Blackhawks F Hossa nears return from injury
CHICAGO (AP) The Chicago Blackhawks got a boost Friday when forward Marian Hossa practiced with the team for the first time in two weeks.
Hossa participated in Chicago's morning skate before its game against the Nashville Predators. He has been shelved by an upper-body injury since the first period of the Blackhawks' 5-1 victory over Pittsburgh at Soldier Field on March 1.
''First day with the team, I felt actually better than I did yesterday and that's good sign,'' he said.
The 35-year-old Hossa hopes to play Sunday at home against Detroit or Tuesday at Philadelphia. He has 24 goals and 26 assists in 57 games this season for the defending Stanley Cup champions.
''He looked good out there. He skated well,'' coach Joel Quenneville said. ''Not playing tonight, but real close.''
Hossa was slowed by a back injury during the NHL finals last year against Boston, but he said this injury is unrelated to that one.
