Photo: Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey
UPDATE, January 12, 10:40 AM. Schmidt has a fracture in his shoulder blade and will miss 6-8 weeks.
#Caps defenseman Nate Schmidt sustained an injury (scapular fracture) last night in Hershey and will be out 6-8 weeks.
— CapitalsPR (@CapitalsPR) January 12, 2015
Washington Capitals defenseman Nate Schmidt is just a ball of positive energy regardless of the Schmiduation. After only playing in two NHL games since December 18th (despite having the second best possession numbers among all Caps defensemen), head coach Barry Trotz sent Schmidt down to Hershey to get in some work over the weekend.
On Saturday, Schmidt nearly scored a hat trick. Then, on Sunday, the 23-year-old defenseman got injured (the severity is still unknown) after taking a run from Admirals forward Chris Wagner.
First, let’s take a look at Schmidt’s two goals, both of the power play variety.
In the first period, Schmidt fired a one-timer from the point. The muffed puck went through a maze of players in front of the net and beat Admirals goalie Jason LaBarbera.
In the second period, Schmidt did it again, though got a little bit more mustard on the shot.
3:01 later, at even strength, Schmidt sent another seeing-eye shot through a maze of players. The puck was tipped in front by Casey Wellman.
Bears fans threw hats onto the ice regardless.
Photo: Kyle Mace / Chocolate Hockey
Schmidt’s two goals Saturday match his total from last year after spending 38 games with the Bears.
“It was unbelievable,” Schmidt said to Chocolate Hockey after the game. “The energy was great, it was everything that I remember when you come back for a Saturday night in Hershey at home.”
Full Video Highlights
On Sunday, Schmidt’s fairytale ending was ruined after a Chris Wagner bodycheck behind the net.
Video via Fedor Fedin.
Chocolate Hockey reports that Schmidt was holding his left arm as he left the ice.
Now Schmidt hit hard behind the play and it's unpenalized. Beaker out to tend. He is slow to get up but he's skating off on his own.
— Scott Stuccio (@ScottStuccio) January 11, 2015
Nate Schmidt hit behind the play and is holding his left arm #hbh
— Chocolate Hockey (@ChocHockey) January 11, 2015
Schmidt is heading to the locker room.
— Scott Stuccio (@ScottStuccio) January 11, 2015
Beaker back on bench, no Schmidt #hbh
— Chocolate Hockey (@ChocHockey) January 11, 2015
He did not return. If Schmidt is hurt seriously, this would be a big blow to the Capitals defensive depth, especially considering how poorly Jack Hillen has played in Schmidt’s absence.
PHOTO: Justin Peters comes to check on Nate Schmidt after Schmidt is hit in the second period #hbh #Caps pic.twitter.com/N3N8ZFWfqc
— Chocolate Hockey (@ChocHockey) January 11, 2015
7:45pm update: Bears head coach Troy Mann says Schmidt’s injury is day-to-day.
Coach Mann labels Schmidt as day-to-day with an upper body injury in his post-game presser.
— Scott Stuccio (@ScottStuccio) January 12, 2015
