Maple Leafs LW Ponikarovsky injured

Jan 24, 2008 - 4:10 AM TORONTO (Ticker) - Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Alexei Ponikarovsky left Wednesday's game against the Washington Capitals during the first period after being on the receiving end of a hit from defenseman Steve Eminger.

Ponikarovsky, who retreated to the locker room, injured his right shoulder and did not return to the contest.

Eminger was assessed a boarding penalty for the hit.

Maple Leafs coach Paul Maurice deemed it a significant injury and does not expect Ponikarovsky to return to the lineup for quite some time. The team will re-evaluate him on Thursday.

Ponikarovsky has 13 goals and 10 assists in 45 games this season.

The 27-year-old Ukrainian has registered 67 goals and 76 assists in 313 career games. The 1998 fourth-round pick also represented his country at the 2002 Winter Olympics, notching one tally and one assist in four contests.