Working Hard to Earn Wings

Ryan Getzlaf and Garrett Burnett displayed their special skills in a 4-4 tie with the Florida Panthers on Friday at the Arrowhead Pond, as both tried to secure spots on the Mighty Duck roster.

Getzlaf did the pretty work, with a goal and an assist, while Burnett did the gritty work, winning three fights and a game misconduct as a parting gift.

“It is an individual time of year,� Coach Mike Babcock said. “There are a bunch of kids out there trying to make the team. Every day we’re watching. The guys who keep doing things wrong, they don’t want to be here.�

Getzlaf, the Ducks’ first-round pick in June, is battling Joffrey Lupul for the last forward spot. Getzlaf whipped a shot past goaltender Chris Mason to give the Ducks a 2-1 lead 18 minutes into the first period. He then assisted on Rob Niedermayer’s second-period goal.

Burnett’s future seems more secure, but he still displayed his skills Friday. However, he was gone 7:38 into the second period after his third fight.

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Jean-Sebastien Giguere gave up four goals and made 32 saves in his first game of the exhibition season.... The Ducks were hit by the flu bug Friday, which forced Babcock to alter his lineup. Steve Rucchin never made it to the arena for the skate Friday morning. Lupul and Mark Popovic were sent home.... The Ducks sent goaltender Ilya Bryzgalov to minor league Cincinnati.... Florida offered left wing Niklas Hagman to the Ducks, who were not interested at this time, a hockey source said.... Cam Severson left Friday’s game after being slashed on the left wrist; X-rays were negative.

-- Chris Foster

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Baby steps, but steps nonetheless.

King forwards Jason Allison and Adam Deadmarsh, both recovering from post-concussion syndrome, endured what Coach Andy Murray called “mild contact� in Friday’s practice.

“They were really not bumping into a lot of people, but getting shoulder to shoulder and leaning into each other for pucks,� Murray said.

The Kings are in Las Vegas for tonight’s exhibition game against the Colorado Avalanche. Allison and Deadmarsh have not been cleared for full contact yet, but officials remain hopeful they will play in the Oct. 9 season opener at Detroit.

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Defenseman Jaroslav Modry, who tied for second in team scoring last season with 38 points, has been cleared to practice with contact Tuesday. Modry has sat out more than two weeks of training camp while recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.

Center Jozef Stumpel (neck) will play in tonight’s game.

-- Mike Bresnahan