Brad McLeod
According to Kootenay Ice head coach Luke Pierce, rookie forward Kaeden Taphorn will not play with the team for at least a week after suffering an upper-body injury during Friday’s game against the Regina Pats.
Pats left winger Austin Wagner delivered a hit to the head from behind midway through the first period that sent Taphorn face first into the boards. Taphorn managed to get up on his own and make his way to the Ice dressing room but was bleeding significantly upon his departure.
“Kaeden is definitely sore, [he has] a pretty significant gash on his forehead [and] I think he took close to 30 stitches,” Pierce said on Sunday afternoon. “His face continues to swell and he’s definitely feeling it.”
Taphorn was not in the Ice lineup against the Moose Jaw Warriors on Saturday, and will once again be a scratch on Monday for their game against the Swift Current Broncos. Wagner was assessed a game misconduct for checking-from-behind and missed the Pats game against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Saturday as he awaits the announcement of a suspension from the league.
“I didn’t like the hit at all, it’s the type of play that we’re really trying to eliminate from the game and there’s absolutely no need for it,” Pierce said of the incident. “[Taphorn]’s a tough kid, though… [it’s] so unfortunate for him [because] he’s been playing so well and hopefully he can pick up right where he left off [when he returns to the lineup].”
The Ice ended up winning Friday’s game against the Pats on an overtime goal from his twin brother Keenan, but the team lost 6-2 to the Warriors, in his absence, last night.
Kaeden Taphorn has a goal and an assist and is a +2, in five games with the Ice this season.