Sawyer Is Unruffled by Hordichuk

Kevin Sawyer wandered up the high road Wednesday, offering little response to the challenge laid down by Phoenix’s Darcy Hordichuk.

Hordichuk, fresh off a 10-game suspension, played the pre-game goon Monday, saying that he had watched video of Sawyer’s “memorable fights” with his boxing instructor.

Sawyer, however, refused to rise to the bait.

“I will prepare for the game the same way I always do,” Sawyer said after the morning skate. “The guys who do this role around the league respect each other because we know how hard it is. All I will do is be professional, play the way I always do and be ready for anything.”

The first shift Hordichuk and Sawyer shared Wednesday, Hordichuk got in a good check.

Moments later, he skated at Sawyer, then fell to the ice. Hordichuk was given a minor penalty for diving.

Sawyer is third in the NHL with 85 penalty minutes, behind Buffalo’s Eric Boulton (100) and Minnesota’s Matt Johnson (90).

*

Duck defenseman Ruslan Salei left Wednesday’s game after the second period because of back spasms and a bruised left elbow.... Goalie Martin Gerber’s mother died Friday after battling cancer.

-- Chris Foster