealt a serious double-whammy on the injury front.
Speedy forward Grant Cruikshank is likely done for the season due to a broken ankle, while defenceman Ryan O’Connell is set to miss a “significant” amount of time due to a broken arm he suffered Tuesday while at the World Junior A Challenge, according to Vees coach and general manager Fred Harbinson.
Cruikshank was fifth in team scoring with 11 goals and 10 assists before being injured on Dec. 8 in a home game against West Kelowna.
“Unfortunately, he had surgery (Wednesday) and they found ligament damage around the break in the ankle, so that will more than likely put him out for the rest of the year,” said Harbinson, who described the 19-year-old Wisconsin native as “arguably the fastest player in the league.”
“He was just starting to come into his own here,” the coach added. “You’re not going to replace him. It’s impossible to replace him.”
O’Connell’s three goals and 11 assists put him third among Vees’ blueliners in scoring in what is the 18-year-old Ontario native’s first campaign in Penticton.
His mates will be expected to pick up the slack, while the club has also signed Ocean Weisblatt, an 18-year-old forward from the Brooks Bandits of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
Through 28 games this season, the 5-foot-9, 170-pounder has two goals and six assists to go with 48 penalty minutes.
“He’s an energy player, who will bring some speed to our lineup,” Harbinson said.
Weisblatt, who will wear No. 27, is set to make his Vees (22-6-1-2) debut tonight, when the club visits the West Kelowna Warriors (17-15-1-0) for the final regularseason matchup between the two squads.
Penticton, four points behind the Interior Division-leading Vernon Vipers, has a 4-1 edge in the season series against the Warriors, who are sitting fifth in the division standings.
On Saturday, the Vees return home to host the Nanaimo Clippers (16-12-3-2) for a 6 p.m. puck drop at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
“Both games are going to be real exciting games, and both are going to be big games for us,” said Harbinson.
Saturday’s tilt also features the annual teddy bear toss, during which fans are encouraged to throw a stuffed animal onto the ice after the Vees’ first goal. All of the toys will then be donated to Salvation Army, which will distribute them to needy families.
“It’s always an exciting night and it’s great to be able to give back to the community, too,” said Harbinson.
“Hopefully we can get that first goal quick.”
ICE CHIPS: Vees assistant captain and top-line F Chris Klack is scheduled to miss another four weeks with an upperbody injury sustained at practice in early November . . . . The Vees will also be without D Jonny Tychonick, who is playing for Team Canada West at the WJAC in Nova Scotia. The team was 1-2 heading into a Thursday night match against the Czech Republic . . . . The Vees resume play after the Christmas break with a pair of road games Dec. 29 and 30 in Wenatchee.