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Bure inury darkens win
2nd October 1995
It started out as a character builder but turned out to be the scare of the season for the Vancouver Canucks.
In a 207-penalty-minute game that had developed into something out of the movie 'Slapshot', it appeared the Canuck superstar Pavel Bure had seriously injured his right arm during a melee with less than two minutes left in the game.
With nothing on the line in the Canucks final exhibition game, Bure retaliated to a high cross-check after the whistle from calgary Flames hit man Ron Stern. In the ensuing scrum, Bure threw a punch that hit Stern's helmet. The Russian Rocket had to be helped from the ice holding his right arm.
Fortunately, there was no fracture, just a dislocated index finger on Bure's right hand. "I just punched him and my finger suddenly felt very sore", said Bure, after coming out of the Canuck medical room. After he hit on Stern's helmet, he said the finger was bent in the wrong direction.
"I almost puked when I looked at it", he said. "I thought I was done for the rest of my life". Bure was examined by team doctor Ross Davidson right after leaving the ice.
"Ross put it back in place without anaesthetic", said fellow team doctor Doug Clement. "It was really sore. We should be able to tape it to the partner finger, but it'll be sore for a few days".
Bure saidhe will go for X-rays in the morning and is hopeful he can be ready for the regular season home opener on Monday against Detroit.
Asked if he thought it was a good idea being on the ice with almost no time left in such a goon-fest, Bure said: "being physical is part of the game of hockey. I don't mind playing it tough".
Canucks General Manager Pat Quinn, obviously wasn't pleased with the turn of events and loudly berated NHL game supervisor Jim Christison at the end of the game.
The final score was 4-1 for Vancouver, but clearly the story was the goon show that was precipitated by the knuckle-dragging lineup dressed by the Flames. It started early, with Dean Malkoc pummelling Jamie Huscroft. Then it was Alex Stojanov going with Todd Simpson in the second period. In the third, Simpson had to fend off Scott walker and even Russ Courtnall got into action, dropping his gloves with Trent Yawney. Later Malkoc fought Sandy McCarthy.
Alexander Mogilny, tervor Linden, Mike Ridley and Russ Courtnall scored for the Canucks.
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Canuck Diary
- Oct. 9 versus Detroit (5-3 Loss)
(Shots: Van 28; Det 45. Pavel- one assist)
- Oct.12 at Los Angeles (7-7 ot Tie)
(Shots: Van 46; LA 49. Pavel - 2 goals)
- Oct.14 at San Jose (7-6 Win)
(Shots: Van 30; SJ 35. Pavel - 1 goal)
- Oct.15 versus Los Angeles (3-3 Tie)
(Shots: Van 36; LA 22)
- Oct.18 at Anaheim (5-1 Win)
(Shots: Van 34; Ana 21)
- Oct.21 at Edmonton (6-4 Loss)
(Shots: Van 32; Edm 47. Pavel - 1 goal & 1 assist)
- Oct.24 at NY Rangers (5-2 Loss)
(Shots: Van 28; NYR 28)
- Oct.25 at New Jersey (4-2 Win)
(Shots: Van 21; NJ 33)
- Oct.28 versus Winnipeg (4-1 Loss)
(Shots: Van 36; Wpg 29)
- Oct.30 versus San Jose (4-3 Win)
(Shots: Van 32; SJ 36. Pavel - 1 assist)
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