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[UPDATED] Almost lost in Canada dodging a scare against Latvia in today's Olympic quarterfinal was an event that could be devastating to the New York Islanders: John Tavares left the game with a knee injury, and the initial news and fears is not good. Not good at all.
Tavares took a hard hit along the right wing boards from Latvia's Arturs Kulda, immediately hit the ice, and had trouble getting back to the bench.
From the video, it appeared to be contact with Tavares' left knee, from the side, which hobbled him. He did not play in the third period, where Canada used a controversial penalty call to score the game-winner by Shea Weber with under seven minutes left.
A gif of the contact via @myregularface shows a good view, where you can see Tavares immediately favors the left leg after contact with its knee:
We await word on whether it is serious or 'tis merely a flesh wound. [UPDATE: Sportsnet and others have coach Mike Babcock saying Tavares is out for the Olympics, so through Sunday at least.]
Echoing @TSNBobMcKenzie, heard that initial news on Tavares is not good. Could be multiple ligament damage. Exam tomorrow will tell. #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) February 19, 2014
Canada is deep and can survive his loss just like they, heh, survived Latvia.
The Islanders, on the other hand...
