Tim Coffman had played in every Alaska Aces game this season, he felt exceptionally good — no nagging ailments — and he began to think he might play all 72 regular-season games.
And then a seemingly innocent pivot that hockey players make dozens of times a game derailed all that.
The Aces' top center and co-leading goal scorer suffered a groin and pelvic injury he called "freakish'' Saturday night in a 2-1 loss at Idaho and is shelved indefinitely.
"I expect it might be a few weeks,'' Coffman said Tuesday. "Bummed me out.''
Coffman said he saw a doctor Tuesday and had an X-ray taken, and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday.
He's endured this season-halting agony — physical and emotional — before. Two seasons ago, Coffman suffered a broken foot when he was hit by a shot and was limited to 35 games with the Aces. Last season, a separated shoulder limited him to 48 games, exactly two-thirds of an ECHL regular season.
That's hockey. A cannonading shot can harm. Ditto for a big hit. But what Coffman suffered last week was unusual — a non-contact injury.
"I just went to turn and get back on the back-check,'' Coffman explained. "I guess my right skate got caught in a rut and my leg didn't go with me, and something tore.
"Worst pain of my life by far.''
With 15-18—33 totals in 45 games, Coffman is tied with Justin Breton for the team lead in goals and tied for second on the club in points. Without him, the Aces lose their first-line center — Coffman has long skated with wingers Peter Sivak and Collin Valcourt — and a principal contributor on the power play.
"He's become a top center, and he's played that way,'' said Aces coach Rob Murray. "It hurts to lose him.''
In Coffman's absence, Murray has elevated second-line rookie center Stephen Perfetto to the top line with Sivak and Valcourt. Ryan Tesink, acquired last week from Quad City, moves up one line to center the second line between wingers Garet Hunt and Breton.
Shuffling the deck
The second class of the Alaska Aces Hall of Fame will be inducted between the first and second periods of the team's home games Friday and Saturday.
Headed into the Hall are former Anchorage Aces winger Paul Williams of Anchorage; winger Barrett Heisten of Anchorage; defenseman Matt Shasby of Anchorage; defenseman Peter Metcalf; former Aces broadcaster Jack Michaels; and fan Ron Tomblinson.
Hunt and Valcourt should be back in the lineup Wednesday in the opener of a three-game home series with the Allen Americans after serving league-imposed suspensions.
Hunt served three games for joining an altercation after he was released from the penalty box and Valcourt served two games for a major elbowing penalty.
The only two Aces who have played in all 46 games are Perfetto and veteran defenseman Patrick Wellar.
Through Monday, Aces captain William Wrenn's 4-29—33 totals in 45 games placed him second among league defensemen in scoring.
Allen's Chad Costello owns a commanding lead in the league scoring race with 18-46—64 totals in 47 games that through Monday gave him a 16-point lead. Costello last season won the scoring title with 41-84—125 totals in 72 games that seized him the title by 45 points, the largest margin in the league's 27-season history.
Reach Doyle Woody at dwoody@alaskadispatch.com, check out his blog at adn.com/hockey-blog and follow him on Twitter at @JaromirBlagr
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