Family Crisis Calls Gerber

Goalie Martin Gerber returned to Switzerland Monday to be with his mother, who is suffering from cancer.

“Obviously, the most important thing in your life is your family,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “I said to Martin the other day that I lost my mom to cancer when I was 29. Martin is 28. It’s a nightmare. I said to him the only gift of cancer is it allows you to say goodbye.”

Duck officials were unaware of the situation until Gerber approached assistant coach Lorne Henning late last week. Team officials quickly made arrangements to get Gerber back to Switzerland.

“What can we say but our thoughts and prayers are with him,” Babcock said. “It puts things in perspective.”

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The Ducks recalled goalie J.F. Damphousse from Cincinnati to serve as Jean-Sebastien Giguere’s backup while Gerber is away.

Damphousse is not expected to play.

“He better not get in,” Babcock said. “Nothing against Damphousse, but we need Jigger to carry the mail. He has to be our best player. That’s the reality of the situation and he knows that.”

Giguere has been sharper the last three games, although he gave up four goals against San Jose on Sunday. He has a 2.97 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage.

Damphousse, a first-round pick in 1997, was acquired from New Jersey during the summer in the trade that brought right wing Petr Sykora to Anaheim. Damphousse had a 2-2 record with a 3.24 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage in four games with Cincinnati this season.

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Left wing Alexei Smirnov suffered a bruised right wrist in Monday’s practice, according to Duck officials. Smirnov was injured when he banged his hand against the boards during a drill, but X-rays were negative.

Smirnov, a 20-year old rookie, has played well for the Ducks. He has one goal and two points, but at 6 feet 4, 218 pounds, his physical presence on the ice has helped the team.