Chara gives thumbs up
Defenceman says he'll probably play despite hand injury
By MIKE ZEISBERGER -- Toronto Sun
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Slovakian defenceman Zdeno Chara changes into his warm-up jersey after a team photo was taken before practice yesterday. Chara injured his thumb against Russia on Sunday, but he says he should be able to play tomorrow against Canada. (Toronto Sun/Greg Henkenhaf) |
Zdeno Chara's right thumb was heavily taped yesterday, but it will take more than a painful boo boo to keep him out of action.
Besides, it's his pride that hurts the most these days.
Chara, who injured himself late in the second period of Slovakia's 5-2 loss to Russia on Sunday, feels there is a good chance he'll be able to suck up the pain and face Team Canada tomorrow night at the Air Canada Centre.
"Lots of guys are banged up in here, but we already have enough guys out of the lineup with injuries," Chara said, referring to a list that includes Michal Handzus, Peter Bondra and Ziggy Palffy. "If you can go, you have to endure the pain and be out there. We already have enough players who can't play.
REGAIN DIGNITY
"(The thumb) should be all right. It's a day-to-day process right now. Hopefully, I'll be in there."
Chara and his teammates are looking to regain some dignity when they face Canada.
With the loser forced to pack up and go home in the one-game, winner-take-all quarter-final, the giant Slovak wants to make amends for the awful 5-1 loss to Canada in preliminary round action six days ago in Montreal.
Chara may have been a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenceman last season, but he struggled horribly in his own end against Canada's hard-charging forecheckers.
The evening got off on an ominous note when he was stripped of the puck from behind by Joe Thornton, who then ripped a shot into the Slovak net to open the scoring.
It was, as they say, one of those nights.
"On the Thornton goal, I had just blocked a shot. The puck was at my feet and I didn't see Thornton behind me," Chara said. "I guess it's a play where you can say it was my fault, but it was a flukey play."
