Kyle Wellwood Breaks Toe!

It’s been a frustrating start for the Vancouver Canucks who finally caught a break last weekend when they learned that veteran forward Kyle Wellwood wouldn’t have to go on the disabled list. Vancouver who broke camp with Stanley Cup aspirations have been mediocre at best so far in posting a 6-5 record. A major reason for stumbling out of the gates is due to injuries as the Canucks have lost high scoring regulars such as Daniel Sedin (foot) and Pavol Demitra.(shoulder) Also on the very lengthy disabled list is versitile defenseman Sami Salo (knee) who is a boost to the power play. On Sunday morning a day after beating the slumping Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1, Canucks management were breathing a sigh of relief as they learned that the speedy Wellwood wouldn’t be out for a long period of time after fracturing a toe while bravely blocking a shot. Showing a high pain threshhold Wellwood who has struggled with only one assist in 10 games this year completed the game before noticing the extent of the injury. “Once I took my skate off it started swelling,” Wellwood who was injured in the third period said. “It’s just a matter of when they can fit it into a skate and put more pressure on it, so right now I am just day to day.” Vancouver who at one point had six regulars on the injured reserve list got some more good news on Sunday as veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider has been cleared to play after undergoing extensive off season shoulder surgery.