Iron Man Timonen plays through pain vs. Sens

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If theres a direct Finnish translation for Iron Man, Kimmo Timonen would be the guy to ask about it.

Timonen, who played just 5:32 in Thursdays Flyers victory over Chicago, skated through pain on Saturday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center to keep his Iron Man streak alive and well at 224 consecutive games played.

To be honest, Ive seen better days, Timonen said after the Flyers 3-2 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators (see story). Its one of those things where you have to learn to play through some injuries, and thats been kind of part of my career. It wasnt that bad that I could say I cant play, so I was out there.

As it turns out, though he was struck in the left hand with a puck during the Winter Classic, that wasnt primarily where his injury came from. The Flyers only called Timonens injury an upper-body one, though he was spotted wearing a brace on his left wrist after Thursdays game.

It happened actually last game, first shift, Timonen said. It wasnt that kind of injury where I said I cant play. Obviously it was sore, but we get amazing doctors who can make me play.

He could play, sure, but he said he was definitely aware of the pain. Of course, you wouldnt know it by looking at the stat sheet. Timonen led the Flyers in ice time, playing 25:45.

Its my lower hand, so everything I do with the stick, it hurts, he said. Its one of those things you have to play through some injuries sometimes. Its one of these situations where I want to be out there, I was happy to be out there.

Timonens return was very good news for a Flyers team thats struggled with injuries lately. Before Timonen took pregame warmups and decided hed be good to go tonight, the Flyers waived defenseman Matt Walker likely in preparation to call up Erik Gustafsson from the Adirondack Phantomsin case they were in dire straits and needed him.

Gustafsson, too, is working his way back from a left wrist injury. But thanks to Timonens perseverance, hell remain in the AHL for the time being.

"He plays so much for us in so many big situations, coach Peter Laviolette said of Timonen. It was great to have him and know he was going to be there for what he is battling through."
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com

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