NHL: Injury-plagued Avalanche lose Erik Johnson to head injury

The Associated Press

Published: February 13, 2013 10:36 pm
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Englewood, Colo. • From illness to injuries, the Colorado Avalanche just can't stay healthy early in this lockout-shortened season.

These days, there appears to be a revolving door into the training room.

Take Wednesday for instance: On the day Matt Hunwick returned to the ice from a torso injury, his partner on defense, Erik Johnson, was missing — out indefinitely after he suffered a head injury in a game against Phoenix earlier in the week.

That's simply the way the season has gone for the struggling Avalanche, who have dropped three straight heading into a game at Minnesota on Thursday night.

Coach Joe Sacco can't explain the rash of injuries, and forward John Mitchell says he's not seen anything like it.

The Avs already are missing captain Gabriel Landeskog (head) and defenseman Ryan Wilson (ankle), along with forward Steve Downie.

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