Brodeur back on the ice

TORONTO – Martin Brodeur returned his goalie stick to the rack Monday and calmed the fears of a hockey-crazed nation, saying:

“Well, I made it through practice.”

Canada’s top goaltender was on the ice for the first time in four days and his injured left wrist came through a full workout just fine. If his sore catching hand keeps improving, Brodeur is expected to return from a one-game absence and play toNight against Finland in the World Cup of Hockey championship.

“For the first time in five or six days I was able to use it,” said Brodeur, who has allowed only three goals on 100 shots in four games.

Brodeur was hurt last Wednesday during the closing minutes of a 5-0 quarterfinal victory over Slovakia when he made an awkward catch of a shot from center ice and sat out Canada’s 4-3 overtime win against the Czech Republic on Saturday.

Roberto Luongo made 37 saves in Brodeur’s absence, but split time in the backup role Monday with Jose Theodore.