Anaheim Ducks Goalie John Gibson Sidelined Six Weeks with Groin Injury
By Jason Byun
The injury hits keep coming for the Anaheim Ducks, as another player has been put on the Injured Reserve. This time, goaltender John Gibson joins the likes of Kyle Palmieri, Bryan Allen, Mark Fistric, and Ben Lovejoy. Gibson, who suffered an injury during warm-ups on Sunday, was diagnosed with a groin ailment that will sideline him for approximately six weeks.
Gibson had started four games for Anaheim this season, compiling a 2-2-0 record with a 2.28 GAA and .927 SV%. After allowing six goals on 39 shots in the season opener against Pittsburgh, Gibson did not play for any of the next six games for the Ducks. In that time, Gibson went back to the AHL and got some playing time before returning to action against the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he stopped 16 of 17 shots in a 4-1 Ducks victory. Gibson got the first two games of the Ducks’ most recent four game road trip, where he stopped all 38 shots in shutting out the Chicago Blackhawks and stopped 27 of 29 shots in a 2-0 defeat to the St. Louis Blues. In Colorado, Gibson was supposed to start, but suffered the injury, forcing Jason LaBarbera to start between the pipes against the Avalanche.
Gibson was the Ducks’ second round pick in 2011 (39th overall). In seven regular season starts, he is 5-2-0 with a 1.87 GAA and a .938 SV%, including two shutouts. He made his NHL debut last season on April 7th against the Vancouver Canucks, posting an 18 save shutout. He started and won his next start against the San Jose Sharks, clinching the Ducks’ second consecutive Pacific Division title and also won the regular season finale. Gibson started four games in the playoffs, going 2-2 with a 2.70 GAA and .919 SV, including a 28 save shutout of the Los Angeles Kings in his Stanley Cup Playoff debut.
While Gibson goes on the Injured Reserve, the Ducks have recalled goaltending prospect Igor Bobkov from AHL Norfolk. Bobkov was a third round pick by Anaheim in 2009 (76th overall). He was part of the Russian squad that won a gold medal at the 2011 World Junior Championships, and Bobkov came in relief during the gold medal game, stopping 20 shots and helping Russia win the tournament. Bobkov went 11-17-0 in Norfolk last season with a 3.13 GAA and .903 SV%, including two shutouts.
Frederik Andersen, who is day-to-day with leg tightness, was practicing with the team today. Andersen is 7-1-0 with a 1.60 GAA and .941 SV%. The Ducks are currently carrying three goaltenders on their active roster, with Andersen, LaBarbera, and Bobkov.
Jason Byun is one of the editors for Pucks of a Feather. He can be found on Twitter. For more Anaheim Ducks coverage, follow Pucks of a Feather on Twitter or like us on Facebook.