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Thursday, October 28, 1999
Weinrich steps up due to injuries
MONTREAL (CP) -- With three veteran defencemen injured, Eric Weinrich has been getting ice time like never before with the Montreal Canadiens.Weinrich, 32, who has played on second or third defence pairs most of his career, has been averaging more than 27 minutes per game. He played nearly 33 minutes in a 3-2 loss in Toronto last Saturday.
"Guys are always looking for more ice time, but to be honest, for me to be at my best, 30 minutes is a lot," said Weinrich. "But if I have to do it because guys are injured, I will."
Coach Alain Vigneault held Weinrich to only 25 minutes 27 seconds of ice time in a 1-0 loss to Chicago on Wednesday night.
"Playing 25 minutes, I felt fresh," he said. "But 30. . . some people do that every game and they're used to it.
"I don't think I can play 30 every game and play my best every time. I've never done it and I don't think I have it in me. When we get (Vladimir) Malakhov back, he can do that."
Malakhov is out for six months with a knee injury. Craig Rivet (fractured cheekbone) and Patrice Brisebois (sore back) are also missing, making Weinrich the Habs' top defenceman.
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