Wild vets Brodin, Eriksson Ek each had broken foot that kept them out of playoff series loss to Avs

TL;DR

Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek of the Minnesota Wild missed the NHL playoffs due to broken bones in their feet. Brodin fractured his big toe, while Eriksson Ek broke his heel bone, both injuries impacting the team's performance against the Colorado Avalanche.

Key points

Brodin and Eriksson Ek missed playoffs due to foot injuries
Brodin fractured his big toe, Eriksson Ek broke his heel
Their absence impacted the Wild's performance against Avalanche

Minnesota WildColorado AvalancheNHL playoffsDallas Stars

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Joel Eriksson Ek were unable to play for Minnesota in the second-round series against Colorado in the NHL playoffs because of broken bones in their feet, the veteran stalwarts revealed Friday in season-ending interviews with reporters. Brodin suffered a fracture in the big toe in his right foot when he blocked a shot in Game 5 of the Wild's first-round series against Dallas, requiring surgery and forcing him to miss the clinching win over the Stars and all five games against the Avalanche. The Wild were eliminated on Wednesday in a 4-3 overtime loss in Denver, with both Brodin and Eriksson Ek relegated to watching the game on TV. Their defensive acumen, physical presence and playoff experience were all missed against the high-scoring Avalanche, who had the best regular season record in the league. Brodin, who finished his 14th season in the NHL, all with the Wild, was aiming to return at the end of the conference finals if they were to advance. “It’s awful to not play in the playoffs," Brodin said. "Best time of the year.” Eriksson Ek, who finished his 10th season in the NHL, all with the Wild, broke the heel bone in his right foot in Game 6 against Dallas. He took part in practice in a limited basis before Game 3 against Colorado last week, but he said he was unable to fully push off the foot on the ice. “You want to play,” Eriksson Ek said. “I just couldn't do it. Too painful to skate.” Brodin also had to miss the Olympics when surgery on an earlier lower body injury kept him from playing for Sweden. “It’s a frustrating year. We’ve got to stay positive and come back stronger next year,” Brodin said. \\_ AP NHL: and

Q&A

What injuries did Jonas Brodin and Joel Eriksson Ek sustain?

Jonas Brodin suffered a fracture in his big toe, while Joel Eriksson Ek broke his heel bone.

How did the injuries affect the Minnesota Wild's playoff performance?

The absence of Brodin and Eriksson Ek weakened the team's defense and playoff experience, contributing to their elimination by the Colorado Avalanche.

When did Brodin and Eriksson Ek get injured during the playoffs?

Brodin was injured in Game 5 against Dallas, while Eriksson Ek sustained his injury in Game 6 of the same series.

Wild vets Brodin, Eriksson Ek each had broken foot that kept them out of playoff series loss to Avs

TL;DR

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