Baldinelli slated for surgery
Fort Erie Meteors forward Jayden Baldinelli is scheduled to undergo surgery Tuesday following a scary incident in a game in Pelham Sunday.
According to Fort Erie Meteors general manager/coach Nik Passero, the 20-year-old Niagara Falls native went to take a shot and was nudged from behind, slid into the boards and broke his leg.
He is expected to be sidelined indefinitely.
“The linesmen told me they were calling the medics and as soon as I went on the ice I could see he was in pain,” Passero said. “As soon as I got to him I knew it was serious.”
The game was held up for several minutes while Balidnelli was cared for by medics on the ice and then taken by ambulance to hospital in St. Catharines.
“Trevor (Klowek) our trainer was awesome,” Passero said.
The incident occurred with 1:36 remaining in the third period and the Meteors trailing the Pelham Panthers 3-2.
Once play resumed the Meteors tied the game, then won it in overtime.
“The way the guys answered the bell with a minute left, I’m not one bit surprised,” Passero said. “We have high character in the locker room and I know how they feel about Jayden. When I walked back in the arena and saw it was already tied up I was not surprised.”
Passero said Baldinelli, who is in his final season of junior eligibility, will be missed both on and off the ice.
“He’s a true leader for our team and there’s no one in the world who loves hockey as much as that kid,” Passero said. “Losing him for an extended time is tough for our group. We’re going to miss him around the rink and we know he is going to miss being there.”
The team is slated to Face Time with Baldinelli at practice Monday and plan to visit him in person later this week.
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