Mighty Ducks 4, Blackhawks 3

Saturday December 07, 2002

By JASON STRAIT
AP Sports Writer

CHICAGO (AP) Intense as ever, Theo Fleury made his return to the NHL by crashing into the glass on his first shift and staring down the opposing coach on his last.

It was like he never left.

Fleury, playing in his first game of the season after being suspended for a substance abuse violation, also scored Chicago's first goal in 4-3 loss to Anaheim on Friday night.

``I think anybody would have a smile on their face after the couple months I've been through,'' Fleury said. ``Tonight was what my goal was and I looked forward to getting here.

``It was great to be back out there, for sure.''

Fleury didn't waste any time making an impact.

His goal came midway in the first period. With a defender draped on his back, Fleury controlled a missed shot in front of the Anaheim goal and, with his back to the net, whipped the puck around his body and past the goalie.

Fleury pumped his fist in the air after the goal, then skated back to the bench where he watched several replays of the shot.

Fleury missed 25 games for violating the league's substance abuse aftercare program. He was cleared to return Thursday and stepped onto the ice just 36 seconds into the game, drawing another cheer from the crowd when the 5-foot-6 Fleury slammed into the glass while going after defenseman Vitaly Vishnevski.

When the game ended, Fleury drifted toward the Anaheim bench and appeared close to exchanging words with Mighty Ducks coach Mike Babcock.

Babcock said it was misunderstanding.

``At the end there, when I was yelling at the linesman he thought I was yelling at him,'' Babcock said. ``He's a fiery guy. I'm just glad to see him out there. Glad to see him smile and excited. And I was glad to beat him.''

The Mighty Ducks won on Steve Rucchin's late short-handed goal when he deflected in a shot with 6:51 left in the third period.

Rucchin, moving through the crease, redirected Keith Carney's shot from the left point past goalie Jocelyn Thibault.

``It was just the perfect shot by Keith,'' Rucchin said. ``He put it exactly where he had to put it away from the goalie and just let me get a stick on it.''

Andy McDonald, Jason Krog and Petr Sykora also scored for the Mighty Ducks, who won for only the second time in their last nine games. Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 17 saves.

Mark Bell and Alex Zhamnov added goals for the Blackhawks.

Thibault stopped 22 shots.

The 34-year-old Fleury spent most of the last two months skating alone in empty arenas, slapping shots into empty nets by himself while awaiting his return. He was not been allowed to work out or practice with the team after he was suspended for violating the league substance abuse aftercare program.

He will continue to participate in the substance abuse program and will be monitored by doctors throughout the season.

Fleury joined a team that is desperate for a spark. Chicago has scored 55 goals this season fourth lowest in the league.

He gave it to them in his first game back.

It was his first goal since March when he was with the New York Rangers. The crowd, which cheered Fleury when he first entered the game, chanted ``Theo, Theo'' after he scored.

``I love scoring goals. That's my job. It was nice to get that one early and out of the way,'' Fleury said. ``There was a lot of meaning to it.''< ^Notes:@ Before scoring in the first period Friday, Bell had gone 11 games without a point. ... Chicago has lost seven of its last nine ... Krog's goal was his first point in 10 games. McDonald's goal was only his second point in 10 games.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)