Vitek Vanecek left the game after the first period in the San Jose Sharks' 4-3 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Vitek Vanecek left the game after the first period in the San Jose Sharks' 4-3 shootout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

"I haven't gotten an update from the trainers yet on Vitek," Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky said postgame. "I was just told he wasn't coming back."

The severity of Vanecek's status is unclear at the moment. If the goalie is forced to miss time, the Sharks could call up top goalie prospect Yaroslav Askarov for the first time. 

Askarov has been a superstar with the San Jose Barracuda in the American Hockey League this season. The Russian is 6-2 with a .949 save % and a 1.64 GAA. Against the San Diego Gulls, Askarov stopped 48 of 49 shots to help the 'Cuda to a 2-1 win on Nov. 13.

The Sharks are traveling back to California tonight, and there will likely be an update on Vanecek's status provided on Monday before the game against the Detroit Red Wings. 

Make sure you bookmark THN's San Jose Sharks site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.

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