Ballard injured

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Keith Ballard is out "for a while" according to Gretz, after injuring his hand in the first period.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

Man, that sucks. I guess we won't know for how long until he can see some docs over the next day or two. He is one of the reasons that I still enjoy watching the team. I guess it is time for Yandle to get some burn?

 

[Nasser22]

He seems pretty fragile, the games I watched this season they kept talking about how Laraque was protecting him and how he got beat up last year or something...at least Sjostrom is back.

What happened to Jovanowski?

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Ballard certainly isn't fragile. He plays a lot bigger than his size and is as tough as they come.

 

[ArizonaSportsFan]

With the amount of shots that Ballard blocks, I would never call him fragile. In fact, he got hurt blocking on a shot after a turnover in the defensive zone by one of the forwards - if I remember the play correctly.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

BALLARD HURT

After playing in 84 straight games, it appears Keith Ballard will miss some action for the first time in his NHL career.

The second-year defenseman suffered a right hand injury midway through the second period while blocking a shot and did not return. Ballard’s hand was reportedly very swollen, and he was taken for X-rays. The results are expected today, but his hand is likely fractured.

“He’s going to be out for a while,” Gretzky said.

Ballard is scheduled to fly back to Phoenix today to see a specialist. The Coyotes will call up rookie Keith Yandle from San Antonio of the AHL to take his place.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=76187

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Out for a month.

Guess it could be worse. At least the team is deep at that position.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Huge blow for the team to have Ballard out for "at least a month," as the report said. Keith Yandle has been called up to take his place.

 

[howlincoyote2k1]

I know I'm late, but Keith Ballard has been our best defenseman this season so far.

Going a month without this guy, who brings so much passion, fire, and heart to the game in addition to his skills...is going to be quite tough, to say the least.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

I'd have to say that Michalek has been our best defenseman so far this season.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

Best news the Coyotes have recieved all month, Ballard is close to returning and may play Thursday against Dallas.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/1107coyotesnb1107.html

 

[howlincoyote2k1]

The return of Keith Ballard would be the best thing (realistically) this team could ask for right now. However, I want to make sure his hand is fully healed before he makes his return; the last thing we would need is a reaggravation.