Other Sports

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Schneider injury leaves Moose D-ficient

Blue-line sniper out one to two weeks

By: Paul Wiecek

Posted: 01/27/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

Mathieu Schneider is frustrated by the first knee injury he can remember. (DAVID LIPNOWSKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES )

WORCESTER, MASS. -- Manitoba Moose defenceman Mathieu Schneider -- the quarterback of the club's powerplay and the most experienced defenceman on an already depleted corps of blueliners -- will be out of the lineup 1-2 weeks with a knee injury, the team announced here Tuesday.

Schneider injured his knee during practice at the DCU centre Monday afternoon when his skate got caught in a rut.

He was examined by doctors here in Worcester on Tuesday -- there was no tear apparent on x-rays -- but the team is discussing having him sent for an MRI for further examination.

What is already clear, Moose head coach Scott Arniel said following practice yesterday, is that Schneider will not play in any of the four games remaining on this road trip, including tonight against the Worcester Sharks.

And that's a big blow for a club that was already missing two defencemen to injury -- Geoff Waugh and Nathan McIver -- and one to call-up -- Nolan Baumgartner.

Baumgartner is expected to remain with the Canucks in Vancouver through the rest of this week, Arniel said.

And so put it altogether and losing Schneider -- the most offensive of the team's defencemen on a goal-starved club -- while the club finds itself in the midst of both a gruelling road trip and a four-game losing streak was the last thing the Moose needed right now.

"He hurts his knee on bad ice -- that's just the kind of thing that's been happening for us this season," said Arniel. "I've seen more of Mullett (Moose trainer Rob Milette) this season than anyone else on this hockey club."

Schneider is still with the club here while they decide what to do next and he expressed frustration Tuesday with what he said is the first knee injury he can recall in two decades of pro hockey, most of it in the NHL.

"When a team's struggling, it's more difficult than when things are going well. And being on the road doesn't help either.

"It's nothing major but we're still not sure exactly what's going on," Schneider said. "The MRI will tell for sure."

In the meantime, the Moose have flown in another veteran blueliner in 30-year-old Tommy Galvin.

Galvin has most recently been playing in the IHL with the Muskegon Lumberjacks this season, but he's got 197 career games in the AHL. That includes 71 games with the Grand Rapids Griffins last season in which he registered 2 goals, 13 assists and 40 penalty minutes.

Galvin's also spent time with Grand Rapids and Providence this season and he said following his first practice with his new teammates Tuesday afternoon that he's getting used to living from a suitcase. "I've got a lot of frequent flyer miles this year," Galvin said.

Galvin practiced on the powerplay and will likely see time there when the Moose play the Sharks tonight.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Manitoba Moose vs. Worcester Sharks (San Jose)

Today, Friday (7:05 p.m.)

DCU Centre, Worcester, Mass.

The Matchup: The Moose have a season record of 23-19-4-1 (51 points) and are presently third in the North Division. Worcester is 27-14-1-2 (57 points) and are presently third in the Atlantic Dvision.

The Skinny: The Moose have lost their last four straight by a wide margin and need to get things back on track quickly. Worcester's won three in a row and play a very disciplined style of game that sees them one of the least penalized teams in the league.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 27, 2010 C4

(You must be logged in to post your reaction)

Your reaction?

More Other Sports

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.