- Editor's note: Sheng Peng will be a regular contributor to NBC Sports California's Sharks coverage for the 2021-22 season. You can read more of his coverage on San Jose Hockey Now, listen to him on the San Jose Hockey Now Podcast, and follow him on Twitter at @Sheng_Peng.
When Mario Ferraro had surgery to repair a broken lower left fibula on Feb. 27, he was expected to miss six to eight weeks.
So best case, Ferraro would come back to the San Jose Sharks in the second week of April. Worst case, he was done for the season.
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Two days into April, a week before the most optimistic end of his original diagnosis, the blueliner returned to action against the Dallas Stars.
Teammate (and roommate) John Leonard said what was on everybody’s mind when asked if he was surprised at all by Ferraro’s quick turnaround: “No, and I don’t think any of you guys are either.”
The reality of missing more than a month of hockey, however, would quickly set in for even the irrepressible Ferraro.