Dec 17, 2015
Leafs G Sparks, F Spaling out long-term
Goaltender Garret Sparks and forward Nick Spaling could be out for some time after injuries suffered in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-4 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. Sparks left the game with a lower-body injury and Spaling an upper-body injury in the first period Thursday night.
The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Goaltender Garret Sparks and forward Nick Spaling could be out for some time after injuries suffered in the Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-4 overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Sparks left the game with a lower-body injury and Spaling an upper-body injury in the first period Thursday night.
When asked if the players were day-to-day, Babcock replied that it "doesn't look like it to me."
"It looks like they're long term," Babcock said.
Sparks was making his fifth start of the season and his NHL career in a significant decision by Babcock to give him the nod over the struggling Jonathan Bernier.
The 22-year-old stopped 13 of the first 15 shots he faced against San Jose and exited after giving up a power-play goal to Patrick Marleau.
Bernier replaced Sparks 11:32 into the first period and allowed three goals on 27 shots.
Toronto is already without James Reimer, who has missed seven of the past eight games with a groin injury. The team could call up Antoine Bibeau for its next game Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings.
Spaling suffered his injury off a faceoff in the game's first minute and never returned.
"It's always tough when you go down a couple guys, but we had guys step up and play some extra time on the ice," forward Michael Grabner said.