Canucks defenceman Sami Salo takes ice for practice despite groin injury
Injured Vancouver defenceman Sami Salo was seen but not heard at the Canucks' pre-game skate Tuesday.
He took the ice for a portion of the practice prior to Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Chicago Blackhawks.
But the Finnish blue-liner left early and disappeared from the dressing room before reporters were allowed in. There was no official word on whether he would suit up for the game.
Canucks coach Alain Vigneault said Salo is "still day-to-day" but declined to offer more details.
Salo was hit in the groin area by a deflected slapshot in Game 5 on Sunday and was taken to hospital.
The Canucks trail the Blackhawks 3-2 in the best-of-seven series.
Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa said Salo's presence on the ice showed just how much he wants to play through pain.
"He's had a lot of injuries and he's taken a lot of flak for it, but he's played through so many injuries that guys don't know about," said Bieksa. "It's not like he gets an injury and the next day he's out. He's been playing through stuff his whole career."
Bieksa rated Salo and Vancouver centre Ryan Johnson, who kept playing despite broken bones in each feet this season, as two of the toughest players that he has skated alongside.
"I think (Salo's presence at the morning skate shows) toughness and, obviously, Ryan Johnson has played half a year with two broken feet," said Bieksa. "You see the poor guy hopping around on crutches many times around town here. So he's definitely a warrior."
Meanwhile, Salo's injury could open the door for journeyman blue-liner Lawrence Nycholat to play his first NHL post-season game since turning pro with the Jackson Bandits of the ECHL in 2000-01.
Nycholat, a 31-year-old Calgary native who has only played 50 NHL regular-season games while spending most of his career in the minors, was with the Ottawa Senators when they went to the Stanley Cup final in 2007, but did not see any action.
"Obviously, it's very exciting for me," said Nycholat. "I've just had to fight I don't know how many times and never get into the playoffs."
Note: Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo gave reporters the silent treatment again as he declined to answer questions following the morning skate. Luongo adopted the policy prior to Sunday's victory in Game 6 in Chicago, where he was sharp ... Chicago coach Joel Quenneville confirmed one lineup change but declined to reveal it before game time.
