ADLER, Russia Finland coach Erkka Westerlund expects Teemu Selanne to play against Norway Friday despite suffering an apparent neck injury in the Finn's Olympic opening 8-4 victory against Austria Thursday.
Although Selanne, 43, left the game with three minutes remaining in the first period, Westerlund described the injury as a "small upper body injury, not serious."
Selanne's teammates also expect the Ducks superstar to play Friday.
"We were told that he will be ready," added Aleksander Barkov, Selanne's linemate.
"He's a warrior," forward Jussi Jokinen said of Selanne. "I think he'll be back for us."
Even with his abbreviated appearance, it was another record breaking afternoon on Olympic ice for Selanne. With his first shift he joined countryman Raimo Helminen as the only men to play in six Olympic tournaments. Then 5:15 into the first period, Selanne extended his Olympic scoring record with an assist on a Mikael Granlund goal that tied the game 1-1. Selanne now has 38 points in Olympic play.
Before the game, the Finnish staff expected to limit Selanne's playing time against Austria given the level of their opening opponent and the demands of the Olympic tournament's schedule.
"He's an old man so he needs some rest, more, than other guys," Finn forward Petri Kontiola joked.
Also in the game, Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen had three assists for Finland.
2 Bonus points to Lacey Gaitan (Bulgaria) |
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