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‘Canes ice-time leader Faulk (knee) out 2-4 weeks

Justin Faulk

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Justin Faulk (28) plays agains the Washington Capitals in the first period of an NHL hockey game in Washington, on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. The Hurricanes won 4-3 in overtime with a goal by Faulk. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

AP

The hard-luck Carolina Hurricanes can’t catch a break.

On Wednesday, the club announced it will be without the services of defenseman Justin Faulk -- possibly up to a month -- after he suffered a second-degree sprain of his MCL during Tuesday’s loss to Florida.

Faulk, who turned 21 today, was in the midst of a stellar campaign with the ‘Canes.

The club’s second-round pick (37th overall) at the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, he leads the team in average time on ice per game (23:23) and is one point behind Joe Corvo -- also currently out with an injury -- for the scoring lead among defensemen.

The injury occurred after Faulk got bumped by Panthers forward Jack Skille behind the Carolina goal.

Oddly enough, that pair was involved in another massive injury blow for Carolina this season -- back on Mar. 3, Faulk and Skille tumbled into starting netminder Cam Ward, who suffered a third-degree MCL sprain that could keep him out for the remainder of the regular season.

Of note, ‘Canes GM Jim Rutherford said Faulk will not require surgery.