Injured Luongo to work with goaltending specialist

Dec 2, 2008 - 4:12 PM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo will take another important step in his rehab from a groin injury Tuesday when he begins some on-ice work.

One day after joining the Canucks for their morning skate at Nationwide Arena, Luongo will work with goaltending consultant Ian Clark, who will join the team Tuesday.

Vancouver's captain and one of the NHL's top goalies, Luongo has been sidelined by an adductor strain in his groin since November 22, when he suffered the injury against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Although the Canucks initially thought Luongo could miss a month, the three-time All-Star surprised the club by briefly participating in the skate prior to Monday's 3-2 loss at Columbus.

"I have been wanting to get back for a few days now," Luongo told reporters. "It's just nice to be back out there on the ice. It's a good day for me. Once you know you can get back on the ice, it's a good step forward and working toward where you want to be."

The Canucks have not set a timetable for Luongo's concern, listing the netminder as "week-to-week."

Despite being optimistic regarding his workout with Clark, Luongo indicated that he would proceed cautiously in his rehabilitation from the injury.

"For now, I think it's just a matter of making sure that before I get into practice that I'm feeling 100 percent," he said.

Luongo, 29, is 11-5-2 with a 2.17 goals-against average, a .928 save percentage and a league-leading five shutouts on the season.

Already shorthanded at goalie due to Luongo's injury, the Canucks also lost backup netminder Curtis Sanford to a back injury following the first period of Monday's contest. Sanford was replaced by rookie Cory Schneider.