TORONTO — Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks left the game against the San Jose Sharkson Thursday midway through the first period with a lower-body injury and did not return.
Sparks went to the bench and down the tunnel to the locker room at 11:32, after Patrick Marleauscored San Jose’s second power-play goal to give the Sharks a 2-0 lead. He stopped 13 of 15 shots before being replaced by Jonathan Bernier.
Coach Mike Babcock confirmed after the 5-4 overtime loss that Sparks will be out long-term.
Sparks was making his fifth start of the season after being called up from the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. He is 3-1-0 with the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs have been without James Reimer, who’s sidelined with a groin injury.
The Maple Leafs also lost forward Nick Spaling, who sustained what the team called an upper-body injury 24 seconds into the game and did not return. Babcock said Spaling will also be out long-term.
Source: nhl.com
