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Selanne backs Giguere

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Times Staff Writer

Upon hearing that Jean-Sebastien Giguere was nominated for the Masterton Trophy awarded to the individual who best displays “perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey,” forward Teemu Selanne said the goalie is an ideal selection.

“Jiggy is all of those things,” said Selanne, who was awarded the Masterton last season for his comeback after a knee injury. “He’s a typical example of a great team guy who has the right attitude about life.”

After a 2005-06 season in which he was hurt and lost his starting job in the playoffs, Giguere has responded with a strong season in which he has a career-high 35 victories along with a 2.26 goals-against average. He ranks in the top 10 in both categories.

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Selanne said he was most impressed by Giguere during the playoffs when he was replaced by Ilya Bryzgalov for much of the postseason.

“Just a classy professional,” Selanne said. “I measure players and human beings when they’re struggling.

“He had some struggles and never said a bad word.”

Giguere was nominated by the Southern California chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Assn. The winner will be announced in June.

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Corey Perry might have a boyish, innocent look to him but beneath that facade is a chippy winger with pest-like qualities.

With the Ducks trailing 2-1 in the third period Thursday against Columbus, Perry got in the face of the Blue Jackets’ Ron Hainsey and drew a roughing penalty on the defenseman. Francois Beauchemin tied the score on the ensuing power play, triggering a four-goal outburst.

“That’s kind of my game,” Perry said. “I want to try to get under somebody’s skin a little bit. Maybe make them do something they don’t want to do. Sometimes it backfires, but sometimes it works.”

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TONIGHT

at St. Louis, 5, FSN Prime Ticket

Site -- Scottrade Center.

Radio -- 830.

Records -- Ducks 46-20-12, Blues 32-33-12.

Record vs. Blues -- 2-1-0.

Update -- St. Louis is 25-15-9 since hiring former Kings coach Andy Murray.

eric.stephens@latimes.com

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