Selanne and Rucchin Hurt, May Not Play

Things got worse for the Mighty Ducks Tuesday. They may have lost right winger Teemu Selanne for a time because of a strained groin. And now center Steve Rucchin may be out.

Rucchin did not practice Tuesday because of dizziness associated with the broken nose and broken cheekbone he suffered when hit in the face by a puck Nov. 15.

Rucchin and Selanne were to decide after today’s morning skate whether they would play tonight against Columbus. Duck Coach Craig Hartsburg said Selanne was “questionable” and Rucchin was “doubtful.” Not good news for a team mired in a 4-12-3-1 streak.

“I’m having trouble focusing out there,” said Rucchin, who has played two games since returning from the injury. “It takes a half-second for everything to register out there. On faceoffs, the other guy has the puck before I realize it has been dropped. When I try to focus, I get lightheaded and dizzy.”

Rucchin has already missed a significant part of the season. He sat out 10 games because of the face injury. He was also out the first six games of the season because of a broken hand. That’s 16 games that Selanne and Paul Kariya have played without their center.

“Rucch allows Teemu and I to be more creative,” Kariya said. “We know he’s back there defensively.”

Selanne will test his sore groin today, but he wasn’t sounding too confident.

“There is a chance I’ll play, but it’s a little chance,” Selanne said. “It feels a little bit better. But I don’t know how it will feel when I try to push it hard.”

The Ducks have recalled left wing Petr Tenkrat. Hartsburg also said that a defenseman, possibly Pascal Trepanier, would be moved to a wing.

TONIGHT

vs. Columbus, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 10-15-4-3, Blue Jackets 9-18-2-1.

* Record vs. Blue Jackets--0-1.

* Update--The Ducks lost to expansion Columbus, 5-2, last week.

* Tickets--(714) 703-2545.