Rucchin Bruise Was Separation

It’s a Stanley Cup playoff tradition that players hide injuries from opponents and reporters, and Mighty Duck center Steve Rucchin did his part the past two weeks.

Rucchin played the final five playoff games despite a separated left shoulder, suffered after a hard check against the boards midway through Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals April 27 against Phoenix.

Asked repeatedly if he was fit, Rucchin’s standard answer was: “I’m not 100%, but I’m fine. I can play.” He and the Duck medical staff said it was merely a bruise.

“It was so bad he took three shots,” Coach Ron Wilson said after Thursday’s 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in Game 4 of their semifinal series eliminated the Ducks.

“It was so frustrating,” Rucchin said. “My shoulder was so weak. I was trying so hard. It would have almost been better to have lost in regulation because we worked so hard out there. To lose another overtime game, what can you say? It stinks.”

Rucchin had a goal and two assists in the playoffs--all after he was injured. He also sat out the first three games of the quarterfinals because of back spasms.