Los Angeles Kings winger Dustin Penner has revealed he was unable to play over the weekend after suffering back spasms brought on by eating pancakes.
Penner, who is no stranger to being knocked for his weight, admitted he was forced to sit out the Kings' 1-0 loss to Columbus Saturday after becoming crippled as he leaned forward to tuck into his breakfast.
"Apparently it's one of those mysterious things, where you can throw it out sneezing," he told LA Kings Insider.
"I just leaned over to dip into some delicious pancakes that my wife made. It's just like it wraps around you and squeezes."
The 242-pound left winger said his back "locked" and he was unable to stand.
After his wife helped him get dressed, Penner said he drove to the Staples Center hoping the training staff could work some magic, but he was told to go home after it was clear he was not well enough to play.
The 29-year-old was back at practice Sunday as the Kings prepared for their Monday night matchup against Washington.
It remained unclear whether Penner, who has just two goals and six assists this season, would be ready for the game against the Capitals.
Penner was traded to the Kings from Edmonton in February. He previously played for the Anaheim Ducks, where he won a Stanley Cup as a rookie in 2006-07.
