It has been a tough start to the year for Brynas goaltender Jonas Johansson.
Following his August visit to Lake Placid and Quebec for the American and Canadian summer development camps, the goaltender fell in with a bacterial infection and missed the start of the regular season schedule. The month-long illness eventually dissipated, allowing Johansson to serve as backup to Bernhard Starkbaum for a pair of games last week.
Johansson's return to health would be short lived, however, as the illness has returned, forcing the talented goaltender out of action for an undetermined period. With 17-year old Felix Sandstrom also on the shelf due to illness, Brynas was forced to acquire the services of Joel Gistedt, a former second round pick by Phoenix (2007). We'll be watching the development closely, hoping that Johansson can overcome the early season setbacks as he eyes the starting role for Sweden at the 2015 World Junior Championship.
Brynas (sans Johansson) will battle MODO (Linus Ullmark, Gustav Possler, Victor Olofsson) on Wednesday.
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On Sunday, Vaclav Karabacek picked up an assist as Gatineau downed Val-d'Or 7-2. The helper gives the budding Czech three points in as many games this season for the Olympiques, who return to action Wednesday versus Blainville-Boisbriand.
