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Joel Ward injured, Ben Smith returns vs Blackhawks

Joel Ward was unable to play in the Sharks’ game in Chicago on Sunday due to injury, according to reports.

The 35-year-old appeared to crash headfirst into the boards late in Friday’s game in Ottawa after getting hit from behind by the Senators’ Mark Borowiecki.

Sharks coach Pete DeBoer did not like the hit, which earned Borowiecki a boarding minor at 19:39 of the third period of Ottawa’s 4-1 win.

“Totally unnecessary. No other word for it,” DeBoer told reporters. “Ridiculous.”

Ward is fourth on the Sharks in goals with 10 and points with 23.