Roberto Luongo Backing Up; Feeling 100 Percent
Following yesterday’s practice, Roberto Luongo claimed he is back to 100 percent. From the Vancouver Sun:
“I talked to Louie after practice and he said he was 100 per cent but it was just the first practice where he felt really comfortable,” Vigneault explained. “So we’ll give him a couple more days and he should be good to go. There’s also the fact that Schneids played well. I mean, he was by far our best player on the ice last game.”
This Friday’s away game against the Phoenix Coyotes sounds like an attainable goal. If not then, the Canucks travel to San Jose to face the Sharks on Saturday. Expect Bobby Lou to get into one of the back-to-backs.
* * *
UPDATE 11/17/11: Luongo did not practice again but was seen on the ice with goalie coach Rolland Melanson a half an hour prior to the team hitting the ice. According to Gordon McIntyre of The White Towel coach Alain Vigneault could only say Luongo remains day-to-day.
In other news, rookie Eddie Lack was reassigned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL for salary cap purposes. Should he not come back to the Canucks before Sunday’s game it would indicate Luongo is healthy enough to at least backup Schneider.
Stay tuned for a further status update on your top goalie.
* * *
UPDATE 11/16/11: The Vancouver Canucks recalled Eddie Lack from the Chicago Wolves of the AHL which serves as a ominous sign for starting goalie Roberto Luongo. Lack, a veteran of two AHL seasons after crossing the pond from Sweden, is expected to backup Cory Schneider tonight and perhaps Sunday as well.
As of right now, Luongo is listed as day-to-day which is the only thing head coach Alain Vigneault will disclose according to Ann Schmaltz of News 1130, via Twitter. Stay tuned for a further update on Bobby Lou and grab Schneider if he is for whatever reason still available in your fantasy hockey league.
* * *
UPDATE 11/15/11: Apparently Roberto Luongo was injured in the Vancouver Canucks’ 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders. Not only did he stop a puck with his helmet but he also tweaked his groin as he split to stop the rebound. Ouch.
However, this injury should remain minor as Jason Botchford of The Province recently explained. “Not that Luongo is seriously hurt. There’s no indication of that. He even claimed on Monday he was ‘good to go.'”
Expect Cory Schneider to play between the pipes tomorrow night against the all-too-familiar Chicago Blackhawks with Luongo set to back him up. Should there be any further complications to his ‘upper-body injury‘ we will be sure to update you right here.