Pain and gain
Corson, Belak iced but Roberts'
prognosis better
By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun
CHICAGO -- A revved up Gary Roberts passed Shayne Corson and Wade Belak at the door to the Maple Leafs' infirmary yesterday.
While Roberts got a final check-up from Dr. Anthony Miniaci in Toronto, Corson also stayed behind to have a broken knuckle examined and Wade Belak stayed out of last night's game here as a precaution after neck muscle damage.
Corson might also miss the Leafs' game against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, but both he and Belak are expected back early next week at the latest.
The best news was on Roberts, eight months after double shoulder surgery, now expected to play on Saturday.
"The information I have is that he has physical clearance," general manager/coach Pat Quinn said after the Leafs' 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. "Now it's his own readiness (in question). I haven't talked to Gary, but if he wants to play Saturday, we'll play him."
But Quinn cautioned fans not to think Roberts will be the same one-man army he was in the playoffs.
"I think we should keep our expectations (in line with) how Gary plays," Quinn said. "He plays hell bent for leather and doesn't get many pretty goals by any means. We shouldn't be looking for (goals), but if he can force mistakes with his style of play, that's what we should be looking for.
"(Corson) smashed a knuckle or got a crack. We just found out quickly after the game (Tuesday). We'll just see where he is when we get back."
Belak was hurt in a heavyweight bout on Tuesday with Edmonton's Georges Laraque.
"I just pulled some muscles and I have a lot of stingers right now," Belak said. "I just can't move my head or my arm up and down. That's what happens when you fight a guy like that. He tries to rip you apart like a big bear."
Winger Paul Healey returned to the lineup in Corson's place, having not played since before the all-star break. This might be his last chance, considering Roberts will be pushing a regular out of the lineup.
"(Paul's) not what you'd call a big point getter, but he does a good job in a lot of other areas," Quinn said.
Quinn was asked how big a priority it will be to acquire a proven defenceman before the March 11 trade deadline, given his team still is capable of such poor coverage as their 6-5 defeat by the Oilers. Having lost the Alexei Kovalev sweepstakes to the Rangers, Quinn is expected to try and fix the club's weakest link, depth on defence. But there are few deals for blue chip blueliners that had the attraction of the Kovalev deal, which required only deep pockets and the unburdening of a few cheap contracts.
"We have to shore up our defensive game (including forwards), whether it's by acquisition or not," Quinn said.
