Broken foot will sideline NHL standout until March

0 Comments | AFP, January, 2008

DENVER, Colorado (AFP) — Ryan Smyth, who has 11 goals and 17 assists in 36 games this season for the Colorado Avalanche, will miss the next eight weeks of the National Hockey League season with a broken right ankle.

The Avalanche announced Thursday that the 31-year-old Canadian would be sidelined until March from an injury suffered in over-time Monday during Colorado's 4-3 shootout loss at Phoenix.

A preliminary analysis indicated an ankle sprain and Smyth sat out of a 5-2 loss to Phoenix on Wednesday.

"The fracture was discovered following additional medical tests which included an MRI exam," Avalanche trainer Matthew Sokolowski said. "We expect him to make a full recovery."

At 21-16 with three regulation draws, the Avalanche share seventh place in...