TAMPA – Slovakian hockey defenseman Erik Černák returned to the ice after being injured in the weekend’s overseas NHL match.
On Monday, he skated with the Tampa Bay Lightning before the home game against Utah. His inclusion in the lineup was to be decided shortly before the match (1:00 a.m. CET).
Černak, who should be among the leaders of the Slovak defense at the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, did not finish the match against Tampa Bay on the ice of Columbus (5:8) on Sunday night.
At the end of the first period, he was attacked hard by Mathieu Olivier behind the Lightning goal, the Slovakian back hit the goalpost with his face and remained lying on the ice. He headed to the locker room on his own, but did not return to the match. He played less than five minutes and there was no further information on his health.
Overseas journalist Eduardo A. Encina from the Tampa Bay Times reported on Monday that Černak appeared with his teammates at the pre-game warm-up. Forward Gage Goncalves, who also missed the weekend match due to injury, was also on it. The coach has to decide on the possible start of both against Utah later.
