Fractured right foot to cost Kariya 2 weeks

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Left wing Paul Kariya, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks’ captain and leading scorer, will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of a cracked bone in his right foot, taking the team from one traumatic moment to another.

Kariya, who has 12 goals and a team-high 31 points, was injured blocking a shot by the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Pavel Kubina in the second period Sunday and immediately dropped to the ice. He hobbled to the bench, but played 19 minutes. A CT scan Monday revealed he had suffered a fractured right foot for the third time in less than two years.

“From what the trainers tell me, this one is in a better place,” General Manager Pierre Gauthier said. “It should heal quicker. But these things are totally unpredictable.”

Duck officials said this fracture was “less severe” than the one he suffered last season. But, then, they didn’t even admit Kariya had a broken foot last season. He sat out seven games because of what was called a “bruised right ankle.” After the season, team officials admitted the truth.

Kariya also suffered a broken right foot in Game 3 of a 1999 Stanley Cup playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings. All three injuries resulted from shot blocks. Kariya was outfitted with a walking cast Monday, and will be able to do some fitness workouts. Gauthier said that Kariya could begin skating again in seven to 10 days.