Tampa Bay Lightning
NEW YORK — Sometime early Monday evening, Ryan Callahan told head trainer Tom Mulligan he was experiencing stomach pain.
After a quick examination, Callahan was told to go to the hospital for evaluation. Shortly after, on the eve of Tampa Bay’s scheduled Game 6 against Montreal, Callahan was told he needed an appendectomy and to prepare for surgery.
His first thought?
“How long am I out?” Callahan said Thursday.
Turns out, it might not be that long.
Less than 72 hours after the surgery, Callahan laced up his skates and was on the ice to participate in the team’s light practice before the Lightning headed to New York to prepare for Saturday’s Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden.