BUFFALO, N.Y. — Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen is out indefinitely after having surgery Sunday to repair a fractured bone in his face.
Numminen was struck in the face Saturday by a shot from Carolina defenseman Tom Gleason in the second period. The shot appeared to be deflected. Numminen fell to the ice with both hands covering his face. He was able to skate off the ice under his own power.
He played eight more shifts, but didn’t return for the third period.
Numminen, 40, had played in all 45 games this season after missing all but one last year following heart surgery. He scored his second goal of the season Saturday against the Hurricanes before getting hurt. The two tallies lead all Buffalo defensemen.
Numminen is the second Sabres defenseman in five days to be sidelined for an extended period. Andrej Sekera suffered an ankle injury Wednesday against Chicago and is out at least two weeks.
Polak sidelined.
Blues defenseman Roman Polak fractured his right foot Saturday and will be out indefinitely.
The Associated Press
