Extent of Hecht's head injury unknown

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Sabres forward Jochen Hecht lost part of his right ear after being struck in the side of the head with a puck on Saturday night.

Hecht

"It's not a pretty sight,'' Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said after the Sabres rallied for a 4-3 victory over Washington. "Once we get him off the (trainer's) table, and I don't think he's off yet, we'll see how he feels.''

Hecht was hurt seven minutes into the third period after the Sabres won a faceoff deep in the Capitals zone. Hecht, who wears a protective visor, was tumbling to the ice after appearing to lose his balance, and was hit by teammate Brian Campbell's point shot.

Hecht, bleeding from his right ear, remained face-down for a number of minutes before he was helped off the ice with the assistance of teammates and trainer Jim Pizzutelli.

Ruff didn't know the extent of Hecht's injury or whether he sustained a concussion.

"The way he came off the ice, I would say he was definitely dazed,'' Ruff said. "Whether that means concussion or not, he did look like he was a little groggy.''

Acquired in a trade last June with Edmonton, Hecht has proven to be a valuable addition. He entered Saturday's game with five goals and 15 points, which ranked third on the team in scoring.

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UUUUUUIIIIIIII
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PAT LEBEAU EISHOCKEY GOTT!!!!
.....wie gesagt, ist mir scheiß egal wie sie gespielt haben, solange es nicht in der
Saison so ist!! Vorbereitung ist da um zu lernen, um auszuprobieren, etc., und nicht um zu glänzen!!

Beim 4:3-Heimerfolg der Buffalo Sabres gegen die Washington Capitals wurde der deutsche Eishockey-Nationalspieler 13 Minuten vor Spielende so unglücklich vom Puck getroffen, dass er ein Stück seines rechten Ohres verlor.

Der Ex-Mannheimer lag minutenlang benommen auf dem Eis und wurde schwer blutend in die Umkleidekabine getragen. «Es sah furchtbar aus und möglicherweise hat Jochen auch noch eine Gehirnerschütterung», berichtete Buffalos Headcoach Lindy Ruff.

Hecht to sit out at least one game
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Associated Press

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres forward Jochen Hecht is expected to miss at least one game after losing part of his right ear when he was hit by a puck.

Hecht is recovering from a mild concussion, and coach Lindy Ruff said the 25-year-old left wing might have to wear a plastic protector over his stitched-up ear when he returns.

Hecht, who wears a face-shield visor, sustained a jagged tear, losing the lower half of his earlobe. He also had a deep cut on the back of his head.

"They sewed what they could back on,'' Ruff said. "Obviously, it did not look good after the game. It's not pretty, but it looks like an ear now again.''

Hecht was hurt in last weekend's 4-3 win over Washington. He missed Monday's practice and is not expected to play when the Sabres host Ottawa on Tuesday.

While tumbling to the ice in the third period, Hecht was struck by teammate Brian Campbell's shot. Hecht was assisted to the training room and spent about an hour getting treatment.

Ruff said Hecht did not lose his sense of humor.

"He said after the game that's the first time the defense has shot low all year,'' the coach said.

Acquired in a trade last June with Edmonton, Hecht has proved a valuable addition with five goals and 15 points in 24 games.

To replace Hecht, Buffalo called up forward Jason Botterill from the AHL. He leads Rochester with 14 goals and is tied for the team lead with 21 points.

Rhett Warrener, considered Buffalo's most dependable defenseman, will return to the lineup Tuesday after missing three games with a strained abdomen.

To make room, Buffalo sent defenseman Rory Fitzpatrick to Rochester. Fitzpatrick had one assist in six games.

Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, who has missed six games with a broken bone in his right foot, began skating lightly with the team and could return this weekend.

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"...you go the box you know, eh, two minutes by yourself, and you feel shame, you know, and then you get free."