Heineman ejected for kneeing as Oilers lose Howard to injury
Edmonton coach Mike Babcock offered an encouraging initial assessment after Isaac Howard left the game following Emil Heineman’s kneeing major.
What's newMike Babcock offered an encouraging initial assessment of Isaac Howard after the Oilers' 4-0 win.
New York Islanders forward Emil Heineman was ejected from Saturday’s 4-0 loss to Edmonton after a knee-on-knee collision with Oilers forward Isaac Howard. Edmonton coach Mike Babcock said after the game that the initial outlook for Howard was encouraging.
Babcock told the Associated Press that the injury appeared less severe than it first seemed. The Oilers hoped a day of recovery would help Howard; further medical assessment would follow if he did not improve.
Heineman received a five-minute kneeing major and a game misconduct at 2:22 of the first period, according to the Islanders’ official recap. Officials upheld the major after a video review, the AP reported. Babcock supported the call, while Islanders coach Peter DeBoer questioned whether the hit warranted a major.
Howard needed help leaving the ice and did not return. Sportsnet reported that Edmonton had ruled him out for the remainder of the contest.
