Ryan Merkley Leaves Game After Getting Cut by Skate

Ryan Merkley is OK.

The San Jose Sharks’ 2018 first-round pick suffered what sounded like a scary-looking injury in the third period of a 4-3 shootout loss to the Tucson Roadrunners.

I say sounded because the Tucson camera went from Merkley’s battle with Boko Imama (15) in the corner to the puck carrier and never returned to Merkley (6).

This is how San Jose Barracuda announcer Nick Nollenberger saw it – the defenseman left the game and did not return.

“He went off the ice, he kicked the boards on the way off. He was visibly injured and visibly frustrated,” Nollenberger reported. “Well behind the play, Imama wouldn’t let him up and ripped his helmet off. Something occurred during that little kerfuffle. I don’t know if it was a skate, his own or Imama’s. But he looked to be cut on his right am.”

It’s good news for the San Jose Sharks prospect though.

A source called Merkley’s injury a “flesh cut from a skate.” Then added: “He’s all good.”

Barracuda head coach Roy Sommer told San Jose Hockey Now to expect Merkley back in the line-up tomorrow.

That’s a sigh of relief for the San Jose Sharks organization. The Barracuda finish their three-game trip in Tucson tomorrow. They’re looking to finish it strong after a 4-0 victory on Wednesday and a shootout loss tonight.