“Didn’t know what happened” – Avalanche’s Darcy Kuemper all set for Game 1 of Second Round against Blues


“Didn’t know what happened” – Avalanche’s Darcy Kuemper all set for Game 1 of Second Round against Blues

Darcy Kuemper

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper in the National Hockey League (NHL) has said that he has no concerns about the injury to his right eye. The Saskatoon native is expected to be fit and available for Game 1 of the Western Conference Second Round Playoffs series against the St. Louis Blues.

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Kuemper, who sustained an injury when the Nashville Predators forward Ryan Johansen stuck the blade of his stick inside the eye hole of the 32-year-old’s mask and contacted the right eye, hasn’t played since May 7. The experienced goalie had recently spoken in public for the first time since the injury in Game 3 of Colorado’s first-round sweep of the Predators.

“I didn’t know what happened until I watched it,” the goalie said after practice at Ball Arena, as quoted by NHL.com. “It happened so quickly. Obviously, pretty scary when your eyes are involved but, you know, I got pretty lucky that it wasn’t worse. I think it’s just bad luck.”

“Not knowing what happened is scary”

Darcy Kuemper
Darcy Kuemper

Darcy Kuemper reckoned he has had no chance to speak with Johansen, but he believes it was nothing more than the wrong place at the wrong time. However, he went on to mention that he’s now ready to move forward and get ready for the best-of-seven series against the Blues.

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“I mean probably shocked and the unknown,” he said of his thoughts in the moments after the incident. “I guess you could call that fear. Just not knowing what happened and what the damage is; that’s scary.”

“We’re biting at the [bit] to get back playing,” Kuemper said. “Playoffs are the [most fun] time of the year to be playing, especially playing in front of the crowd here that was so pumped in the first round that we are really looking forward to getting started again.”

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