SAN JOSESharks goaltender Antti Niemi, unable to dress in Thursdays win over Dallas, returned to the practice ice on Friday and is available for the Sharks-Coyotes game in Phoenix on Saturday.
Niemi took a shot to, lets say, a sensitive area in practice on Wednesday and needed a day and a half to recover. Thomas Greiss made 19 saves against the Stars in the 5-2 Sharks win, while Tyson Sexsmith was recalled from Worcester to serve as the backup.
Niemi didnt want to get into too much detail on Friday, but said: I feel pretty good.
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When asked who took the shot, Niemi said, I thought it was Mike Ricci but Im not sure about that, before trying to hold back a bit of laughter.
Niemi has shutouts in his previous two appearances, on Jan. 24 in Calgary and Tuesday's win over Columbus.
Sexsmith was reassigned to Worcester.
Nemo looked good, and felt good on the ice, Todd McLellan said. I just have to get confirmation from the trainers, but I think were back to our regular two goaltenders.
San Jose Sharks
In other injury news, forward Tommy Wingels skated for the first time since suffering an apparent left shoulder injury on Jan. 19 against Ottawa, although he did not take any contact.
Jason Demers, on injured reserve with a lower body injury, is expected to begin skating again mid-next week, according to McLellan.