In the 3rd period of the Jets game in Dallas on Thursday night winger Gabriel Vilardi sat on the bench in the final frame, took a skate during a commercial break but was held out of the action as he was clearly dealing with something.
When he didn’t skate on Friday in Texas head coach Rick Bowness was asked for an update and he said, in part, “Well we’re hoping that he’s going to play tomorrow. We’ll see.” and called him a game-time decision.
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
Since it was an 11:30 AM CST start time there was no morning skate and Gabriel Vilardi wasn’t in the lineup when puck dropped between Winnipeg and Carolina. Following an impressive 3rd period comeback Rick Bowness was asked for an update and indicated:
“He’s not with us. We sent him back to be re-evaluated. He’s in Winnipeg.”
Asked if it was his back by Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press the veteran coach wouldn’t bite simply saying it was an upper-body injury. He also asked if it occurred in the game against the Stars:
“It’s been bugging him for a couple of days. Best to give him the time off.”
Tough news for the club who finally got healthy. We shall have to see what the assessment is when the team returns to Manitoba.
