Hockey roundup

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This article was published 13/01/2012 (5334 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Penner fires back after Pancake-gate

Last week’s revelation that Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Penner (right) injured his back while eating pancakes conjured a good amount of ridicule.

Penner — not known for his drive or grit on the ice — suffered back spasms when he sat down to eat, what he called, his wife’s “delicious pancakes.”

This week, Penner fired off his view of things to the blog site, Mayorsmanor.com.

Here’s what he had to say: ” . . . they were vegetarian pancakes. The injury happened as I was sitting down to eat, not mid-bite. And yes, I did finish them. There has been some feedback from the media as a whole regarding the lack of transparency involving injuries. So, I decided to be candid.

“First and foremost, I think we can agree that having delicious pancakes that your wife made for breakfast, for a 1 p.m. game, is not out of the norm. Secondly, SOBS (sudden onset back spasms) can occur at any moment, doing just about anything you can think of, and is a very serious issue.

“Those who have experienced SOBS know it is no laughing matter. I’m a little hurt, to tell you the truth, that the plight of my people isn’t being taken seriously.

“Frankly, I don’t mind the attention and there’s no such thing as bad press, right? Apparently, I made it onto ESPN’s Around the Horn and joined Kings’ ATH alumnus Dustin Brown (see: water bottle incident) and have also became a twitter sensation overnight (with hashtag #pennercakes). So, I’m hoping to get an endorsement from IHOP or Denny’s.”

Penner also plans to hold a charity pancake fundraiser.

No word on Backstrom, Green

No news is bad news for the Washington Capitals when it comes to the expected returns of injured all-star centre Nicklas Backstrom and defenceman Mike Green.

Backstrom has already missed three games with a concussion courtesy of an elbow from the Calgary Flames’ Rene Bourque. Green, who aggravated a groin injury in San Jose versus the Sharks, has played in only 10 games this season.

Backstrom, who leads the Caps with 42 points and is 15th overall in NHL scoring, was likely left off the all-star roster due to this uncertain return date.

Habs ship Cammalleri to Flames

The Montreal Canadiens have traded forward Michael Cammalleri the day after he made comments critical of the team’s attitude. The Canadiens shipped Cammalleri to the Calgary Flames in exchange for forward Rene Bourque. Montreal also gets forward prospect Patrick Holland and a second-round pick in the 2013 NHL entry draft. The Flames receive goaltender Karri Ramo and a fifth-round pick in the 2012 NHL entry draft.

“Mike Cammalleri is a dynamic player who enjoyed great success playing in Calgary,” Flames general manager Jay Feaster said in a news release. “We believe Cammalleri will help our offensive production, solidify a second scoring line, bolster our power play, and bring another strong veteran voice to our room.”

— Postmedia News