Hamhuis leaves game after hit by Getzlaf

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) - Vancouver defenseman Dan Hamhuis was knocked out of Wednesday night's game against Anaheim 6:29 into the third period after his head hit the end glass following a hit by Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf.

Hamhuis had just passed the puck and turned his back as Getzlaf came around the net from behind and delivered a check to the back of his left shoulder.

But Hamhuis' head hit the glass hard and he fell immediately to the ice, flat on his back for several minutes before finally sitting up.

Hamhuis eventually skated to the bench with a teammate holding either arm, and went straight to the locker room. There was no penalty to Getzlaf, who was playing his first game since missing six weeks with facial fractures.

Hamhuis, who is averaging 23 minutes of ice time on the top pairing with Kevin Bieksa, is the second Canucks defenseman in as many games to get hurt.

Keith Ballard is out three to four weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee after being taken down from behind early in Monday's game against Ottawa.

Vancouver is already missing top defenseman Alex Edler, who had back surgery last week and rookie Lee Sweatt broke his foot in practice Saturday.

Veteran Sami Salo was on his way back Wednesday from a three-game conditioning stint in the American Hockey League after missing the entire season with a torn Achilles' tendon. He could play as early as Saturday against Calgary.