Ludwig’s Penalty Too Light for Page

The NHL suspended Dallas defenseman Craig Ludwig an additional game for slamming Teemu Selanne’s head against the glass, igniting Friday’s third-period brawling. Ludwig served the first game of his suspension Tuesday against the Kings and also did not play Wednesday against San Jose.

It was light punishment as far as Duck Coach Pierre Page was concerned.

“I have a tough time figuring this one out,” Page said. “It’s not an easy job. The NHL probably wants to make sure there isn’t a kangaroo court. We all want somebody to be suspended for 20 games. We want to make sure it’s the right guy. I’d hate to see somebody lose all that money unless it’s completely justified.

“This was an intent to injure.”

Brian Burke, NHL director of hockey operations, did not agree with Page.

“I don’t think this was an instance of a deliberate intent to injure,” Burke said. “Yes, Craig Ludwig left his feet [to check Selanne], but I don’t think he went into the corner intending to injure Selanne.”

Selanne, who was not seriously injured when Ludwig elbowed him with 4:08 left in the Stars’ 6-3 victory, hoped to put the incident behind him.

“I don’t want to criticize anybody,” he said. “I’m just happy I didn’t get hurt and was able to play right away. I said already those kinds of hits have no place in my kind of hockey.

“It’s always punishment if he got [suspended for some] games.”

Tonight

at Philadelphia

* 4:30 PST

* Fox Sports

West 2

Site--CoreStates Center.

Radio--KRLA 1110, KCKC 1350, KPLS 830.

Records--Ducks 21-37-9, Flyers 35-20-10.

Record vs. Flyers--0-0-1.

Update--There is still no timetable for goalie Guy Hebert’s return from the injured reserve list. He continues to perform rehabilitation exercises on his injured right shoulder and has not joined the team on this trip. Injured Philadelphia defenseman Eric Desjardins hopes to play tonight. He bruised his right shoulder in a 4-1 victory Monday over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Roger Neilson is 3-0-1 since taking over for Wayne Cashman as coach March 9.