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Devils’ Brunner needs help off ice, won’t return

brunnergetty

James OBrien

New Jersey Devils forward Damien Brunner needed help off the ice and couldn’t put weight on his right leg after a knee-to-knee collision with Anaheim Ducks defenseman Mark Fistric, according to various reporters including the Bergen Record’s Tom Gulitti.

Update: the Devils announced that he won’t return thanks to a lower-body injury.

Details are a little sketchy, but Gulitti describes the incident as their two knees colliding, which might indicate that this is accidental (and not of the controversial variety). Fistric didn’t receive a penalty on the play, for one thing.

(Video will be added if/when it’s available, which should give a better clue as to the incident.)

It would be a shame regardless of context, but this potential loss stings more because Brunner, 27, seemed to be coming into his own for New Jersey. Five of his 13 points came during a four-game stretch heading into Friday’s game against the Ducks.

For what it’s worth, Fistric, 27, does have one suspension on his record. He sat three games back in Dec. 2011, according to the Hockey News’ records.

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins