Injury

According to the Lightning, 2006 first rounder Riku Helenius underwent surgery on his injured shoulder and will be out up to three months.

Helenius was expected to be the starting goaltender for Finland at this year's World Junior Championships, but he will not be recovered in time for the tournament.

ECHL.com is reporting goaltender Gerald Coleman has been placed on the 7-Day IR by Johnstown. The former London Knight is 0-1-0 thus far this season for the Chiefs with a 4.02 GAA and .871 save percentage.

For what it's worth, Swift Current and Prince George fans are saying Lightning defensive prospect Dane Crowley left the October 10 Broncos-Cougars game with a shoulder injury. According to Crowley on a radio station in Swift Current, he'll be out 1-2 weeks.

For those keeping track, that's three shoulder injuries (that we know of) among Lightning prospects. Vladimir Mihalik has a separated shoulder and should be back in less than 2 weeks, and Riku Helenius has a dislocated shoulder and could be gone for much longer. The Lightning have not confirmed how long Helenius will be out, though the Ilves club says 4 months. There is still no word on the specific injury to Marek Bartanus, but he's expected to play this weekend. We do know that Chris Lawrence has missed recent games due to a "minor head injury." I'm not sure any injury to the head can be considered minor, but nevertheless that was the report.

The Mississauga News is reporting Chris Lawrence was held out of last night's Ice Dogs game as a precautionary measure. He has a minor head injury. No further information was given.

According to the Owen Sound Sun-Times, Marek Bartanus was held out of the Attack's game last night due to an "undisclosed injury."

Bartanus has drawn rave reviews for his play so far for the 7-1-0-1 Attack. He is playing on a second line that's making life hard for the opposition.

The Sun-Times states the key to the unit may be Bartanus' improved play.

Bolt Prospects correspondant Chad Schnarr has learned from the Lightning organization that forward prospect Alexander Polushin is currently on injured reserve for his club team Khimik in the Superleague. The 2001 second round draft pick has been slow in rehabilitating from knee surgery and has yet to play a game this season.

Also, the Lightning say Prince George (WHL) defenseman [url=vladimir mihalik]Vladimir Mihalik[/url] should be back in action in two weeks. He separated his shoulder against Vancouver last Friday.

In other possible injury news, Marek Bartanus is not in Owen Sound's lineup tonight.