Raty targets rapid return

KRS Vanke Rays goalie Noora Raty posted an update on her injury. The Finnish international was hurt during last Friday’s exhibition game against Team Russia and had to be stretchered from the ice.

At the time, there were concerns that this might be a serious long-term blow to one of the finest netminders in the women’s game – but after a medical examination, Raty, 31, is expected to make a full recovery.

Posting on her Instagram, Raty wrote:

“Unluckily, my 2020-2021 season now might be over due to a lower body injury I suffered against the Russian National Team in an exhibition game last Friday.
”Play every game like it’s your last game” is no cliché to me anymore. Good news is that no surgery is needed and a full recovery is expected with rehab. There’s a small chance I might be able to play again this season !”

Raty is returning to Finland this week with the KRS men’s team, which plays in Helsinki on Thursday. The immediate plan is for rehab at home – on her first visit for more than a year – and to spend some time catching up with friends and family.

As for the Rays and their bid to repeat as WHL champions? Noora has no worries on that score: “Another good news is that we have such a strong group of women together this year and one goalie going down won’t make any difference in the end result. This group is and I have all my trust in them to get the job done again this season even if I couldn’t come back on time.”