Hossa Hurt In Penguins 3-1 Win

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Mar 27, 10:37 PM | Hype this story!
1 2 3 Tot.
1 0 0 1
 
Tot. 1 2 3
3 1 1 1
 
Summary
It should come as no surprise that, in the much-anticipated return of Sidney Crosby, Marian Hossa was injured not once, but twice.

That would be the luck of the oft-injured Pittsburgh Penguins who just can’t seem to field their full roster.

But the news wasn’t all bad for the Penguins, as they managed a three-goal night — surprisingly powered by Jarkko Ruutu — to defeat the New York Islanders and (temporarily) claim first place in the Eastern Conference.

Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring he first period, squeaking his shot by Wade Dubielewicz, but the Islanders rebounded late in the period and carried the momentum into the second.

That momentum didn’t last long and ultimately proved worthless, as Ruutu (shorthanded) and Georges Laraque (breakaway) tickled the twine to cap the scoring.

As mentioned above, though, the scoring almost seemed secondary to the antics of the Islanders who appeared to be out for blood.

Early in the game, Hossa was hip-checked in the knee and, after struggling on the ice, found his way to the locker room.  The superstar winger returned to the game, but later was hit from behind in a very dangerous play.  This time, he left for good and it was reported that he suffered an upper body injury.

The team, however, showed plenty of unity, sticking up for each other, as Petr Sykora and Darryl Sydor both found themselves involved in fights, while Brooks Orpik, Malkin and Ruutu all found themselves serving time for coming to the aid of teammates.
 
Three Stars
# Player Team Pos. Stats
1 Ruutu Pit LW 1 goal, 2 assists
2 Laraque Pit RW 1 goal, 1 assist
3 Malkin Pit C 1 goal
 
Stat Line
  Shots Faceoffs Power Plays
  1 2 3 OT Total Won Lost Converted Total
Pittsburgh 11 11 7 - 29 21 33 0 5
New York 10 5 13 - 28 33 21 0 5
 
Scoring Summary
Per. Time Team Goal Assist Assist
1 6:53
16:31		 Pit
NYI		 Malkin, 45
Vasicek, 15		 Ruutu
Gurien		 Laraque
Meyer
2 15:12 Pit Ruutu, 6 (SH)    
3 6:40 Pit Laraque, 4 Ruutu Gill
 
Penalty Summary
Per. Time Team Player Penalty
1 4:10 NYI Park Tripping – 2:00
2 0:38
5:27
8:35
8:35
8:35
8:35
8:35
11:33
13:57
16:36
16:36
16:36
18:50
18:50		 Pit
Pit
NYI
NYI
NYI
Pit
Pit
NYI
Pit
Pit
NYI
Pit
NYI
Pit		 Hossa
Ruutu
Tambellini
Hunter
Satan
Malkin
Sykora
Johnson
(Whitney)
Sydor
Jackman
Malkin
Davison
Ruutu		 Roughing – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Slashing – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Fighting – 5:00
Roughing – 2:00
Fighting – 5:00
Goalie Interference – 2:00
Too Many Men On The Ice – 2:00
Fighting – 5:00
Fighting – 5:00
Roughing – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Holding – 2:00
3 3:37
3:37
3:37
9:22
14:21		 NYI
Pit
NYI
Pit
NYI		 Guerin
Orpik
Bergenheim
Laraque
Johnson		 Roughing – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Roughing – 2:00
Hooking – 2:00
Tripping – 2:00

Comments

  1. TIM

    Mar 27, 10:47 PM

    You have to be F’N kidding me. Did they say anything about a return time?

  2. TIM

    Mar 27, 11:11 PM

    Just caught the highlights. I know I should just laugh it off but this close to the playoffs it’s insane, and if the Islanders were just trying to ruin a better teams season they should be ashamed of themselves. Ruutu (who has been on a tear), and Laraque’s goals were awesome. Didn’t seem like Fluery was tested to much and that goal he gave up was sort of flukey, but he seems to gotten a short memory during his injury time

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    Mar 27, 11:22 PM

    I sure like what Fleury is doing. He has gained the team’s confidence — something they didn’t seem to have in front of him earlier in the year. He’s just on a wicked tear right now, and really is unbeatable for the most part. And, as you said, when he is scored on, he forgets it and gets right back to dominating. THIS is the goalie who was drafted first overall.

  4. TIM

    Mar 27, 11:58 PM

    You are totally right Matt and luckily he is only 23-24? He still has time to grow and improve and still has a solid career ahead of him. I hope Hossa is only out for a couple of games and is ready to go for the playoffs.

    Matt any predictions for how the East will be seeded when it’s all said and done or are you planning that for it’s own topic?

  5. Jesse Marshall

    Mar 28, 12:48 AM

    I think Hossa was kept out as a precaution. Probably got knocked dizzy. MIGHT have a mild concussion, but I bet he plays Sunday.

    Poor guy.

  6. DaBich

    Mar 28, 05:42 AM

    Jesse, I’m thinking he has a mild concussion also, as he hit his head on the ice. I feel that play should be reviewed by the league and punishment meted out. That was a totally blind (also intentional) hit from behind and it stunk. Bergenheim deserves suspension.

    Great game, Rutuu was definitely full of himself last night! =D

  7. Matt Bodenschatz

    Mar 28, 08:43 AM

    Tim, I agree with Jesse and Dabich in that I think Hossa really won’t be out long. Some have suggested some sort of shoulder injury, but he wasn’t hanging either arm, and when he was on the ice, his hands were over his face, indicating some sort of head injury. I would say a mild concussion is the extent of it. Let’s keep out fingers crossed.

    If I had to pick the playoffs at this point, I’d say the series will look like this:

    1 Montreal vs 8 Washington — Montreal
    2 Pittsburgh vs 7 Boston — Pittsburgh
    3 Carolina vs 6 New Jersey — New Jersey
    4 NY Rangers vs 5 Ottawa — NY Rangers

    I think the Penguins will bump the Flyers out of the playoffs with two regulation victories against them to finish the season.

    Dabich, I certainly wouldn’t be against review on that play, though something tells me there won’t be anything. And Ruutu has rounded into playoff form. I’ve said this before: he’s a Gary Roberts, in a sense, when it comes to playoff intensity. He is a veteran who just knows how to amp up his game this time of year.

  8. TIM

    Mar 28, 10:09 AM

    Matt I hope you are right then I could see 2 Playoff games here in Boston. Rutuu has been playing solid hockey and his intensity and attitude are going to be very valuable when things get tough in the playoffs. I hope Roberts is able to come back I think the fans and the team would love to have him.

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