O'Brien, Johnson injured

by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 9, 2012 1:37 PM MST in Avalanche News & Notes

During the Avalanche's 4-0 loss to St. Louis on Saturday, both Shane O'Brien and Erik Johnson left the ice due to injuries. It's still unclear how Johnson hurt his hand, but it happened during the first period. He did not return to the game. O'Brien's knee fell victim to an awkward hit behind the Avs' net midway through the game. O'Brien, however, did return.

It was announced today by the Denver Post that O'Brien will be out for at least the next two games. Johnson is day-to-day.

Ryan Wilson, who was recently reactivated after being on IR from a head injury he sustained on December, 6, 2011, will replace O'Brien on the roster. If Johnson is not able to play, Matt Hunwick will take his spot.

The Avalanche face the Nashville Predators at the Pepsi Center on Tuesday and then head to Nashville on Thursday for the second half of the home-and-home against the Preds.

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We may not have much quality offensive depth, but at least the situation is better on D. Hope they both make full speedy recoveries. And that Wilson returns to his big hit form sooner than after the last injury.

"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck" -Obi Wan Kenobi

O'Reilly works harder than you

by TheRed on Jan 9, 2012 1:43 PM MST reply actions

Wilson will be fine as a SOB replacement for the time being. Hopefully EJ won’t be out too long though

Mission 48.3 Accomplished!

by patrit19 on Jan 9, 2012 1:50 PM MST reply actions

I’ll put a six pack down that Hunwick does well if he plays more than a game or two.

Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers

by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 9, 2012 2:00 PM MST up reply actions

Define well.

FTR, I think he is fine as a depth d man. He is much better than last season, at any rate.

"In my experience, there's no such thing as luck" -Obi Wan Kenobi

O'Reilly works harder than you

by TheRed on Jan 9, 2012 2:15 PM MST up reply actions

He doesn’t give me insta-heartattacks, so yeah, thats waaay better. I actually trust him this year.

Thanks, Joe... Thanks, Peter.... Thanks, Adam....

by mfured20 on Jan 9, 2012 2:40 PM MST up reply actions

I wonder who will get a call up if both get put on IR. I have a feeling it might be Liffiton. They would want Gaunce and Barrie to play often. Hunwick deserves to get playing time, he has well this year. Only has 1 point but has not been victimized much on the defensive side of things

by avalanchejef on Jan 9, 2012 2:26 PM MST reply actions

As much as I’d love to see Barrie in the NHL, I think Gaunce or Liffiton would be the better call.

No soup for you!

by creamy on Jan 9, 2012 2:28 PM MST up reply actions

Bring up Lifton if their looking for a 7th D, Gaunce if they want to bench Hunwick.

Peter McNabb thinks I'm outstanding.

by An Unmitigated Disaster on Jan 9, 2012 2:39 PM MST up reply actions

The reason why I say liffiton is because he is a better canidate for nacho duty. I doubt the Avs would want to have Gaunce or Barrie sitting

by avalanchejef on Jan 9, 2012 2:39 PM MST up reply actions

I agree, but if, say, Wilson is a little slow getting back on his feet, they might elect to sit him some and let the recent call-up play. It would be nice to get a view of Guance or Barrie at this level this year.

Thanks, Joe... Thanks, Peter.... Thanks, Adam....

by mfured20 on Jan 9, 2012 2:41 PM MST up reply actions

If Liffiton is called up and wants some nachos, I’m buying!

Twitter - MileHigh33

by BrianD on Jan 9, 2012 4:25 PM MST up reply actions

Liffiton is LEM's Captain

That might carry some consideration.

Just a Colorado girl in Montana who ♥s the Avs and writes for Mile High Hockey.

by andidee15 on Jan 9, 2012 5:44 PM MST up reply actions

It might, but I wouldn’t count on it

by avalanchejef on Jan 9, 2012 7:50 PM MST up reply actions

i agree, I think the Avalanche’s best interest trump anything. Plus I don’t think Liffiton would mind the increase in pay

I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

by ProfessorOak on Jan 9, 2012 7:56 PM MST up reply actions

If Liffiton plays he’ll score goals and stand up for his team mates like last year. Do we really want that on our team? Oh, wait…

Varly!

by niwotsblessing on Jan 9, 2012 8:00 PM MST up reply actions

he wasn’t horrible when he played

I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

by ProfessorOak on Jan 9, 2012 8:02 PM MST up reply actions

No call up needed. They have two D-men available.

If Johnson is not able to play, Matt Hunwick will take his spot.

I know…reading is hard.

Duchene may be the face of this franchise, but O’Reilly is the heart. - Guitarpick8120
Mile High Hockey
The Hockey Writers

by Cheryl Bradley on Jan 10, 2012 10:40 AM MST up reply actions

I wonder what he did to his hand. You would think that it isn’t broken if he is day to day. I would think it has to be something pretty bad or something that has an affect on what he can do with his stick to keep him out.

Avalanche Hockey: egressing to the mean

by cush52 on Jan 9, 2012 2:48 PM MST reply actions

Maybe a finger? A lot of guys play with finger injuries after the initial swelling goes down

At exactly what point do you start to realize that life without knowledge is death in disguise?

by SteveHouse on Jan 9, 2012 4:29 PM MST up reply actions

Boo! Johnson and O’Brien injured!
Yay! Ryan Wilson!

When does the hurting stop?

by BraxtanFILM on Jan 9, 2012 3:05 PM MST reply actions

in unrelated news, the Ducks called up Kyle Cumiskey

also, Mark Olver has been sent down to LEM (which explains the “glitch” in the website last week)

DDC is deeply embedded throughout this blog. For better or worse, his taint taints us all.

by David Driscoll-Carignan on Jan 9, 2012 7:09 PM MST reply actions

Wonder is the Ducks are expecting a suspension for Beaucheman?

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on Jan 9, 2012 7:27 PM MST up reply actions

and nothing for Beaucheman

I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

by ProfessorOak on Jan 9, 2012 7:39 PM MST up reply actions

eat more nachos kyle

I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

by ProfessorOak on Jan 9, 2012 7:39 PM MST up reply actions

and btw, he has 2 goals and 12 assists in 29 games in Syracuse, in case anyone was wondering

I'm not questioning your powers of observation; I'm merely remarking upon the paradox of asking a masked man who he is.

by ProfessorOak on Jan 9, 2012 7:43 PM MST up reply actions

Where are you seeing this? All I’ve seen is that their forward Jacques is getting three games.

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on Jan 9, 2012 7:49 PM MST up reply actions

in other unrelated news….
man shoots lion in his pajamas…..how the lion got in the mans pajamas is still a mystery…

"Hey man, don't bogart that puck."

by KKtheHippie on Jan 9, 2012 7:32 PM MST up reply actions

HA HA HA HA

Vancouver Canucks down 2-1 to the Panthers with just 20 seconds left the Canucks Burrows gets called for a questionable interference and the Panthers end the game on the power play.

Datsyuk may have done it first, but he learned it from Peter Forsberg.

Thanks for everything Foppa!
Footer: We'll miss seeing you clear the riff raff off your lawn.

by Americanario on Jan 9, 2012 7:57 PM MST reply actions