He Went Above and Beyond

The most electric moment Monday night had nothing to do with fancy playmaking or a standout save.

Between the first and second periods, the Ducks honored Aaron Blakely of Anaheim. By the time the short introduction was finished, there was a standing ovation at the Arrowhead Pond, and even clapping in the press box near the elevator.

Blakely, 24, of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, is a recent Purple Heart recipient. The announcement detailed his actions during a June 24 rocket attack in Kirkuk, Iraq: “Instead of thinking of his own well-being, he crawled around on his hands and knees to attend to others in his unit whom he felt may have been injured.” A grenade went through his left heel and right forefoot. Spectators heard details of his long recovery after surgeries and rehabilitation.

Having been fitted with two prosthetic legs, Blakely was recently able to run for the first time since the attack.

-- Lisa Dillman