Hodgson on way back to Winnipeg after injury

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This article was published 10/12/2010 (3362 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The news gets worse by the minute for the Manitoba Moose, who started tonight’s AHL game without top rookie and top-goal scorer Cody Hodgson.

Hodgson took a heavy high stick from teammate Lee Sweatt during Thursday’s practice here and had to be evaluated at a local medical clinic.

The team said tonight Hodgson is on his way home to Winnipeg and didn’t deny he has a broken orbital bone, suggested earlier in the day by Vancouver executives to reporters there.

With Hodgson apparently now out indefinitely, fellow rookie Jordan Schroeder had to be helped off the ice during tonight’s first period against the Oklahoma City Barons.

Schroeder, with five goals and 13 points so far in his first pro season, was favouring his right leg and didn’t return to the game.

The team signed forward Francis Lemieux from Florida of the ECHL to fill in for Hodgson in tonight’s game. There’s no word on who’s the next call-up if one’s required for Saturday night’s game in San Antonio.

And in the final minute of tonight’s first period, Moose skaters Aaron Volpatti and Mark Flood — who’s just returning after missing 14 games — collided near the team’s bench and both appeared woozy before the buzzer. Both returned for the second period.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

For full details and updates, read the weekend edition of the Free Press on Saturday.