As the Vancouver Canucks continue to fight for their playoffs lives, the team learned Thursday they could be without all-star goaltender Roberto Luongo - not because of injury, not because of rest, but because his wife was giving birth to their first child.
The Canucks, who are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, have known for a while that Luongo might have to leave during the season to be with his wife, Gina, but it couldn’t come at a worse time.
Vancouver, losers of three straight games, are barely hanging onto a post-season berth with 86 points, just two points ahead of ninth-place Nashville and three ahead of the No. 10 Edmonton Oilers, with five games left in the regular season.
Luongo flew to South Florida on Thursday morning to be with his wife, Gina, who gave birth to a baby girl later that night.
Fortunately for the Canucks, Luongo, who has played 68 of the team's games this season, will return for Friday night’s crucial inter-division contest against the Minnesota Wild.
While his team supported his decision, some people are questioning how Luongo could leave the Canucks while they are in the middle of a playoff race.
What do you think? Should athletes leave their teams for personal events such as Luongo’s? Should teams force their star players to stay and play?
More...
The Canucks, who are clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, have known for a while that Luongo might have to leave during the season to be with his wife, Gina, but it couldn’t come at a worse time.
Vancouver, losers of three straight games, are barely hanging onto a post-season berth with 86 points, just two points ahead of ninth-place Nashville and three ahead of the No. 10 Edmonton Oilers, with five games left in the regular season.
Luongo flew to South Florida on Thursday morning to be with his wife, Gina, who gave birth to a baby girl later that night.
Fortunately for the Canucks, Luongo, who has played 68 of the team's games this season, will return for Friday night’s crucial inter-division contest against the Minnesota Wild.
While his team supported his decision, some people are questioning how Luongo could leave the Canucks while they are in the middle of a playoff race.
What do you think? Should athletes leave their teams for personal events such as Luongo’s? Should teams force their star players to stay and play?
More...