Fernandez reaggravates injury, won't start tonight

Last update: January 31, 2007 - 9:32 PM

DENVER - Wild coach Jacques Lemaire said Manny Fernandez will not start tonight against the Colorado Avalanche because the Wild goalie reaggravated his knee injury Tuesday in St. Louis.

A minute into the third period, Fernandez made a left pad save on Doug Weight's backhander. Fernandez pulled himself behind the net in visible discomfort but remained in the game, which the Wild won 5-2 behind Fernandez's 29 saves.

Fernandez originally sprained his left MCL Jan. 20 and missed one game.

"I don't know exactly what I have," a limping Fernandez said after sitting out Wednesday's practice. "We're still in the process of finding out. We knew it was going to be tweaked and re-tweaked and I was going to have work through that."

Asked if he needs to take time off, Fernandez said: "It's a tough call. ... It's definitely a part [of the knee] for a goalie that's crucial."

Assistant GM Tom Lynn said Fernandez is questionable for tonight, but Lemaire said Niklas Backstrom would start. Josh Harding was recalled from the Houston Aeros as a precaution, Lynn said.

• Center Todd White, who has missed five games because of a leg injury, has been cleared by doctors to begin practicing.

MICHAEL RUSSO