Leg injury ends Yopyk's senior campaign

Senior defenseman Darren Yopyk will be out for the remainder of the season after breaking his fibia — the bone in his lower leg — late in the third period of men's hockey's 4-1 loss to Harvard Friday. The senior captain will be in a cast for six weeks, ending his Princeton hockey career.

"It was just a freak accident," Yopyk said. "I just took a hit to the boards and my leg rolled over wrong."

The senior captain was making quite an impact this season with five goals and five assists on offense, as well as anchoring the team defense as a member of the Tigers' top defensive package with junior Peter Zavodny. While the senior was the leading defensive player in points, he is better known for his toughness and tenacity on the ice.

"Everyone looks up to Darren," head coach Don Cahoon said following Saturday's game. "He has a lot of character."

It is still undetermined whether the Tigers will suit up a defenseman in Yopyk's place for this weekend's series or go with the other five defensemen who have played all year and send a forward with more experience onto the ice for the important series.

Even though he won't be able to get off the bench, Yopyk will travel with the team as they finish up their Eastern College Athletic Conference schedule at Colgate and Cornell, Friday and Saturday night, respectively.

"It's definitely hard to watch the guys play and not be able to be out on the ice, but I know some guys are going to step up for the team," Yopyk said.