Coyotes D Morris leaves game

Nov 22, 2008 - 6:38 AM RALEIGH, North Carolina (Ticker) -- Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris left Friday's 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes early in the second period with an upper body injury.

Morris took just two shifts in the middle session before leaving and did not return. He recorded a total of 7 minutes, 54 seconds of ice time over 10 shifts.

"He is our guy back there," fellow blue-liner Keith Yandle said. "He's our leader. Anytime you lose a leader like him, it's tough."

Phoenix coach Wayne Gretzky is unsure whether Morris will be able to play in Saturday's game at Philadelphia.

"He's sort of banged up all over," Gretzky said. "He's got an ankle injury he's been fighting. Right now, I'd say he's probably not going to play tomorrow night. But he's a pretty tough individual. If anybody can (play after getting hurt), he'll be the guy."

The 30-year-old Morris has appeared in 18 games this season, recording one goal, one assist and six penalty minutes.