It’s easy to forget about the toll back-to-back games can take until a guy faces a pretty brutal 48 hours. That’s probably a fair assessment regarding what Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson dealt with on Thursday and Friday.
The ugliest moment came tonight, when he was bloodied by the skate of Anaheim Ducks forward Ryan Kesler in an unfortunate accident:
That moment came pretty late in Friday’s 4-1 win for Anaheim, so full details regarding Atkinson’s condition aren’t clear yet. The good news is that he didn’t suffer major damage to his eyes, as the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline reports.
Told #CBJ Cam Atkinson did not sustain any damage to right eye. Cut was below eye.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 25, 2014
Todd Richards on Cam Atkinson: "He's not as pretty as he once was, but he's in good spirits." Said no apparent serious concern right now.
— Rob Mixer (@RobMixer) October 25, 2014
#CBJ Cam Atkinson: "I can see. Thank God, I can see." Skate cut across his right eye lid, worst of the damage coming down thru his cheek.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 25, 2014
While he avoided the worst-case scenario, it’s been a tough run for the 25-year-old, as Portzline noted a possible shoulder/arm issue from Columbus’ comeback win against San Jose on Thursday:
Atkinson goes off in pain after a run-in with Desjardins. Right arm or shoulder. Still on bench.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) October 24, 2014
We’ll see if Atkinson can bounce back fast enough to play in Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings. (Hey, as this really gross image can attest, the Blue Jackets are willing to fight through pain.)
The Ducks are now on a seven-game winning streak thanks to tonight’s victory.