Suspended Players Practice With Team

Ruslan Salei, Pascal Trepanier and Jim McKenzie continue to practice with the team while serving their suspensions, hoping to stay sharp until they are eligible to play again.

It has been a particularly tough week for Salei, who was given a 10-game suspension for his hit from behind that injured Mike Modano of the Dallas Stars in Saturday’s game.

“I guess the only positive thing is that I can skate with the team and still be with the guys,” Salei said.

Salei said he’s concerned that he has been unfairly tagged as a dirty player.

“I’m not trying to hurt anybody or play dirty,” he said. “I’m only concerned about playing my game and trying to do my best.”

He also said he’s been fearful of injuring his teammates during practice this week.

“The first couple of days when I practiced with the team I was afraid to touch anybody,” Salei said. “I only touched [Modano] a little bit and he fell down and hurt himself.”

Modano, who suffered strained neck ligaments, a mild concussion and broken nose from going into the boards after the hit, said he’ll retire if violence in hockey isn’t reduced.

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Saturday’s shutout was the eighth of Dallas goalie Ed Belfour’s career against the Ducks. No other goaltender has more than three. Belfour, 16-4-1 against the Ducks, is expected to start tonight.

vs. Dallas

6:30, Fox Sports West 2

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 0-2, Stars 3-0.

* Record vs. Stars--0-1.

* Update--Modano and defenseman Darryl Sydor, whose left eye socket was broken in a fight with McKenzie, will not play. Expect to see tough guy Chris Murray in the Dallas lineup tonight.

* Tickets--(714) 704-2701.