Giguere Will Make First Start of Season

Goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere will make his season debut in goal tonight, when the Mighty Ducks play the Tampa Bay Lightning at the Arrowhead Pond.

Giguere was sidelined during training camp by a groin injury, which lingered into the season. He said he has not felt pain for a week and was activated from injured reserve on Thursday.

He watched Steve Shields start in goal for a fifth consecutive game in a 2-1 victory over Washington on Friday.

This has been a frustrating season for Giguere. He was handed the No. 1 job last season after Guy Hebert was released. In his last 15 games, Giguere was 7-5-3 with a 2.18 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.

He came to camp expecting to battle with Shields for the No. 1 goalie job. Instead, all he could do was watch while Shields’ exceptional play thrust him into the spotlight.

“Steve has been playing great and that is great for the team,” Giguere said. “But it’s time for me to get back out there. That will make things even better.”

A healthy Giguere will give the Ducks depth at goalie, something they have lacked in past seasons. Shields has been on top of his game through the first five games.

“I expect to play both of them,” Coach Bryan Murray said. “We could have one get a shutout and not play the next night. We want two guys playing and playing well.”

So tonight, it’s Giguere’s turn.

“It’s no fun being injured,” Giguere said. “You don’t feel like you’re a part of the team. My job is a hockey player. I don’t want to be a stationary bike rider any more.”

TONIGHT

vs. Tampa Bay, 5

Channel 9

Site--Arrowhead Pond.

Radio--XTRA (690).

Records--Ducks 2-3-0-0; Lightning 1-3-0-0.

Record vs. Lightning (2000-01)--1-0-0-0.

Update--Center Samuel Pahlsson, who sat out Friday’s game because of a sprained ankle, will play. However, left wing Jim Cummins suffered a strained rib cage muscle Friday and will sit out. The Ducks have killed 18 consecutive penalties and have allowed opponents only one power play goal in 23 chances.