Oilers' Mike Smith injured again, Mikko Koskinen solo goalie at practice
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Mike Smith reacts after giving up a goal to Tampa Bay Lightning's Pat Maroon during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Feb. 13, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
The man who was supposed to be the Edmonton Oilers' top goalie this season has had another injury setback.
Mike Smith, who has stopped pucks in just six games all season, missed practice on Thursday with a nagging thumb injury and he will be out for a week or two.
Head coach Dave Tippett said Smith has a partial tear of a tendon in his thumb, which an MRI revealed is not completely healed.
Smith was injured Dec. 31 in an overtime loss to the New Jersey Devils. He last played Jan. 5 in a loss to Toronto.
"It was bothering him. He decided to get some (MRI) pictures of it. It's an injury that you got to give it a little bit of time to settle down," Tippett explained.
"He's a key guy on our team. We were expecting (Smith and Mikko Kosinen) to share the net, and Smitty has been banged up most of the year. He talked today about trying to play through it, but they want to give him at least a week off here."
The Oilers were left with just Koskinen on the active roster, who had lost his last six games.
Ilya Konovalov was on the team's taxi squad, but he was on COVID-19 protocol Thursday and has never played in an NHL game.
Tippett said rookie goalie Stuart Skinner would be recalled from the team's American Hockey League farm team in Bakersfield, but they were awaiting COVID-19 test results.
"They had a lot of guys down there test positive. So they're making sure he can cross the border," Tippett said.
"He's played very well down there, so we're very comfortable bringing him up and playing him. He's shown he can play at this level," he said of Skinner, who has played just 11 NHL games in his career.
The Oilers are scheduled to play the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night in Edmonton.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
2 Canadian citizens killed in Mexico: Global Affairs
Global Affairs Canada confirmed Saturday it is aware of the deaths of two Canadian citizens in Mexico, a day after local officials in the country reported a shooting at a resort near Playa del Carmen that also injured a third individual.
Border tragedy warns of new, unfamiliar immigration wrinkle for Canada, U.S.
The discovery of four people who perished in the cold trying to cross the Canada-U.S. border could put a new twist on the immigration debate in the United States.
Non-American travellers now required to be fully vaccinated to cross U.S. land borders
A new requirement for all non-Americans entering the United States at a land border to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 has come into effect.
'Special partnership:' Canadian loan of $120 million welcomed by Ukrainian president
The president of Ukraine is thanking Canada for a $120-million loan aimed at bolstering his country's economy amid a hostile buildup of 100,000 Russian troops along its borders.
U.K. accuses Kremlin of trying to install pro-Russian leader in Ukraine
Britain on Saturday accused the Kremlin of seeking to install a pro-Russian leader in Ukraine, and said Russian intelligence officers had been in contact with a number of former Ukrainian politicians as part of plans for an invasion.
Water temperatures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have reached record highs, experts warn
New data shows that water temperatures in the Gulf of St. Lawrence have reached record highs, with experts warning the increase could impact some species that live in the waters.
Plastic gold: How Lego is attracting the eyes, and wallets, of collectors
Certain sets of the popular toy Lego could result in fairly high returns once resold, with some research suggesting gains of as much as 11 per cent.
Wildfire along California's Big Sur forces evacuations
Firefighters on Saturday were battling a wildfire that broke out in the rugged mountains along Big Sur, forcing hundreds of residents on this precarious stretch of the California coast to evacuate and authorities to shut its main roadway.
Tiley denies reports Djokovic will sue Tennis Australia
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has refuted reports Novak Djokovic will sue Tennis Australia following his deportation from Australia, and said he expects the world number one to return to play at the Grand Slam event next year.
Calgary
-
Help wanted: Calgary Food Bank seeks more volunteers
The Calgary Food Bank has no shortage of food on its shelves right now but what it does need, however, is volunteers.
-
3 people, 4 pets safely escape from basement fire in southeast Calgary
The Calgary Fire Department says all of the occupants, as well as their pets, are safe after a fire broke out in the basement of a home Saturday afternoon.
-
Grocery bills set to climb again as more Canadians struggle to put food on the table
Nationwide inflation has hit a 30-year high and Canadians are feeling the pinch almost every time they pull out their credit card.
Saskatoon
-
Moe, Trudeau share condolences to mark 6-year anniversary of La Loche shooting
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau shared their condolences to mark the six year anniversary of the La Loche shooting that killed four people and injured seven others on Jan. 22, 2016.
-
'Sewer smell in there is horrible': Saskatoon residents frustrated with city over basements repeatedly flooding
Residents living in the 3400 block of 11th Street W in Saskatoon whose basements have flooded say this isn’t the first time its happened.
-
Saskatoon Blades take home victory over Medicine Hat Tigers
The Saskatoon Blades beat the Medicine Hat Tigers 9-2 in a Friday night matchup at the SaskTel Centre.
Regina
-
Sask. Hall of Fame NHLer Clark Gillies dead at 67
Clark Gillies, a Hockey Hall of Famer and Regina Pats legend, has died at the age of 67.
-
Sask. reports three new COVID-19-related deaths, 1,483 new cases
Sask. has broken its daily increase in COVID-19 cases record for the fourth time this month, with 1,483 new cases reported Saturday.
-
Canada-wide warrant issued for Sask. man charged with abducting his daughter
A Canada-wide warrant has been issued for a Saskatchewan man charged with the abduction of his seven-year-old daughter.
Atlantic
-
New Brunswick reports six deaths Saturday, 125 people in hospital with COVID-19
New Brunswick reported six additional deaths related to COVID-19 on Saturday.
