‘ Tough go’ for injured Pronger
Concussion drama at home, wife says
Lauren Pronger had some candid comments about how her husband, Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Chris Pronger, is dealing with his concussion. “It’s a tough go at home,” Lauren Pronger told Csnphilly on Wednesday at the inaugural Flyers Wives Fashion Show. “We’re going day- to- day right now. Good days, bad days. It’s been a lot of trauma. We’re just praying right now. “He’s battling. He wants to be out there, more than anybody. It’s tough for all of us to watch and go through.” Chris Pronger has been out of the Flyers’ lineup since Nov. 19 and was ruled out for the remainder of the season last month, with what the Flyers described as “severe post- concussion syndrome.” The situation has been difficult on the Prongers’ two young sons. “They’re confused all the time,” Lauren Pronger said. “‘ Dad, when can we go to a game? ... Dad, when are you going to play?’ “He just looks at them and says, ‘ Please don’t ask that question.’ “RYAN FRUSTRATED WITH TRADE TALK: Around this time every season, there’s a group of players dogged by trade rumours. Anaheim Ducks winger Bobby Ryan is chief among this year’s group. “It’s frustrating because I think my play over the past 10 games has been good enough to where they should cease a little bit and there should be some protection there,” Ryan told the Orange County Register. “It’s the nature of the business, I guess. We’re still a team that’s [ 12] points out of the playoffs. We didn’t have a good first half and set ourselves so far behind.” Ryan got off to a sluggish start this season, but has picked up his pace recently and looks headed for his fourth straight 30- goal campaign. SUSPECT BACK OUT ON BAIL: Dennis Veteri, the New Jersey man charged in the Winter Classic beating of a New York Rangers fan, was free on bail again, even though a judge raised the amount of the bond by 400 per cent. The Philadelphia Flyers fan was initially released last Friday after posting the required 10 per cent of the $ 100,000. On Wednesday, a judge boosted the bail amount to $ 400,000. Veteri was released later Wednesday after $ 40,000 was posted. Veteri, who was arrested last Thursday, is charged in the Jan. 2 beating of Neal Auricchio, an off- duty New Jersey police officer and decorated Iraq war veteran, outside a Philadelphia restaurant following the Rangers- Flyers outdoor game at Citizens Bank Park.