Corey Leivermann won't be back for the rest of the Fargo Force's playoff series against the Omaha Lancers.
Now the Force are hoping to earn some more hockey games for their teammate.
"The important thing is winning on Wednesday," Force coach Steve Johnson said. "That's the only thing that can be in our eyes right now.
"Corey's doing OK, but he's not going to be back for this series. The best thing we can do for him is to keep going so Corey gets a chance to keep playing."
Leivermann spent Saturday night in an Omaha hospital after receiving stitches and treatment for a concussion following Saturday's game, which Fargo won 4-2 to even their West Division final series at 1-1.
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Leivermann was injured following a check from Omaha's C.J. Ludwig in the final minute of that playoff game.
He had to be immobilized and taken off the ice on a stretcher.
The hit is being investigated by the USHL, which Johnson said would make a decision on suspensions today.
"Part of me hopes he plays, and some of our players hope he plays on Wednesday because then you could let the payback happen then," Johnson said. "But realistically, he won't be back in this series based on the penalties."
The hit came just 37 seconds after Matt Leitner had scored an empty-net goal to seal Fargo's 4-2 win in Game 2 of the series at the Omaha Civic Auditorium.
Leitner was given a 10-minute unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for taunting the crowd after the goal.
Following the hit on Leivermann, Ludwig was given an attempt to injure match penalty, and a charging game misconduct.
The attempt to injure match penalty usually comes with a three-game suspension, but Omaha is appealing the penalty.
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Game 3 of the series is set for 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday at the Urban Plains Center.
Leivermann scored what proved to be the game-winner in a four-goal third period on Saturday before Ludwig's hit ended his night early.
He's the second-leading scorer for the Force in the playoffs with four goals and two assists for six points. Leitner (five goals, three assists), is the team's top scorer.
"There is no doubt we're going to miss Corey for the rest of the series, but we're just glad he's OK," Johnson said. "Now it's the job of the rest of our team to pick things up, and to pick them up for Corey."
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