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Zachary Fucale recalled from Laval on an emergency basis; Antti Niemi injured

The Montreal Canadiens announced the emergency recall of Zachary Fucale from the Laval Rocket.

Antti Niemi missed practice today, the team calling it a therapy day, but it was rumoured that the injury was serious enough that it would cause him to miss the game on Tuesday in New Jersey. The recall of Fucale all but confirms it.

It’s Fucale’s second recall of the season, joining Montreal earlier this season when backup Al Montoya was injured in a parallel situation where Charlie Lindgren was already substituting for the injured Carey Price.

Fucale has seen gradual improvement this season in his play, sharing his time between the AHL Laval Rocket and the ECHL Brampton Beast.

In 12 games with the Rocket, Fucale has a goals against average of 3.10 and a save percentage of .891, collecting 8 wins in the process. Furthermore he had 11 starts in the ECHL with the Beast, earning a 2.83 GAA and a .913 save percentage, accounting for five wins.

There is no status update on Niemi at the time, or the amount of time he will miss.

The Rocket are left with rookie goaltender Michael McNiven during their busiest month of the season, with 13 more games left to play in March. Expect the Rocket to sign a goaltender for Wednesday’s game.

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