Ducks Ryan Getzlaf skates in practice, still hopes to be ready for Olympics

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Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf is in Calgary and skated for the first time with the team on Friday. He was on the ice at Pengrowth Saddledome for about 20 minutes, testing his sprained ankle.

Although he remains questionable for Saturday night’s game against the Calgary Flames, Getzlaf wants to prove to Team Canada and Hockey Canada executive director Steve Yzerman that his ankle is OK and that he can be ready for the Vancouver Olympics. If he doesn’t play against the Flames, then he will try to play against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday. The 24-year-old Getzlaf was injured Monday night when he got tangled up with the Kings’ Dustin Brown. He skated without any apparent trouble Friday and then left the ice early as planned, said Ducks spokesman Steve Hoem.

The Ducks are chasing the Flames for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference and could use Getzlaf’s scoring punch (15 goals, 42 assists) in these final games before the Olympic break.
Team Canada’s quest for Olympic hockey gold begins Tuesday against Norway. Their next game is Thursday against Switzerland. Yzerman on Wednesday called Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers to tell him he would be Getzlaf’s replacement if Getzlaf was unable to play.

-- Debbie Goffa