Corey Crawford participated in practice drills for about 35 minutes Monday morning at MB Ice Arena in Chicago for the second time since suffering his second known concussion in less than a year.
The practice drills he went through were similar to the ones he did Jan. 19. The Blackhawks goaltender worked on his lateral movement then defended some low shots from both face-off circles.
Corey Crawford is on the ice before the Blackhawks’ practice this morning. pic.twitter.com/X9oDxHqr80
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) February 4, 2019
Crawford taking shots from both circles. pic.twitter.com/fTUv3vIMv7
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) February 4, 2019
Crawford left the ice prior to the full team practice just as he did Jan. 19. The main difference from his previous public session was he did not take shots from his teammates around the net. Both times Crawford left the dressing room before media availability.
Colliton on Crawford: “Good he’s on the ice, but it’s just a day-to-day thing. We’ll see, see how the next few weeks play out.”
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) February 4, 2019
Crawford’s public practice session comes only two days ago that head coach Jeremy Colliton said there was no update on Crawford’s condition but said the team remains hopeful the goaltender will return this season.
[MORE: Crawford’s complete concussion timeline]
Crawford was diagnosed with a concussion this season after his head hit the goalpost during a collision in the first period against San Jose on Dec. 16. He left the game after the collision and did not return. The next day he was placed on injured reserve.
Prior to the head injury, Crawford was 6-14-2 with a 3.28 goals-against average and .902 save percentage in 23 games. He missed the first games of the season as he was working his way back from his first concussion that caused him to miss 47 games last season.
Almost a month ago, general manager Stan Bowman said, “if (Crawford is) medically cleared to play, then he’ll play again.”