Edmonton Oilers goaltender Jack Campbell’s tough season got even tougher Monday night.
While sitting on the bench backing up Stuart Skinner in the Oilers’ 5-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils, Campbell got hit in the face by a deflected puck. Oilers teammate Dylan Holloway tried to dump a puck into the offensive zone, but Devils defenceman Dougie Hamilton tried to bat it down, but it changed direction and clipped Campbell.
Campbell got a towel from the training staff right away and appeared to be holding his face just under his left eye. The Oilers had an emergency backup, George Blinik, ready to go, but he wasn’t needed.
jack campbell gets clipped with a puck in the eye area while sitting on the bench. pic.twitter.com/cnxibs7QG9
— zach (@zjlaing) November 22, 2022
Meet George Blinik who is the emergency goalie for @EdmontonOilers after Jack Campbell took a puck in the nose. Blinik is 27 years old, played div 3 hockey and would wear 40 if necessary.. pic.twitter.com/JINyac2QQL
— Gene Principe (@GenePrincipe) November 22, 2022
Oilers coach Jay Woodcroft had no update on goaltender Jack Campbell, who was hit in the face with a errant puck while sitting on the bench.
However, goalie partner Stuart Skinner said Campbell had a bloody nose but was joking around with him. He said Campbell is OK.
— Daniel Nugent-Bowman (@DNBsports) November 22, 2022
After the game, Oilers head coach Jay Woodcroft had no updates on Campbell’s condition. Teammate Stuart Skinner, however, said Campbell had a bloody nose and was joking around with him. Skinner said that he was okay.
Since signing his five-year, $5-million AAV deal things have been rough for Campbell. Despite starting the year 6-4, he’s posted a .873 save percentage, 4.27 GAA while allowing 10 goals more than expected.
He’s bound to find his game at some point, but in the meantime, the team seems to trust in Skinner.
Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
