Carolina Hurricanes forward Sergei Samsonov lies on the ice as Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Dustin Byfuglien skates nearby during the third period of a preseason NHL hockey game Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010, in Atlanta. Samsonov slid head irst into the wall and had to be carted off the ice in the game which Carolina won 1-0. (AP Photo/John Amis)
AP
Carolina Hurricane’s forward Sergei Samsonov’s season is already off to a rough start. After taking a scary spill head-first into the boards the other night, he’ll be starting his season on injured reserve.
Making the timing even more difficult for Samsonov is the fact the Hurricanes will be starting the season off in Russia with an exhibition game against SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL. The Hurricanes open their regular season with a pair of games in Helsinki, Finland against the Minnesota Wild.
Getting to play at home in Russia once again would’ve been a great thing for Samsonov to do, but thanks to his neck injury he won’t get to do that.