Photo Courtesy of Josh GalesIt’s been a tough week for the Fort Wayne Komets.
The club finds itself down 3-2 in their Central Division Semifinals series against the Iowa Heartlanders after falling 5-2 Thursday in Coralville.
Of greater concern, however, is the status of Komets forward Odeen Tufto, who suffered a leg injury late in the game and had to be carted off on a stretcher to a local hospital.
The injury occurred with 3:29 left in the third period during a scramble for the puck in the Komets’ zone. Tufto fell to the ice in extreme pain, grabbing his left leg and calling urgently to his bench for help.
Paramedics were called to the arena, and the game was delayed for approximately 15 minutes while Tufto was tended to. He was eventually taken off on a stretcher, and the game resumed.
Tufto is resting comfortably and is scheduled to undergo surgery Saturday, according to sources close to the situation.
Komets head coach Jesse Kallechy told The Hockey News in a text message on Friday that Tufto is in good hands.
“The hospital in Iowa has done a great job taking care of him," Kallechy said.
Tufto signed with the Komets last August after scoring 22 points (3-19-22) in 29 games with the Heartlanders in 2023-24.
The 5-foot-7, 174-pound right-shot center finished this past regular season with 38 points (12-26-38) over 36 games. In five post-season games with the Komets, he has recorded three points (1-2-3).
It’s do-or-die time for the Komets, but Tufto’s injury will certainly be heavy on their minds as the series shifts back to Fort Wayne. Game 6 is Sunday, with puck drop set for 5:05 Pm ET.