-
Residential property assessments climb in Nova Scotia
Dan Shaw from the Dalhousie Rowe School of Business believes the increase in property assessments in Nova Scotia is linked to the current real estate market, especially in Halifax.
-
#SupportFredLocal campaign aims to help local businesses struggling with pandemic restrictions
Level 3 restrictions have been hard on businesses across New Brunswick - many have had to close, reduce capacity, or turn to take out only.
Toronto
-
Ontario COVID-19 hospitalizations drop to 4,026 while ICU admissions reach 600
Ontario health officials are reporting a drop in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations on Saturday as ICU admissions linked to the virus climb.
-
SIU investigating after man dies in officer-involved shooting in Markham, Ont.
The province’s police watchdog is investigating after an officer-involved shooting left a man dead in Markham on Friday night.
-
Ontario clinic accidentally gives people six doses of COVID-19 vaccine in one shot
A 75-year-old man is among multiple people in Ontario who say they were accidentally given the equivalent of six doses of the COVID-19 vaccine while getting their booster shot.
Montreal
-
'Enough is Enough!' Montreal-born AHL forward Boko Imama calls out racism after being mocked
The American Hockey League has suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik 30 games for making a "racial gesture" at Tucson Roadrunners left-wing Boko Imama during a game last week.
-
'In jail': Teenagers spent 10 days in windowless rooms in Quebec group homes over COVID-19 exposure
Vulnerable teenage girls in a Laval group home were confined to windowless rooms for 10 straight days this month – though they didn’t have COVID-19 – under a provincial directive, CTV has learned. Similar lockdowns happened at other homes, including one for much younger children.
-
Montreal North sees 3 shootings in just over 24 hours
A 28-year-old man was shot in the lower body Saturday evening, in nearly the exact same location where a shooting occurred Friday night.
Ottawa
-
Ottawa police investigate fatal stabbing in Vanier
Ottawa police say a 28-year-old man is wanted on a charge of second degree murder after a man died in a stabbing in Vanier.
-
O-Train out of service in Ottawa's east end as cold temperatures impact train power
"Based on initial inspections, it appears the extended period of very cold temperatures affected the overhead catenary line impacting power to trains," said the memo from OC Transpo.
-
Community rallies behind Stittsville family after fire destroys home
"It’s been rough, it’s been rough, but thank you everybody," said Sean Toogood, who credits his eight-year-old son for alerting everyone to the smoke.
Kitchener
-
'Bring one or two': Limited spectating allowed when sports return
Parents and guardians will be able to watch their kids play sports in Ontario when action returns on January 31, with a 50 per cent capacity limit on spectators.
-
Ontario COVID-19 hospitalizations drop to 4,026 while ICU admissions reach 600
Ontario health officials are reporting a drop in the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations on Saturday as ICU admissions linked to the virus climb.
-
Snowmobiler seriously injured after allegedly fleeing from police near Belwood Lake
The province's Special Investigations Unit says a snowmobiler suffered serious injuries after allegedly fleeing from police outside of Fergus.
Northern Ontario
-
Grief recovery program to help the vulnerable
The Samaritan Centre is a multi agency facility that offers services for Sudbury’s vulnerable population dealing with barriers like homelessness, food insecurity, mental health and substance abuse issues.
-
Snowcross races return to Sault Ste. Marie
Snowmobilers, UTV and snow bike racers from across Canada are in Sault Ste. Marie to participate in the 2022 Snowcross racing event.
-
Verner, Ont. woman living with ALS says PSW shortage is causing her life to 'deteriorate'
A West Nipissing woman living with ALS is speaking out about how the shortage of Personal Support Workers is impacted her life.
Winnipeg
-
Majority of Canadians finding it hard to keep their cupboards stocked
A new study shows a majority of Canadians are finding it difficult to keep their cupboards stocked with food.
-
Has Canada really passed the Omicron peak? Experts optimistic but urging caution
Canada's top doctor has said the latest wave of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant may have reached its peak. But while the modelling appears encouraging, experts say the news should be interpreted with cautious optimism.
-
Land-claiming spaceman snow sculpture sets down in Winnipeg
‘In the Name of Love’ spaceman snow sculpture is the creation of Bradley Gerbrandt.
Vancouver
-
Anger, confusion as most British Columbians now don't qualify for COVID-19 testing
For the majority of the pandemic, the provincial health officer has advised British Columbians to get tested if they have COVID-19 symptoms. That message changed dramatically on Friday.
-
Family of asylum-seekers claims discrimination as they fight to stay in Canada
A family who fled Egypt over fears of persecution for the father's political activism is fighting for the right to remain in Canada.
-
Some B.C. nurses still lack access to N95 respirators, union president says
With thousands of health-care workers calling in sick in B.C. each day as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread through the province, the head of the BC Nurses Union says a lack of access to personal protective equipment is contributing to the problem.
Vancouver Island
-
Rare marine mammals sighted in Salish Sea
The Salish Sea has been alive with rare cetaceans lately. Risso’s dolphins were sighted Friday near Nanaimo in the Strait of Georgia, and last week a fin whale was spotted foraging for food near a popular beach in North Seattle.
-
New permanent housing, shelter spaces coming to Salt Spring Island
Residents of the Seabreeze Inne on Salt Spring Island are breathing a sigh of relief after the province announced new permanent homes and shelter space for the homeless and most vulnerable.
-
B.C. looking at redeveloping Victoria affordable housing complex
BC Housing is in the early stages of redevelopment planning for the decades-old Evergreen Terrace affordable housing complex in Victoria.