Sharks' Niittymaki practices, Stalock out for season

Feb. 6, 2011SHARKS PAGESHARKS VIDEO

By Kevin Kurz
CSNCalifornia.comBOSTON -- Sharks goalie Antero Niittymaki, who was unable to dress on Saturday due to a mild groin injury, was back on the ice on Sunday morning with the team during its practice at Boston Universitys Agganis Arena.Niittymaki took part in most of the regular drills and was seen stretching his groin area a little more than normal. His status for Tuesdays game in Washington is still TBD.We need to sit down with the trainer and Doug Wilson and talk about where hes at, said coach Todd McLellan. Obviously, hes close enough to be practicing, but I dont think hes comfortable enough to be in there playing. We have to make a decision on what we do there.Should Niittymaki be unable to dress on Tuesday, the club would likely recall goaltender Carter Hutton from Worcester again. Thats because top prospect Alex Stalock is out for the season with a sliced nerve on the back of his left knee.Stalock, who picked up his first career NHL victory last week against Phoenix in relief of Antti Niemi, was hurt on Friday night in the Worcester Sharks game against Manchester. With about three and a half minutes to go in the game, Monarchs forward Dwight King stepped on him in a freak occurrence, reported the Worcester Telegram.Stalock, a fourth round pick by the Sharks in 2005, stopped all nine shots he saw last Tuesday at HP Pavilion after entering the game midway through the second period in his first-ever NHL game. The Sharks scored five straight goals in a 5-3 win over Phoenix.RECAP: Sharks score five straight to shock Coyotes
Hutton, who served as San Jose's backup on Saturday, must have been inspired seeing Niemi blank Boston in the Sharks 2-0 win. The goaltender was reassigned to Worcester in time for their game against the Providence Bruins and led them to a 2-0 shutout of their own, making 20 saves.