Roussel Earns Another Start

Goaltender Dominic Roussel’s previous five starts were on the road, so he was startled by fans’ reaction to his acrobatics in the Mighty Ducks’ 4-1 victory over Phoenix Friday at the Pond.

“It’s been a long time since I made a save and the crowd was cheering,” he said. “It was an awesome night.”

Roussel will get another chance to hear cheers today. In his previous back-to-back starts, he earned a 1-0 victory at Colorado Dec. 22 and a 2-2 tie at Ottawa Dec. 28.

“I don’t know that it’s a reward. Dom played well and we won, so we’ll play him again,” Coach Craig Hartsburg said Saturday. “He’s a good goaltender and he worked his way to where he is now.”

Roussel, who has stopped 103 of 106 shots in his last three games (a .972 save percentage), is glad to start again so soon. “You get that second one, you feel like you’ve got a rhythm,” he said. “When I’m not playing, I’ve learned to keep my enthusiasm up and my motivation up. That’s one important thing in the NHL, to stay sharp mentally.”

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Hartsburg is happy with the two-way play of defenseman Ruslan Salei, who has been paired with Fredrik Olausson. Hartsburg usually plays them with the Paul Kariya-Steve Rucchin-Teemu Selanne line, forming a five-man unit in the manner used by many European teams and the Red Wings’ Russian Five.

“He’s starting to come into his own,” Hartsburg said. “He’s strong and he plays nasty and he’s got good skills. The up-side is big for Rusty. The biggest thing is to be consistent and stay on the upswing and not take any steps back.”

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Defenseman Jamie Pushor, who suffered a scratched left cornea Wednesday, is doubtful for today.

TONIGHT

vs. Edmonton, 5

Channel 9

* Site--Arrowhead Pond.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 15-16-8, Oilers 16-18-5.

* Record vs. Oilers--0-1.

* Update--The Oilers have been battling Colorado for first in the Northwest Division. Their fortunes should improve when center Doug Weight returns from knee surgery, probably within the month. They haven’t fared well against the Ducks the last few seasons, with a 3-9-1 record.