Coyotes put G Smith (groin) on injured reserve
LOS ANGELES — The Phoenix Coyotes have put starting goalie Mike Smith on injured reserve with a strained groin.
Phoenix recalled goalie Curtis McElhinney and forward Patrick O’Sullivan on Monday night before visiting the Los Angeles Kings. The Coyotes also assigned goalie Justin Pogge to the AHL.
Smith is 15-10-3 with a 2.52 goals-against average for the Coyotes, but hasn’t played since getting hurt on a non-contact play at Florida last Tuesday.
Backup Jason LaBarbera made his third straight start against the Kings.
Center Martin Hanzal also sat out for the Coyotes with a lower-body injury, missing his first game since Nov. 5. Hanzal is the Coyotes’ fifth-leading scorer with five goals and 14 assists.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
Tags: ice hockey, national hockey league, nhl