Cross Alexander Burmistrov off the list of the Thrashers who have played in every game this season.
The rookie forward missed Sunday's game against Carolina with a cracked bone in his foot. Burmistrov was struck by a shot from teammate Zach Bogosian in the third period of Friday night's win over the New York Rangers. He played just two shifts over a minute and thirty-six seconds in the final period. The Thrashers announced the news in a one-sentence statement and did not offer a timetable for his return.
With Burmistrov out, the Thrashers recalled forward Spencer Machacek from AHL Chicago on Sunday. Machacek appeared in four games for the Thrashers in January without a point.
To make room for Machacek, the Thrashers placed defenseman Freddy Meyer on injured reserve. Meyer has not played in the past four games, since he lost consciousness at center ice in a game against Calgary Feb. 3. Meyer was hit by two Flames players and said following the game that he felt dizzy after the collisions. While trying to make it back to the bench he lost consciousness and woke up on the ice with trainers attending him.
Meyer's injury is described as an upper-body injury, but coach Craig Ramsay said before Sunday's game the team is concerned about a possible concussion.
“I think that’s something they are trying to be careful with and make sure that’s not it,” Ramsay said. “It was a strange situation with Freddy and we want to make sure everything is done correctly. You can’t take chances with anything like that. Freddy, when you talk to him, feels good but I don’t think he feels 100 percent. We are going to make sure he’s 100 percent.”
Ramsay said Meyer is not experiencing headaches, which would be signs of a concussion.
The Thrashers who have appeared in all 58 games this season are Ron Hainsey, Anthony Stewart, Chris Thorburn, Johnny Oduya, Dustin Byfuglien and Rich Peverley.
Rebound position
Ramsay said his team is getting closer to consistently being in proper position to convert rebounds into goals. The Thrashers had several opportunities in Friday night’s win over the Rangers.
“It’s far easy if you have that one person in front … and somebody is away from the net looking for rebounds,” Ramsay said. “We practice it every day. The first thing that happens is the first half-dozen shots with rebounds go right by our second man because he’s going to show you how hard he’s working and he skates by it. It’s important to know where they go. Get yourself in that position. Anybody can go stand in the goal crease but if you are the guy whose decided and figured out where the rebound is going and keep yourself back from the net, now you are ready to explode.”
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