Canucks D O'Brien eyes return vs. Blackhawks

Dec 18, 2008 - 11:21 PM VANCOUVER, British Columbia (Ticker) -- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Shane O'Brien walked with a visible limp on Thursday, one day after leaving his team's 4-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers during the first period with a leg injury.

The 25-year-old O'Brien feels he should be ready when the Canucks host the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday.

"It feels really good today and I'll probably go to practice (Friday) and be ready for Saturday, hopefully," O'Brien said.

O'Brien was on the receiving end of a hit from Oilers right wing Zack Stortini with 7:18 remaining in the first period.

"He went out of his way to get me and that's his job, so you've got to give him credit," O'Brien said. "I don't think it was a dirty hit."

The blue-liner returned later in the period for one shift before departing again.

"At the time, I knew it was a charlie horse, but it was kind like a shooting pain that was going up to the top of my inner groin and I didn't want to risk that," O'Brien said. "If the puck was turned over and I had to turn real quick, the next thing you know it's a pulled groin or something like that."