Konrad Abeltshauser’s nasty fall was not as bad as it looked.
The Halifax Mooseheads rookie could be back as early as Friday for the team’s QMJHL season-opener after leaving the ice in a pool of blood in last Friday’s exhibition finale.
Abeltshauser, who arrived from Germany for his rookie campaign a month ago, was accidentally hit in the face by the helmet of teammate Chuckie Schembri and told coaches he “couldn’t feel his teeth” after he barely stumbled off the ice.
But X-rays came back negative on the weekend, quelling fears that he might have broken his jaw or cheekbone.
“Just a fat lip,” said associate coach Chris Donnelly. “He might be concussed and that’s what we’re waiting to see — if that’s a reality, he might have to wait seven days.”
Abeltshauser could be back on the ice for a light skate today.
In other injury news, 17-year-old defenceman Garrett Clarke practised yesterday but is still bothered by a nagging groin injury and may not be able to play Friday against the Cape Breton Screaming Eagles in Sydney.
SCHEMBRI SETTLES IN Aside from Schembri’s accidental run-in with Abeltshauser, the 19-year-old is settling in with his new team. Schembri, claimed off waivers from the Moncton Wildcats last Wednesday, said there are no hard feelings between he and Mooseheads blue-liner Spencer Metcalfe.
Schembri and Metcalfe went toe-to-toe in a spirited fight when the Wildcats met the Mooseheads two weeks ago.
“We’re buddies now,” the five-foot-nine agitator said. “We went golfing together Saturday so it’s all good.”
HARD SKATE The Mooseheads were skated into the ground at practice at the Civic Centre yesterday, pushed to their limits in a series of suicides after two days off.
“We have a big game coming up on Friday,” said veteran right-winger Linden Bahm. “We’re working hard and getting ready … We’re going to be a hard-working team this year and I think this kind of practice does us good.”
