Trebil Is No Stranger to Meaningful Games

As promised, Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg kept defenseman Jason Marshall out of Wednesday’s game against the St. Louis Blues. Dan Trebil got the call instead of Marshall, who was knocked groggy by a hard check from Phoenix’s Dallas Drake on Sunday.

Trebil played in only his fourth game of the season for the Ducks, but it’s not as if he’s never played in a big game before. Trebil, who spent most of this season at Cincinnati of the American Hockey League, played in nine playoff games for the Ducks two years ago.

“That was a long time ago,” Trebil said.

However, it hasn’t been so long that Trebil has forgotten what it takes to play in important games.

“You’ve got to come out and keep it simple,” he said. “The biggest thing is that everything is more intense. This is when the games get fun.”

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Center Steve Rucchin was sidelined for the seventh consecutive game because of a groin strain. Rucchin, who has been skating lightly on his own this week, vowed to practice with teammates Friday.

Rucchin also hoped to play in the regular-season finale Saturday at San Jose. “That’s the best-case scenario,” he said.

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Defenseman Pascal Trepanier underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his right knee Wednesday. He is expected to be ready for training camp next September.