Injured Bobrovsky unable to watch All-Star festivities: 'I have to stay away'

The pain of not being able to participate in an All-Star Game on home ice is proving to be too much for Sergei Bobrovsky.

The injured Blue Jackets goalie, who's expected to be out at least a month with a groin tear, finds himself unable to watch the festivities at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

"I have to stay away," Bobrovsky told Michael Arace of The Columbus Dispatch. "It is tough, on the mental side. I need some time to sit back and think, reset and refocus, and move forward."

To make matters worse, Bobrovsky's father literally flew in from Siberia to watch his son appear in his first NHL All-Star Game, after having seen him learn how to play the game wearing homemade pads back in Russia.

"It is sad, really sad," Bobrovsky said. "I wanted to play in front of my fans, with my teammates (Ryan Johansen and Nick Foligno). It’s the first time (as an) All-Star for me. It was the first time for my city. It was so special, and I am so disappointed right now."

Bobrovsky's injury also likely means the end of the club's playoff hopes when regular season play resumes. In 33 appearances for the Blue Jackets, the 2013 Vezina Trophy winner posted a record of 16-15-2 with a .913 save percentage.