After being the saving force in Game Three of the Hershey Bears second-round series against the Providence Bruins, Bears goaltender Pheonix Copley suffered a lower-body injury during Game Four.
With less than a minute left in the second period, the Providence Bruins caused a scramble in front of the Bears’ net. Copley slid across the crease to make a save but immediately tumbled to the ground in pain, rolling several feet forward in front of the net. Copley instantly threw off his mask and blocker, which can be seen flying through the air in video below.
Video
#HERvsPRO pic.twitter.com/6Hz6diKCDz
— Providence Bruins (@AHLBruins) May 13, 2017
The Providence Bruins capitalized on Copley’s inability to stay in the net due to his pain, as Chris Porter slapped the puck in on the rebound putting the Bruins up 2-1 in what would ultimately be the GWG. Copley left the game with 41 seconds left in the second period and was replaced by Vitek Vanecek, who finished the game with nine saves.
Copley needs assistance getting off the ice. Favoring right leg. Vitek Vanecek comes into to replace him
— Chocolate Hockey (@ChocHockey) May 13, 2017
Bears head coach Troy Mann spoke about Copley’s injury after the game.
“I’m not real sure on the injury right now,” Mann said. “It obviously looks like some sort of lower body. I’m not sure if it’s his knee or his groin yet, and frankly I just think he came across and made a heck of a save there. Something happened when he came east west there on the save. It certainly was a turning point there for us.”
Copley has been instrumental in the Bears’ recent success, with a .933 save percentage and a goals against average of 2.13. It is unclear if he will be able to play in Game Five on Sunday.
Headline photo: Kyle Mace/Chocolate Hockey
