Marshall Hurt but He’s Not About to Skate

It has been only four games so far, but defenseman Jason Marshall has staked a claim to the title of toughest Duck.

He has been playing despite a bruised left heel, suffered when he was struck by a slap shot Oct. 10 against the Washington Capitals.

The swelling has subsided a bit and Marshall isn’t limping as much. But he had to modify his skate by cutting out part of the heel in his boot so he could play without pressure on his foot.

“Marshall’s a tough kid,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “A lot of guys wouldn’t have thought of playing [the next night against Philadelphia].”

In fact, Marshall wanted to return to the game against the Capitals after being injured, but Washington’s team doctor advised him to stay put.

“Good,” Marshall, a man of few words, said when asked how his heel feels. “Better. A little sore.”

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The turning point in the Ducks’ 5-3 victory Thursday over Chicago undoubtedly was right wing Teemu Selanne’s check on Blackhawk defenseman Chris Chelios, which produced the go-ahead goal for Mike Crowley.

Selanne belted Chelios off the puck behind the Chicago net, then fed a pass out in front to Crowley, who beat goaltender Jeff Hackett for a 2-1 Duck lead.

“Great play,” left wing Paul Kariya said. “He’s got Chelios by about 20 pounds. People shouldn’t be surprised. [But] people don’t realize how strong Teemu is.”

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The Bears stink, Sammy Sosa’s home run derby is done for the year and the Bulls and Michael Jordan are locked out by the NBA owners.

So, it was surprising Thursday to see so many empty seats at United Center. Only 14,710 attended the game between those bitter rivals, the Ducks and Blackhawks, at the 20,500-seat arena.

“It’s unfortunate for the NBA,” Chelios said when asked if he thought the NHL could lure new fans during the NBA’s labor dispute. “But we’ve got to take advantage of it. It was great to have a full house here on opening night [against the New Jersey Devils]. The crowd reminded me of a Bulls’ game.”

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Chelios had nothing but good things to say about Hartsburg, who coached the Blackhawks for three seasons before being fired in April.

“I think it’s good he got a second opportunity right away,” Chelios said. “He’s a good guy. He didn’t get a lot of help at the end of the year. Somebody had to pay [for Chicago missing the playoffs for the first time in 29 years]. I wish him luck.”

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The Ducks on Friday sent left wing Mike Leclerc to Cincinnati of the American Hockey League. Leclerc played in two games but did not have a goal or an assist. . . . Center Josef Marha, sidelined since Oct. 10 because of a sprained right ankle, hopes to resume skating this weekend.