Canucks' Salo Leaves Ice After Being Hit With Puck

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Sami Salo left Monday's game against Minnesota after being hit by a slap shot late in the first period. He did not return.

The oft-injured Salo, who missed the first four months of the season recovering from a torn Achilles' tendon, was hit by a rising slap shot from Kyle Brodziak.

It was hard to tell if the puck hit Salo on the arm or lower back as he twisted away from the point shot. The 36-year-old veteran doubled over immediately with his left arm hanging down as he went straight to the medical room.

Salo, Vancouver's top defenseman last season, had three goals and six points in his first 15 games back. The Canucks are already without defensemen Alexander Elder (back surgery), Kevin Bieksa (broken foot) and Andrew Alberts (broken wrist), though Bieksa has resumed skating.

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