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It's official: Svoboda's season comes to an end

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 14, 2001

TAMPA -- Lightning defenseman Petr Svoboda is done for the season.

The news Tuesday from general manager Rick Dudley was not unexpected. Svoboda has missed 28 games since suffering a severe concussion Dec. 14 in Phoenix.

The 35-year-old was in Montreal on Tuesday to see Dr. Karen Johnson, head of neurology at Montreal General Hospital.

"I've been given no indication he's capable of attempting to play right now," Dudley said. "We're not going to take a chance on his long-term health. Our plan now is to re-evaluate him at the end of the season."

Svoboda was hurt on a clean hit from Phoenix's Shane Doan. Svoboda's stick, which was caught between them, snapped upward and smacked Svoboda across the face, breaking his nose.

Since then, Svoboda has been plagued by headaches and dizziness. Dudley said at the time that the injury could be career-threatening. Head medical trainer Dave Boyer said the symptoms are lessening, but very slowly.

"There's no sense in him taking a chance," Boyer said. "We want to make sure he's better as a person and then talk hockey. ... It's a slow process. It's frustrating."

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