KINGS UPDATE: BELANGER SET TO RETURN.Byline: Matt McHale Staff Writer EL SEGUNDO El Segundo (ĕl sēgŭn`dō), industrial city (1990 pop. 15,223), Los Angeles co., S Calif., on Santa Monica Bay; inc. 1917. Its products include navigation and computer systems, aircraft parts, office machines, telephone apparatus, and - Ken Belanger Kenneth Belanger (born May 14, 1974 in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada) is a retired Canadian ice hockey forward. Belanger started his National Hockey League career with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1994. , the Kings new enforcer who has been sidelined the past two weeks with an ankle injury, could return to the lineup for Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche The Colorado Avalanche are a professional ice hockey team based in Denver, Colorado, United States. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Avalanche have won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1996 and 2001. in Denver. Belanger, a left winger signed as a free agent from Boston to replace Stu Grimson Stu Grimson (born May 20, 1965 in Vancouver, British Columbia) is a former Canadian ice hockey forward. At 6'6, 240 lbs, Grimson played in the National Hockey League from 1989 to 2002. , first sprained his left ankle on Sept. 15, three days after training camp opened. Then, after playing one game against the Mighty Ducks
Mighty Ducks is a half-hour Disney animated series aired on ABC and The Disney Afternoon in the fall of 1996. Twenty-six episodes total were produced. , he developed an irritation in a nerve five inches above the same ankle. After two weeks of rest and long rehabilitation sessions, Belanger skated Friday for the first time since facing the Ducks. He will not play tonight when the Kings meet the Colorado Avalanche at Staples Center This article has multiple issues: * Its neutrality is disputed. * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. . Former King captain Rob Blake also will not play because of the birth of his first child on Wednesday. Although Belanger showed his muscle against the Ducks with a heavyweight bout against Jim Cummins on Sept. 22, the ankle quickly worsened. Belanger was placed on a daily rehab schedule that lasted four hours. In addition to traditional hot and cold treatments and cardiovascular work, Belanger underwent low-level laser therapy that helps break up scar tissue scar tissue n. Dense, fibrous connective tissue that forms over a healed wound or cut. . ``The sprain sprain, stretching or wrenching of the ligaments and tendons of a joint, often with rupture of the tissues but without dislocation. Sprains occur most commonly at the ankle, knee, or wrist joints, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty in moving the involved joint. has completely healed, but we have been cautious with the irritation,'' Kings trainer Pete Demers said. ``We didn't want him to hurt it again. It wasn't the same injury, although it might look like the same injury. We're easing him back.'' Belanger, 27, played 41 games for the Bruins. He had goals in back-to- back games last November, but those were his only goals of the year. He had 121 penalty minutes. Belanger also played 10 games in he minors and missed 21 games with a hip injury. ``Ken has some good skills,'' Kings coach Andy Murray said. ``He can be a physical force with his hitting as much as his fighting.'' Belanger's absence the past two weeks might have been a blessing because it helped the Kings evaluate other players before the Oct. 4 season opener. Enforcers don't play every game. In last April's playoffs, the Kings decided they needed a tough guy against Detroit in the first round. But in the second round loss to Colorado, the Avs did not use enforcer Scott Parker. As a result, Grimson, who has since signed with Nashville, did not play. Belanger's line will be centered by Eric Belanger (no relation). Right now, Ian Laperriere is the right wing, but if the Kings decide Randy Robitaille should not play center with the second unit, Laperriere could be moved. Or maybe Robitaille, who also has played left wing, could wind up taking Ken Belanger's spot there on nights the big guy isn't needed. |
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