Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin has been cleared to return to play and will most likely lace up the skates tonight against the Vancouver Canucks after the defenseman was sidelined since November 7th after a bout with the mumps virus.
While Beauchemin returned to the Ducks Monday and skated with the team, it is not his health that has bothered him.
After the Ducks’ road game against the Los Angeles Kings last Saturday, Bailey, the Kings’ mascot, decided to poke fun at the matter.
No mumps for me #protection pic.twitter.com/n2KYIhEaVq
— Bailey LA Kings (@BaileyLAKings) November 15, 2014
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Clearly it was meant in good fun, yet Beauchemin didn’t find it amusing, according to The Los Angeles Times .
"“I think it’s offside, you don’t mess with diseases like that,” Beauchemin said. “It’s not like the flu bug or something. It’s something pretty serious. But, again, nothing surprises me from the Kings. That’s something they do often for us.”"
The mumps virus can have detrimental side affects for people, including fatigue, yet the virus itself is one that many aren’t aware of.
"“For sure, they’re probably not aware of it,” Beauchemin said. “I don’t think they would be laughing if they would get a couple of players with it. That’s not something you should mess around with.”"
Beauchemin will most likely be back in the lineup, much to the joy of Ducks fans. Surely, Beauchemin’s physical presence and his team-leading time on ice average of 22 minutes, 50 seconds will have an impact on the team as it moves on to play three of its next four games against Pacific Division teams.
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