Rolston suffers ankle sprain in win over Thrashers

Oct 17, 2008 - 3:14 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The New Jersey Devils' 1-0 win on Thursday was both sweet and sour for Brian Rolston.

Rolston, who began his career with the Devils, scored his first goal in his second stint with the team before later suffering a high right ankle sprain.

A former first-round pick of New Jersey in 1991 who played parts of his first six seasons with the franchise, Rolston left the game midway through the third period with the injury. The 35-year-old lost his balance before crashing into the end boards behind Atlanta's net and did not return.

Following the game, Rolston was on crutches when he left the locker room.

"I think I just have a high ankle sprain at this point," Rolston said. "I went (into the boards) funny, that's all."

"It's fortunate that it's an ankle sprain," New Jersey coach Brent Sutter said. "He'll be fine."

Prior to the injury, Rolston was one of the stars of the game for the Devils, picking up his first goal of the season on a power play with 63 seconds remaining in the second period.

Rolston scored 81 goals with New Jersey from 1994-99 before returning to the team as a free agent this offseason.