Fedoruk to Return After Suspension

Todd Fedoruk can appreciate the irony of his return to the ice tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes after a three-game suspension.

It was against these same Coyotes that the Mighty Duck left wing got himself into hot water with the league last week after his illegal hit on Petr Nedved that knocked the center out of the game with a concussion -- the flashpoint of a physical game between the Pacific Division teams.

“Maybe Colin Campbell wasn’t looking at the schedule when he gave me my suspension,� Fedoruk jokingly said Tuesday in talking about the NHL’s chief disciplinarian. “Probably should have made it four instead of three.�

Fedoruk isn’t expecting the same scene that occurred in Phoenix. He has served his time and whatever happened, he said, is in the past.

“That’s what hockey is great about,� he said. “Things were dealt with in that game. [Sean] O’Donnell came right after me because of a hit I gave somebody.

“Is there anything that’s going to be dealt with tomorrow? I don’t know. Maybe it’s going to be a new thing.�

Fedoruk said he never intended to hurt Nedved but remains unrepentant in taking his course of action after Phoenix defenseman Denis Gauthier knocked Duck forward Joffrey Lupul out of the game with a heavy hit.

On Tuesday, Fedoruk said there is no lingering issue between him and Gauthier, who was also criticized by the Kings’ Jeremy Roenick for a hard check in an exhibition game.

Sometimes “players have to take things into their own hands,� Fedoruk said. “For me, I’m concerned about my teammates. If my teammates start getting hurt, I’m obligated to make sure they feel safe out on the ice.�

Coach Randy Carlyle says he doesn’t think there is bad blood developing between the teams.

“Through the course of the season, those incidents happen,� Carlyle said. “To say that it’s going to be like that [tonight], who can predict that?�

*

TONIGHT

vs. Phoenix, 7:30, FSNW2

Site -- Arrowhead Pond.

Radio -- 1090.

Records -- Ducks 10-11-2-2; Coyotes 13-11-1-1.

Record vs. Coyotes -- 3-0-1-0.

Update -- Right wing Teemu Selanne and defenseman Keith Carney sat out practice with flu-like symptoms but are expected to be in the lineup. Jean-Sebastien Giguere (hamstring) says he may be available, but Ilya Bryzgalov figures to get his fifth consecutive start. Phoenix’s David LeNeveu is expected to start in goal as Curtis Joseph gets a rest.

Tickets -- (877) 945-3946.