Rust Turns to Luster as Roussel Nets a Win

CHICAGO —  Dominic Roussel said he didn’t feel rusty in his first start in goal in almost a month.

But he admitted that he probably looked a bit out of sorts, particularly in the first period of the Ducks’ 4-3 victory against the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

Roussel gave up a goal after a wild scramble in front of him only 1:53 into the game. Chicago’s Dean McAmmond shot the puck off the right goal post, then swatted it past a sliding Roussel.

“I thought, ‘Oh, geez,’ for a minute,” Roussel said. “But I couldn’t dwell on it. I told myself to forget about it and keep going.”

Roussel also gave up power-play and short-handed goals to Tony Amonte, but blanked the Blackhawks in the third period, giving the Ducks a chance to rally.

Roussel made 25 saves for his first victory since shutting out the San Jose Sharks, 1-0, Dec. 26. He was defeated, 5-0, Jan. 17 by the Buffalo Sabres and Guy Hebert started 11 consecutive in a row before Monday’s game.

Coach Craig Hartsburg said he started Roussel because, “We had to do something different. I thought he was excellent. Chicago played a really strong first period, but he battled back and gave us a strong game.”