So often this hockey season, it seems Alaska Aces captain Scott Burt can't catch a break -- except a literal one.

The man who wears the 'C' suffered a broken left foot tonight in the club's 4-3 ECHL shootout loss to the Ontario Reign at Sullivan Arena. Burt suffered the injury blocking a shot while killing a penalty in the second period. Remember, he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery earlier this season to repair an injury that came from blocking a shot.

Burt, who got hurt early in the second period, went to the hospital for X-rays. He was back at the rink, in a cast and on crutches, after the game.

"I don't know what the extent is,'' he said. "I just know it's broken. I'll know Monday if I need surgery. I'm a quick healer. I'll be back for Game 1 (of the playoffs) -- put it down.''

Guess the good news in all this is winger Curtis Fraser, out for months following surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder, expects to make his return Thursday when the Aces open a three-game set at Las Vegas. The Aces also are expected to sign winger Garry Nunn to an amateur tryout contract very soon -- Nunn, 20, is coming out of the major-junior Western Hockey League, where he earned 17-21--38 totals in 43 combined games for the Vancouver Giants and Edmonton Oil Kings.

Still, the Aces will miss both Burt's leadership and skill, and his grit -- he leads by example.

"His job isn't glamorous, and he gets hit by a lot of pucks,'' said defenseman Nick Tuzzolino. "That's why he wears the C.''\

If you're counting, and I am, 14 different Aces have missed a combined 210 games to injuries this season.