Avs lose Smyth up to eight weeks

TSN.ca Staff

1/3/2008 4:22:33 PM

The Colorado Avalanche announced Thursday that Ryan Smyth will be out eight weeks with a fractured ankle.

Smyth suffered the injury in the overtime period of Colorado's 4-3 shootout loss in Phoenix on December 31.

The preliminary diagnosis was a sprain, and Smyth sat out Colorado's 5-2 loss to the Coyotes on Wednesday night.

The Avalanche said in a press release Thursday that further medical evaluation on Smyth's injured right ankle revealed a fracture and that he would be out approximately eight weeks.

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


It's the second big loss for the Avalanche this season. The team has already been playing without captain Joe Sakic, who underwent successful hernia surgery last week and is expected to be out two to three months.

Smyth has 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points in 36 games this season.