Getzlaf 'feels better' but status up in air
Last Updated: Tuesday, February 9, 2010 | 10:41 PM ET
By Brandon Hicks, CBC Sports
Ryan Getzlaf is second on the Ducks with 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists). (Harry How/Getty Images)An MRI on the sprained left ankle of Ryan Getzlaf shows no significant ligament damage, and the Anaheim Ducks centre is optimistic that he can still compete in the Olympics for Team Canada.
Getzlaf — who is listed as day-to-day — was injured in the second period during the Ducks' 4-2 win over Los Angeles, leaving the game after he got tangled up with L.A.'s Dustin Brown six minutes in. It happened minutes after he scored to put the Ducks up 2-1.
"My ankle feels much better today and I'm relieved the test showed no significant damage," Getzlaf said in a release. "My goal is to return to the ice this week for the Ducks, and I look forward to joining Team Canada for the Olympics".
Following Monday's game, he left the Honda Center on crutches. X-rays at the arena revealed he had no broken bones, and the MRI was done on Tuesday.
"I made a little pass back and ended up tucking my ankle underneath me," he said. "With the way the play went and the way it felt, it was definitely a scary time. Last night was tough for me.
"This morning, it looked really positive."
Dreaded injury
The worry was that the injury is actually a high ankle sprain, which could take up to a month and a half to heal, but Getzlaf is positive that he doesn't have that dreaded injury.
"I don't think it's what they call a high ankle sprain because that from what I understand that is a little higher than where mine is," he said. "It's a great thing. I'm really positive this morning and hope for the best. We'll see how things go from here. I'll be in contact with the doctors all day. We'll probably know a little bit more tomorrow."
The Regina native leads Anaheim in scoring, with 15 goals and 42 assists for 57 points.
Teammate Corey Perry, also a member of the Canadian Olympic squad, is second on the Ducks with 56 points (21 goals, 35 assists).
If Getzlaf can't go for the Olympics, the top candidates for the empty spot on Canada's roster look to be Tampa's Steven Stamkos and Philadelphia's Jeff Carter.
Stamkos, 20, is having a fantastic sophomore season, racking up 32 goals and 29 assists for 61 points, second on the team and 13th overall in the NHL.
Carter has 23 goals and 25 assists, but what might weigh in his favour is his greater NHL and international experience.
But Jason Spezza, Brad Richards, Martin St. Louis, Shane Doan and several others will also garner serious consideration.
The Canadian men's hockey team starts its push for gold next Tuesday against Norway.
