After missing 17 games with a lower-body injury suffered in mid-December, Mikhail Sergachev’s return to the ice was short-lived.
Sergachev was stretchered off the ice after appearing to injure his left ankle following a reverse hit from Alexis Lafreniere. No update was provided following the game, but it’s clear it’s unlikely to be a short-term absence.
Sergachev took to social media early Thursday morning, sharing his disappointment in the situation.
“Oh man, why me? Why now? After all the games missed, coming back and getting injured again, feels unfair, feels terrible,” Sergachev wrote on Instagram. “Trying to stay calm and positive, but it’s impossible. After doing everything right I get this.
“The universe is unpredictable I guess, and has its own plans, but (explicit) the universe man, I know I’ll come back stronger and I know I’ll play better than before, but it’s tough right now, and it’s gonna be tough tomorrow.
“We all fight our own battles and this is mine. I’ll win, always do. Pain meds are good tho, if I was in the forest by myself I’d be dead, crazy innit?! Wanted to write how I feel here, don’t know why, but just wanted to let people that care about me know! I appreciate all of your messages. Thanks to the medical staff.”
After the game, Steven Stamkos talked to the media, saying it makes “you feel stick to your stomach.”
“Sergy’s put in a lot of time and effort to come back from his original injury,” the Lightning captain said. “To see something pretty traumatic like that happen, from someone who’s been through that, it’s tough to watch.”
Sergachev, 25, has 19 points in 34 games in what’s been a season heavily impacted by injuries. He’s coming off a career-best season of 10 goals and 64 points in 79 games last year. The Russian blueliner is in the first year of an eight-year pact worth $8.5 million per season, showing how valuable he is to the club.
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