Ducks Are Down to Final Chance : Notes

Duck enforcer Stu Grimson was suspended for a game by the NHL Monday for his hit on Detroit’s Kris Draper in Sunday’s game.

Grimson cross-checked Draper from behind after the whistle in the second period. He was called for a five-minute major for a deliberate attempt to injure an opponent, leaving the Ducks two players down. The Red Wings’ Steve Yzerman then scored to break a 2-2 tie and Detroit won, 4-2.

“I feel bad for Stu,” Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg said. “Stu has done a lot of sticking up for his teammates this season. Unfortunately, this happened at this time of the year. It’s over and done.”

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Duck defenseman Ruslan Salei did not skate during Monday’s practice and is questionable for tonight’s game because of an injured right shoulder. Salei was hurt early in the first period Sunday, when he collided with Detroit’s Sergei Fedorov. Salei said the hit aggravated a previous injury. If Salei is unable to play, defenseman Dan Trebil will fill his spot.