The hopes of two hockey teams took serious hits Monday with the news that Los Angeles Kings and Team Europe right wing Marian Gaborik suffered an injury to his right foot and is expected to be sidelined for eight weeks.
The immediate impact is that the Slovak forward will be out for the best-of-three World Cup of Hockey final, which will match Europe against favorite Team Canada starting Tuesday in Toronto. Team Europe, which deployed Gaborik on its second line with Frans Nielsen and Mats Zuccarello, faced a huge disadvantage because of Canada's formidable depth and now must slay hockey's Goliath without Gaborik, who shared the team goal-scoring lead with two.
The long-term impact is that the Kings, who were counting on Gaborik to rebound from a 12-goal performance in 54 games last season, will have to find other ways to boost their offense when the NHL season begins on Oct. 12.
Team Europe General Manager Miroslav Satan said Gaborik "took the puck to his foot" Sunday during the team's 3-2 overtime semifinal victory over Sweden but continued to play. The former Wild star underwent tests Monday in Toronto, and the injury was diagnosed.
iditarod
Mackey won't race
Organizers of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race say four-time champion and cancer survivor Lance Mackey dropped out of next year's nearly 1,000-mile race because of health reasons.
Mackey could not immediately be reached for comment. He started last year's race, but later scratched because of health concerns.
Mackey was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2001.
around the horn
College basketball: This year's Puerto Rico Tipoff will move to Orlando due to concerns about Zika virus on the island.
