Michael Peca’s apology isn’t good enough for Glen Sather and may not be for Jamie Lundmark either.
The controversial knee-on-knee hit delivered by the Islanders center in Thursday night’s game has sidelined Lundmark indefinitely.
An MRI taken yesterday confirmed a torn right MCL and at least and eight-week absence from the Rangers’ lineup.
Luckily for Lundmark, there was no damage inflicted on his ACL.
“It’s worse today. It’s really stiff and I can’t really move it,” whispered Lundmark, while leaning on a pair of crutches sporting a huge knee brace. “I’ll just stay positive and hope for the best.”
Sather isn’t that forgiving. As promised he has sent league disciplinarian and former Blueshirts coach Colin Campbell a copy of the hit, with hopes of getting Peca suspended.
The Rangers GM/coach was still boiling yesterday following his team’s workout. He invited the media to accompany him to the film room for another chance to see the hit from a few more angles. The first two replays were same exact ones that viewers at home watched on MSG Network. Both seemed incidental and too close to call.
But a third replay of the collision, which resulted in a five-minute major and Peca’s ejection from the game, could back Sather’s argument. It looked as if Peca shifted all of his weight from his left leg to his right and purposely took down Lundmark.
“It’s right there on the tape for Colin [Campbell] to see,” Sather said. “It was a nice gesture that [Peca] apologized after the game, but he definitely did it on purpose. It’s the same kind of hit that other players in the league have been guilty of in the past.”
The Lundmark injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for him.
After being benched for two games last month, Lundmark was starting to regain his confidence on the ice. He was playing a more physical game and looked very strong carrying the puck.
“Jamie has worked so hard this year, since training camp,” Brian Leetch said. “There’s not much you can say to him right now because he’s upset. But I know he’ll work through this and get back out there.”
“It’s really the first time I’ve gotten injured like this,” Lundmark added. “It’s just really unfortunate.”
For everyone involved.
* Rangers captain Mark Messier practiced yesterday after sitting out of Thursday’s game against the Isles with a charley horse. The injury he received in Toronto back on Tuesday looks healed and he should be in the lineup tomorrow when the Rangers host the Lightning.
