If it's starting to feel like the injuries are piling on the Rangers, it's because they are.
Rookie Justin Bailey hurt his sternum in Tuesday's loss to Guelph and is out two weeks. It's a big loss since the winger was beginning to find his stride and had two goals in his past three games.
Updates on the other injured starters.
John Gibson (hip) - Is improving. He may play Sunday before leaving for the U.S. world junior camp.
Tobias Rieder (foot) - Not good for the German winger. Tests revealed a fracture in his foot. He is out indefinitely and his world junior championship experience is in doubt.
Josh Sterk (concussion) - Rode the bike for 30 minutes today and has begun his return to play protocol. But he will not play Friday vs. Belleville.
Eric Ming (concussion) - The winger had a concussion test today and will have another one tomorrow. Results will determine length of stay, if any, on the sidelines. Right now, out indefinitely.
Matt Puempel (shoulder) - Remains out, not practising with the team. Timetable for return indefinite.
Darby Llewellyn (concussion) - Will practise with team today. If all goes well, he could be back Friday.
Toss in the pending departure of Ryan Murphy and Radek Faksa to world junior camps and it's beginning to look thin on the Kitchener roster.
Rangers' GM/coach Steve Spott said he may call additional help from the Jr. B Kitchener Dutchmen if Llewellyn and Ming are unable to return by Friday.
That likely means Brett Clampitt and Jesse Young.
In the meantime, the skipper said he's looking to players such as Matia Marcantuoni and Brent Pedersen to step up.
So far, Kitchener has held its own, but the injuries are bound to catch up to the club soon.
