Chris Stewart breaks hand in fight
Colorado Avalanche forward Chris Stewart may think twice about dropping his gloves in the future after suffering a broken left hand in a fight during Saturday's game against the Minnesota
Wild. Stewart got into a fight with the Wild's Kyle Brodziak during the second period.
The two traded several punches including many by Stewart that hit Brodziak’s helmet. It appeared Stewart hurt his hand during the tilt and as a result, he left the game and did not return.
After the game, it was reported that Stewart did in fact injure his hand during the fight and that he will be out of the Avalanche lineup indefinitely, thwarting what was a strong start to the season for the young winger. For his part, Brodziak was not injured
in the fight and scored two goals. The Avalanche went on to win the game 7-4.
The 23-year-old Stewart, who enjoyed a breakout campaign last year with 64 points in 77 games, had 25 points in 23 games this season and was among the league leaders in points and goals.
Stewart was also ranked sixth in the National Hockey League with five power play goals and was trailing only Milan Hejduk in team scoring.
It is a huge blow for the Avalanche who are in a fight with the Vancouver Canucks for first place in the Northwest division with both teams having 27 points. It is a loss that Avalanche
coach Joe Sacco said was unfortunate, but is now looking for other players to step it up.
"Hockey is a game of emotion and things happen during the course of a game," Sacco said. "Of course, you wish it didn't happen. You never want to lose any player. And Chris is a big part
of this team. But we'll deal with injuries as they come. Somebody else will have to step up."
Stewart was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in the first round at the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and was the 18th player selected overall. Through 153 career games, the Toronto
native has 50 goals and 58 assists for 108 points.
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