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Norway loses its only NHL player, Zuccarello, to hand injury

Sochi Olympics Ice Hockey Men

Norway forward Per-Age Skroder (19) celebrates with forward Mats Zuccarello and Norway forward Patrick Thoresen after scoring a goal in the second period of a men’s ice hockey game at the 2014 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 16, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Julio Cortez

If the Norwegians end up pulling off a miracle win against Russia in today’s qualification round match, they will have to do it without a single NHL player on their lineup.

That’s because New York Rangers forward Mats Zuccarello has suffered a hand injury and will consequently not be available for the contest, according to Puck Daddy and TSN’s Dmitry Chesnokov. Zuccarello had struggled thus far with no points and a minus-two rating in three contests, but he remained Norway’s best hope when it came to challenging the Russians offensively.

It is not clear how serious Zuccarello’s hand injury is, but if he’s not available when the Olympic break is over, it will be a significant blow to the Rangers in their efforts to make the playoffs. Although he hasn’t had a good tournament, he’s been very effective with the Rangers this season, scoring 15 goals and 43 points in 58 games.

The winner of Norway versus Russia will play Finland in the quarterfinals.

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