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Concussion Will Keep Sawyer Out

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Times Staff Writer

Mighty Duck officials are now using the word “concussion” when describing the condition of forward Kevin Sawyer, who has been sidelined for five games.

Sawyer had an MRI on Thursday night and the results are due today. He will not play tonight against Philadelphia.

“I went to the grocery store the other day and started feeling a little light-headed,” said Sawyer. “When you get dizzy at the grocery store, that’s not normal.

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“There’s not a single thing I can do other than wait. You don’t want to take any chances with something like this.”

Sawyer has worked out for only five minutes, on a stationary bike Thursday, since being knocked groggy in fight with the Kings’ Brad Norton on Dec. 19.

Although he is only a fourth-line forward and enforcer, the Ducks seemed to miss his energy and attitude -- on and off the ice.

“Kevin is a professional who does his job,” Coach Mike Babcock said. “He’s a great person and gets after it. I thought [Minnesota’s] Matt Johnson played a great fourth-line game [Tuesday]. That’s what Kevin brings you.”

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Mike Brown, Sawyer’s tough-guy replacement, left Thursday’s practice with a strained back.

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TONIGHT

vs. Philadelphia, 7:30

Fox Sports Net 2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- KPLS (830).

Records -- Ducks 15-14-6-3; Flyers 18-10-8-1.

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

Update -- The Ducks have lost four consecutive games, being outscored, 19-7, in that time. “A week ago we didn’t have any issues, now we have a lot of issues,” Babcock said. Center Matt Cullen and right wing Mike Leclerc were benched during the third period against Minnesota on Tuesday, but Babcock said he was not planning lineup changes. The Flyers put defenseman Marcus Ragnarsson on the injured reserve list because of a strained back.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946

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