Thilbault Collapses, Dunham Shines

A sudden and bizarre illness that afflicted Jocelyn Thilbault during the pre-game warm up stirred the controversy pot in New York last night.

Thilbault had been slated to start the game and was taking warm up shots when he skated out of his net suddenly. As seen in the picture on the right he suddenly grabbed his left side and the fell to the ice. Medical staff rushed over, and after several minutes he was helped off the ice. Mike Dunham started in his place against The Wild. He played brilliantly and earned the games first star.

When asked if Thilbault's attack was due to the serious case of food poisoning that he had suffered several days ago the training staff again denied there was any such case. "Thilbault has not had food poisoning. That's not to say he hasn't had some sort of stomach illness but that's all we're prepared to say at this time."

A clearly gleeful and jubilant Duhnam met the press after the game.

"What a game that was eh boys? I was really in the zone. Too bad Thilbsee didn't see it," he said with a smile. "You hate to see a team mate go down like that but, well, you just step in and do your best. Has anyone seen my stats?," he said and then brandished a stats sheet.

"Nine wins against 7 losses...hey...the teams only 2 games over .500 right? I wonder why? And... a .902 save percentage with a 2.89 goals against and 31 star points...that's good for what? Ninth in the league?" he queried innocently.

"The guy that's ahead of me in save percentage plays for what team again?"

"Islanders," ventured a reporter.

"Islanders! That’s right! I’d forgotten that…What place are they in again?" he asked.

When informed the Islanders were in first he said.

"First!" He then paused dramaticly. "You don’t say!"and then grinned

"Not that I pay attention to these things," he smirked and then strolled back to his stall.

Thilbault remained in hospital overnight in order to have blood work and toxicology tests done.