Grimson, Probert Spar at Last

Somehow, some way, Duck enforcer Stu Grimson and his Chicago Blackhawk counterpart, Bob Probert, kept missing each other in two games earlier this season.

But much to the delight of the 16,149 fans at the United Center, Grimson and Probert went toe to toe briefly late in the Blackhawks’ 4-1 victory Thursday.

Probert got the upper hand early when Grimson backed into teammate Jeff Nielsen, who was trying to give the two heavyweights room to fight. Probert then shoved Grimson into the boards in front of the Duck bench.

But Grimson fought his way off the boards, landing several sharp right hands to Probert’s head.

Finally, a big overhand right nicked Probert but threw Grimson off balance and they both fell to the ice to the cheers of the crowd.

Neither player was any worse for wear, although both spent the remaining 3:25 of the game in their respective dressing rooms while serving five-minute fighting majors.

Coach Craig Hartsburg returned Johan Davidsson to the lineup Thursday after resting the rookie center for Tuesday’s 4-4 tie against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Chicago’s Tony Amonte went into Thursday’s game against the Ducks tied with Philadelphia’s John LeClair for the league lead with 18 goals.

“Sometimes, it has eyes and it goes in,” Amonte said of the puck when asked to explain his scoring surge for the last-place Blackhawks. “It’s a funny thing. You just keep hoping it keeps going in for a long time.”