Goalie Naumenko Gets a Promotion

Goaltender Guy Hebert did not practice Thursday, but instead had treatments for the neck spasms that forced him from the Ducks’ 8-2 loss Wednesday to the Phoenix Coyotes.

Hebert hasn’t ruled out playing in Sunday’s game against the Sharks at San Jose. But the Ducks are taking no chances and recalled goaltender Gregg Naumenko from Cincinnati of the American Hockey League.

Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg, who was unhappy with backup Dominic Roussel’s performance Wednesday, indicated he may give Naumenko his first NHL start Sunday.

Roussel gave up five goals on 16 shots in relief of Hebert, who left the game after two periods. A 3-1 Phoenix lead turned into an 8-2 rout that was the Ducks’ worst loss since a 7-1 defeat March 31 against the New Jersey Devils.

Hebert said his injury was similar to the one he suffered midway through Game 1 of the Ducks’ Stanley Cup playoff series against the Detroit Red Wings.

Detroit’s Brendan Shanahan, who was flipped into the air by defenseman Ruslan Salei, accidentally kicked Hebert in the head in April.

Hebert said Phoenix’s Keith Tkachuk conked him in the head with his leg Wednesday. Or maybe it was his arm. Hebert wasn’t certain what happened.

“I was down and he came through the crease and caught me,” Hebert said of the first-period collision. “I had a hard time after that. It was getting worse by the minute. The doctors said there was no reason to stay in the game.

“I’d rather be day to day than have to be out a couple of weeks.”

Hebert, who is 13-13-3 with three shutouts and a 2.09 goals-against average, will undergo further treatment today.

“It feels better,” he said. “I’m taking some medication to get it to calm down. The worst part is sleeping on it.”