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NHL Leafs center Peca suffers broken leg, knee injury
2006-12-24
Toronto Maple Leafs center Michael Peca will be sidelined up to four months with a broken right leg that will require surgery and torn ligaments, the National Hockey League club announced. Leafs general manager John Ferguson said Peca has a fractured tibia at the base of his right knee. Peca suffered the injury Friday in the first period of a 3-1 loss to Chicago Blackhawks when he collided with Blackhawks defenseman Jim Vandermeer in a knee-on-knee collision. "It's tough when you see a guy (Vandermeer) who can barely play in this league take out one of the best players in this league," said Leafs center Jeff O'Neill. "I don't know if he meant to do it or not but this sucks for us." Peca might be unable to return until the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Leafs are clinging to the last Eastern Conference playoff spot but could ill afford to lose the 32-year-old Canadian, who has four goals and 11 assists in 35 games. "Our guy will be out a long time and their guy will probably be in the minors by the time our guy gets back," Leafs coach Paul Maurice said. Vandermeer said the collision was accidental. "My legs were together and I turned out of the way," Vandermeer said. "We did hit knee on knee, but it was more him trying to get out the way then me throwing something out there to hit him." Peca, a 12-year NHL veteran who has also played with Vancouver, Buffalo and the New York Islanders, enjoyed his best season in 1998-1999 when he scored 27 goals and added 29 assists for Buffalo.
Hurricanes top Penguins despite Crosby's 200th career point (2007-03-03)Leafs solve Canadiens penalty kill to win 4-1 (2007-01-28)NHL Leafs center Peca suffers broken leg, knee injury (2006-12-24)Murray loses coaching debut with Blues (2006-12-13)Maple Leafs hand Sabres first regulation loss of season (2006-11-05)
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