Aussie Walker scratched from NHL game

Australia's first NHL ice hockey player Nathan Walker has been a 'healthy scratching' from Washington's game against Pittsburgh.

Nathan Walker

Nathan Walker was a 'healthy scratching' from Washington's NHL game against Pittsburgh. (AAP)

After scoring a goal in his NHL debut, Australian ice hockey player Nathan Walker was scratched from Washington's game against Pittsburgh on Thursday (AEDT).

The 23-year-old enjoyed a dream debut against Montreal on Sunday, scoring in the first match played by an Australian in the league.

But after clocking only 7mins 43sec of ice time against Tampa Bay on Tuesday, Walker was left out of the Capitals' side to play the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins.

Washington lost 3-2, with Patric Hornqvist scoring a power-play goal for the Penguins in his return from off-season surgery on a broken finger.

Only 20 players can be on a NHL team's game-day roster, including the two goalies, meaning Washington are scratching three players per game.

Speaking ahead of the loss to Pittsburgh, Washington coach Barry Trotz explained how Walker and recruit Tyler Graovac could alternate through the game-day roster.

"Both of them, in terms of role, yeah. I do see them being in penalty kill situations, third, fourth line roles," Trotz said.

"You can move them up a little bit because they do give you a different element; they're both really strong skaters.

"They're gonna be in the mix with the other guys as well.

"The great thing with both of them, Walks has played some centre; Graovo's played mostly centre. So there's an adjustment period for probably Graovo more than Walks cause he's moving over to the wing. So we want to make sure he gets those touches," Trotz said.

In good news for Walker, Trotz says he plans on keeping a full complement of 23 players on his roster, rather than drop skaters back to American Hockey League affiliate Hershey Bears, where Walker has starred in previous seasons.

"For me, I prefer to have one extra forward and one extra D," Trotz said.

"Just because it's not only easier to get guys in, but they feel they're closer to the mark, getting in the line-up. Plus, I like guys playing," Trotz said.

Washington's next NHL game is on Saturday (AEDT) against New Jersey Devils.


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2 min read
Published 12 October 2017 3:34pm
Source: AAP

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