No Suspension, Rychel Hurting

Warren Rychel won’t get an NHL suspension for his game misconduct penalty for joining a fight Thursday against the Kings, but he might not play against Phoenix today anyway.

“He hurt his hand, I guess on Ray Ferraro’s head,� Coach Ron Wilson said after Rychel didn’t practice Friday.

Three game-misconduct penalties in a season can trigger an automatic one-game NHL suspension, but the Ducks received a rules clarification from the league Friday that Rychel won’t be suspended because game misconducts are separated into different categories, depending on whether they’re stick-related or for instigating a fight, for example.

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The fallout from the ugly 3-1 loss to the Kings included a 25-minute team meeting after practice.

“There was no tongue-lashing. We know what kind of performance it was,� center Steve Rucchin said.

Paul Kariya, the team captain, said the Ducks weren’t prepared and are too impressed by their occasional good performances.

“We get a win and we think we’re God’s gift to hockey,� Kariya said. “To get on a roll like we did last year, we have to work even harder after a win.