A red-faced Corey Crawford addressed local media Wednesday to explain his curious “off-ice” lower-body injury, which will keep the Chicago Blackhawks goaltender out of uniform for two to three weeks.
“I was at a concert the other day and was on the way out and missed a step and I didn’t think it was that bad,” Crawford told Chicago reporters Wednesday. “I woke up the next day and it was worse than I thought.
“I’m pretty embarrassed about it, frustrated.”
Twitter speculation placed Crawford at a Rise Against show at Chicago’s House of Blues on Monday night. He declined comment when asked if alcohol was involved.
“I’m not getting into the details of when it was. I’m just focused on getting back,” Crawford said. “It’s a tough bounce for me and like I said, I feel pretty bad about it. I just want to be out there playing hockey.”
Wings won’t take me
Heights don’t phase me
So take a step
But don’t look down
Take a step
— Rise Against, “Ready to Fall“
Crawford had been in fine form this season, posting a 12-5-1 record with a 1.87 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. He had made 14 consecutive starts.
Backup Antti Raanta will take Crawford’s spot in the crease against the St. Louis Blues Wednesday night, while Scott Darling has been called up from the AHL to serve as backup.