22
января 1998 года.
Ulanov Hab-ing bad luck
MONTREAL (CP) -- Igor Ulanov hobbled out on crutches, wondering
how bad his luck could be to blow out a knee in the first period of his
first game as a Montreal Canadien.
"In French you say c'est la vie (that's life)," Ulanov said Thursday.
"There's nothing you can change now."
Ulanov injured the MCL ligament in his left knee when he missed
Boston Bruins forward Steve Heinze with an open ice check and instead collided
with defence partner Peter Popovic during Montreal's 4-2 NHL win on Wednesday
night.
He was to undergo further tests to determine how badly the ligament
is damaged and how long he will be out of action. He is expected to miss
a minimum of four weeks.
The name Robert Dirk leapt instantly to mind when Ulanov left
the game after only five shifts.
Dirk, a defenceman acquired from Anaheim in January, 1996, fractured
a shoulderblade in his first game with the Canadiens. He was released two
months later.
Ulanov was to be the key player in the Canadiens six-player swap
with the Tampa Bay Lightning last week that also brought in forward Patrick
Poulin and tough guy Mick Vukota.
The 27-year-old Russian, on his fifth team in seven seasons,
is known for taking dangerous runs at opponents in the neutral zone.
This one cost him the first major injury of his career and a
goal, as Anson Carter picked up the loose puck and scored while Ulanov
and Popovic were sprawled on the ice.
"The only thing I can think of is that we don't really know each
other," said Popovic. "I don't know what he's going to do in a certain
situation and he doesn't know what I'll do.
"I didn't see how it happened, exactly. By the time I saw him,
it was too late."
Defenceman Craig Rivet, bumped from the lineup by Ulanov, is
expected to take his old position back when the Canadiens play a pair of
home afternoon games on Super Bowl weekend against Carolina and New Jersey.
The Canadiens also called rookie defenceman Brett Clark back
from Fredericton. Clark had been sent down after the trade, while another
defenceman, Jassen Cullimore, was claimed on waivers by Tampa Bay.
"Now, we've got the same defence as before the trade -- it doesn't
change anything," said Popovic.
25 января 1998 года.
Ulanov out for season with torn knee ligaments
MONTREAL (AP) -- Igor Ulanov, a defenseman obtained by Montreal
earlier this month, will miss the remainder of the season because of torn
ligaments in his left knee.
Ulanov tore the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments
in the knee when he collided with defense partner Peter Popovic during
Wednesday's game against Boston. Ulanov was acquired along with forwards
Patrick Poulin and Mick Vukota from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 15
for defenseman David Wilkie, center Darcy Tucker and right wing Stephane
Richer on Jan. 15.