Flames defenceman reveals he played through gruesome injury after big hit
Following their elimination in Game 5 of the series against the Edmonton Oilers, the Calgary Flames held their locker-clean out media availability this morning.
Typically at this time, teams and players will reveal what injuries their players endured through the playoffs - a showcase for how tough hockey players are, and how much they give to try to win the Stanley Cup.
Flames defenceman Nikita Zadorov revealed he played through three fractured ribs since the team's first round series against the Dallas Stars.
Despite the injury, Zadorov was one of the best defenceman for the Flames against Edmonton, where his physical presence was felt in the tightly contested, and sometimes hostile, Battle of Alberta.
Additionally, Flames defenceman Chris Tanev played through a torn labrum, sepearated shoulder, and sprained neck. With these two critical defenders injured, it made the effort to contain Connor McDavid that much more taxing, and potentially played into their loss more than we knew previously.
![Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532460.webp "Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada forward Sam Bennett (9) and Team United States forward Brady Tkachuk (7) fight in the first period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images")
![Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532257.webp "Feb 20, 2025; Boston, MA, USA; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Brady Tkachuk (7) celebrates scoring against Team Canada during the first period during the 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images")
![Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images](https://i.marqueur.com/habsetlnh/medium/532130.webp "Feb 12, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team Canada defenseman Josh Morrissey (44) looks on against Team Sweden in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images")
