Carolina Hurricanes' Justin Faulk out with MCL sprain

Justin Faulk has three goals and seven assists for the Hurricanes this season.

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -- Carolina defenseman Justin Faulk will miss 2-4 weeks with a sprained knee ligament.

The team placed Faulk and forward Chad LaRose on injured reserve Wednesday after disclosing Faulk's diagnosis and saying he will not need surgery.

The team also called up defenseman Brett Bellemore from its AHL affiliate in Charlotte to replace Faulk, who was hurt midway through the second period of Tuesday night's 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

He suffered a second-degree sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee when he collided with Jack Skille behind the net.

Faulk has three goals, seven assists and 11 penalty minutes for the Hurricanes.

Three Carolina defensemen were injured during the first two periods of the loss to Florida, but Faulk was the only one who didn't return.

LaRose has been out since March 2 with a concussion. He has two goals and one assist in 19 games.

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