Okay, so I think this is going to be my final post for the hockey season that is now over, and how painfully it ended. And there was more pain than the loss of the Cup in 7. (wait, just give me a moment...okay...I'll be okay...trying to stay strong...)
My final two sentences on the season are, "Nicklas Lindstrom suffered a nearly catastrophic testicle injury and came back to play! He, my friends, is the toughest man in the world."
Read it, wince, and bow to the toughest man in the world.
Lidstrom Had 'Nearly Catastrophic' Testicle Injury
It was a pretty big deal when Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom, for the first time in his NHL career, missed a playoff game in the Western Conference finals. The future Hall of Famer missed Games 4 and 5 against the Chicago Blackhawks (both Detroit wins) and, as it turns out, he had a pretty good -- and extremely painful -- excuse.
He was having his testicle operated on as a result of an injury suffered in Game 3.
The injury reportedly occurred when Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp speared him in the groin area during Chicago's 4-3 overtime win on May 22. Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press reports that Lidstrom called it the most painful injury he's ever had, while the 39-year-old continued: "I thought it was OK that Saturday when I practiced ... but Sunday, Sunday I was just in too much pain. I had surgery during that game."
It's kind of amazing that he only missed two games with the injury, especially since Damien Cox of the Toronto Star referred to it as a "nearly catastrophic injury to his testicle" back on June 5. Um. Ouch? Moral of the story: hockey players are intense -- and determined, and maybe even a little crazy.
It's always interesting to look at the injury reports that come out following the Stanley Cup playoffs, as we discover how the players mired in slumps were actually playing through a broken foot or a dislocated shoulder (or something equally painful). Though, this is the first time I can recall hearing about a nearly catastrophic testicle injury.
Lidstrom finished the postseason with four goals and 12 assists in 21 playoff games, while his shot as time expired in Game 7 was turned aside by Pittsburgh goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Lidstrom is a finalist for the Norris Trophy (again), while he's taken home the award as the NHL's best defenseman six times, including three years in a row.
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