By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Not much more to say about this. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mattias Ritola cleared waivers on Thursday and is expected to be sent to AHL Norfolk.
A season-long battle with Meneiere's disease, which causes headaches, dizziness and ringing in his right ear, has kept Ritola off the ice for much of the season since he was picked up off waivers from the Red Wings in September. The condition sometimes strikes without warning, which makes it difficult to get him in the lineup. Before the Jan. 25 game with the Maple Leafs, Ritola told coach Guy Boucher right before warm-ups that he could not play.
Ritola has two goals and six points in 24 games. As Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman said on Tuesday, "We just need him to play games."