The Niagara IceDogs can't seem to catch a break.

For the majority of the season, the IceDogs have had a number of key players out of the line-up due to NHL tryouts, injuries, suspensions or the World Junior tournament.

However, with their four World Junior players back from their bronze medal performance and Tom Kuhnhackl’s well publicized 20 game suspension served, the IceDogs finally had all their star players present.

That luxury lasted three games.

During Friday nights game against the Sudbury Wolves, high scoring centre Ryan Strome and defencemen Brock Beukeboom both suffered injuries. Beukeboom hit his head against the glass while Strome was punched by Brody Silk in a scuffle. Both players failed to finish the game.

While it was first feared that Beukeboom may have suffered another concussion, that in fact may not be the case. After missing Saturday’s game against Barrie, team officials are hopeful the defenceman will return to action within a week.

Strome will not be as lucky.

A visit to the doctor on Monday revealed that the World Junior star has fractured facial bones which will likely keep him out of the line-up for at least a month.

A team official told LocalSportsReport.com that, “we hope (Strome) does not require a plate and are hopeful he will be back within a month.”

If a plate is required, Strome could be out for several months.

That is not good news for a team that is poised to make a championship run.

However, unlike many other OHL teams, the IceDogs have depth. The team sports a total of twelve NHL draftees, eight of which play on the top three forward lines. If any team can succeed without its star centre it’s the IceDogs.

Still, Strome is the type of player that not only puts pucks in the net, but also helps elevate the play of his line mates. He will not be easily replaced.

The IceDogs return to action on Friday when they visit Erie to take on the Otters.

The team returns home the following night for a 7pm matchup against Sudbury followed by a rare 2pm Sunday home game against the Peterborough Petes.