Arizona Coyotes: Concern after Alex Goligoski injured in big hit
By James Reeve
The Arizona Coyotes will be waiting with genuine concern after Alex Goligoski left last night’s game with an injury after a big hit.
In the Arizona Coyotes‘ close 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars, Alex Goligoski was the victim of a brutal boarding from Brett Ritchie, being forced to leave the game.
Ritchie was given a game misconduct penalty after a clear boarding hit that saw Goligoski bleed from the face and leave the ice late in the second period.
Here is Brett Ritchie' hit on Alex Goligoski. pic.twitter.com/5UgAYB9gaZ
— Matthew DeFranks (@MDeFranks) February 5, 2019
While the hit wasn’t as big as some others this season, the impact into the boards was dangerous and could see the former Stars blueliner miss tonight’s game against the Nashville Predators.
The Grand Rapids, Minnesota native spent six years with the Texas team before moving to the desert in a deal that saw the Coyotes part with a fifth-round pick in the 2016 draft.
The now 33-year-old left-hander is in his third year of a five-year deal holding an AAV of $5.475 million, with the deal set to expire in 2021.
Goligoski has been a decent veteran presence for a strong defensive corps in Arizona, registering 88 points (20 goals, 68 assists) in 206 regular season appearances in the desert.
The Arizona Coyotes have had a torrid time with injuries this season and are already expected to lose Jakob Chychrun, having placed him on injured reserve earlier in the day.
Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said D Alex Goligoski failed a concussion test after a boarding penalty on Dallas' Brett Ritchie on Monday. He'll be tested again today. 8 regulars currently out of lineup: Raanta, Demers, Chychrun, Goligoski, Schmaltz, Grabner, Richardson, Dvorak.
— Craig Morgan (@CraigSMorgan) February 5, 2019
Per Craig Morgan, head coach Rick Tocchet explained that Goligoski failed a concussion test after the hit, but will be tested before tonight’s game against Nashville.
If Goligoski has suffered a concussion, he could be kept out for longer than the team would’ve initially hoped and will be another key piece on the growing list of injuries the team has suffered through this season.
The Arizona Coyotes are still within touching distance of the wildcard places, but persistent injuries could take their toll and see the team begin to slip away from becoming the best story in the NHL, with Tocchet fully deserving of the Jack Adams if the team is able to overcome the odds.
Goligoski could play tonight if he is deemed healthy, but it appears that the Coyotes will take a cautious approach and expect the worst.
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