Hebert’s Feeling Better Despite Bumps and Bruises

Goalie Guy Hebert didn’t practice Sunday, a day after he was twice slammed into the net in a 1-1 tie with St. Louis.

Hebert said he felt better and was hoping to be back at practice today.

In the first period Saturday, the Blues’ Stephane Richer came full speed, pushing the Ducks’ Teemu Selanne into Hebert. In overtime, Hebert was hit again when teammate Paul Kariya and the Blues’ Al MacInnis collided with him.

Hebert lay on the ice about five minutes after the second collision, then was helped into the dressing room.

“It was a little rough yesterday,” Hebert said. “I don’t even know what happened. I wasn’t even looking at the guys. I was watching the puck like I’m supposed to. The next thing I know, I’m pushed into the net.”

Hebert has been slammed into the net five previous times this season, including three consecutive games in February. He also suffered a neck injury when Phoenix’s Keith Tkachuk took a run at him Dec. 22.

“Every time you turn on the TV, you see some goalie getting crashed into,” Hebert said. “It is somewhat acceptable if it is a goal-scoring chance. But when the puck isn’t in front of the net, it’s dangerous.”

Said Selanne: “There is not much respect for goalies on those kind of plays. [Richer] tried to take him out. It has to stop.”

Selanne did his part, dropping his gloves and swinging at Richer as the two fell to the ice. Selanne then berated him from the penalty box (both players received roughing penalties).

“It is certainly good for a teammate to get mad when when someone else gets hit,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said.

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Left wing Marty McInnis and defenseman Pascal Trepanier also sat out practice. For McInnis, his groin injury has been a daily disappointment.

“Every day I get up and try to skate,” said McInnis, who missed 11 consecutive games in January and February because of the injury. “It’s really frustrating. This is the time of year you really want to play.

“I have never felt completely better, but it was getting progressively worse. You have to call it quits for a couple days and see how it feels.”