Jack Campbell, the veteran goalie for the Edmonton Oilers, has had yet another setback in an already difficult season. His play was beginning to show signs of improvement now that he was with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors, and he appeared to be a viable alternative for the Oilers should the team need to call him up for the playoffs. However, Campbell hurt himself early this weekend, and it’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined.
A few days earlier, Mark Spector of Sportsnet revealed that Campbell was blasted off the mask during Friday’s morning skate. The Condors turned to Scott Hay as a last-minute substitute since he was unable to play. Hay is in charge of the team’s training rink. Hay is 48 years old.
The Condors have also called up Ryan Fanti in lieu of Campbell. To accompany the club on a four-game road tour, Fanti is traveling from the Fort Wayne Komets. The Condors are hoping that Campbell heals swiftly and that Olivier Rodrigue can handle the majority of the starts.
Since being sent down by the Oilers, Campbell has appeared in 29 games for the Condors. His stats include a 16-12-0 record, three shutouts, a 2.58 GAA, and a.920 SV%. If his injury is severe, it might be a problem if Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard struggles in the last twelve games of the regular season and the Oilers have a poor postseason run. In Saturday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Skinner was taken off the field. Pickard gave up four goals on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators. Both games were lost by the Oilers.
Already, Campbell’s season has not been easy. An injury can only heighten his and the organization’s dissatisfaction, I’m sure.
