 Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf collides with Peter Regin of the Senators during a Nov. 2, 2010 game that saw Phaneuf gashed by Regin's skate blade much in the same manner as Ottawa's Erik Karlsson was cut by Pens pest Matt Cooke's skate Wednesday. (REUTERS) |
RALEIGH - When Matt Cooke’s skate sliced through the skin of Ottawa Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson’s leg on Wednesday night, terrible memories came rushing back for Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf.
Memories of that scary night of Nov. 2, 2010, when the blade of Sens forward Peter Regin gashed the flesh behind Phaneuf’s left knee.
Memories of being helped off the Air Canada Centre ice surface, wondering if any permanent damage to the leg had been inflicted.
Memories of the almost three hours spent lying on a table in a hospital room as doctors attempted to surgically repair the damage and seal the wound.
Memories of the ugly five-inch scar running down the inside of his knee in the days after the operation, a physical reminder of the incident.
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