Hockey

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Wilson expects Toskala back from injury soon

By: Around the NHL

25/11/2009 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

TORONTO Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson does not expect Vesa Toskala to be out very long after he aggravated a groin injury Monday night against the New York Islanders.

The 33-year-old Finn, who has been in and out as Toronto's starter this season, has just one win this season with a pedestrian 3.91 goals-against average, but he had played well enough to earn starts in each of Toronto's last two games.

"With Vesa, it's a minor groin injury," Wilson said Tuesday before the team left for a two-game road trip. "He won't come on the trip, but I don't think he'll miss a lot of time."

Shea's a nice guy after all

DETROIT defender Andreas Lilja hasn't played since being pummeled by big Nashville blue-liner Shea Weber back on Feb. 28.

Lilja has made progress in his long-term recovery from a concussion -- suffered in the one-sided fight.

Weber, a blue-chip candidate for Canada's Olympic team, clearly is still bothered that Lilja is injured.

"Obviously, I feel bad," said Weber to the Detroit News. "It's a situation that just kind of happened on the ice, but you don't ever want anything bad like that to happen. Tempers flare and fights happen, but you definitely don't like to see that."

Lilja has suffered with headaches and dizziness ever since. "I just wish him all the best," Weber added. "I hope he can recover and come back and be the player he was before."

Lilja is expected to return sometime this season.

Booth still hurting

FLORIDA sniper David Booth is still a long way from making his way back to the Panthers.

Booth suffered a concussion on Oct. 24 thanks to a hit from Philadelphia forward Michael Richards. Booth still can't exercise due to the concussion and can barely read or watch TV.

"Usually whenever you have (other injuries) you could so something, so it's really frustrating," Booth said to the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "I watch games sometimes but just the stimulation, the lightest light, those things (worsen the condition)."

Habs, Leafs 'overrated'

THE New York Post on Tuesday put together its list of the most overrated teams in pro sports.

The Dallas Cowboys checked in at No. 1, followed by the New York Knicks then the New York Mets.

Two NHL teams tied for the No. 6 slot: "6. Montreal Canadiens -- Used to be the Yankees of hockey. Now they are .500. Put Toronto Maple Leafs in this category too."

-- Canwest News Service

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition November 25, 2009 C5

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