Faceoff Factor

Tonight Is The Night Of Penguins

Matt Bodenschatz | Pittsburgh Penguins

Jun 12, 03:37 PM | Hype this story!

Five years ago, Ruslan Fedotenko found himself in the same situation, playing in Game Seven of the Stanley Cup Final.

Five years ago, Ruslan Fedotenko had the game of his life.

Not only did his team — the Tampa Bay Lightning — win the game and take home the greatest prize of them all, but they did it by means of a valiant two-goal effort from Fedotenko.

The final score: 2-1.

Fedotenko is just one of three players on the Penguins’ roster to have played in a Stanley Cup Final Game Seven. The others are Craig Adams and Petr Sykora – though Sykora is expected to sit out tonight with a broken foot.

Yesterday, Fedotenko had the following to say, according to NHL.com:

“I mean, going to Game 7, you have nerves, excitement. It’s everything and above. You can’t take a pregame nap because you’re so excited. But it’s still a game. We still need to focus on the game. It is probably the biggest game of your life for most people. But it’s still a game. We still need to stick to the plan and play our game.”

He added that, while he isn’t the traditional leader, his experience five years ago will give him an opportunity to step up and motivate his teammates as they prepare for battle.

“I will have my moment, and I will talk to the team before the game,” he said. “But I think I want to keep it between the teammates and myself right now, so I wouldn’t want to say too much right now in the press.”

But Fedotenko, and everyone else in the locker room, realizes that it doesn’t matter who scores the goals or who makes the saves, so long as they are wearing the black and gold.

For some, tonight will be the first of several opportunities to clinch the Cup. For others, tonight will be the last.

Fedotenko and his teammates will strive to win one for Sykora, who sacrificed his body to block a shot in Game Six, even after being benched for nearly two rounds.

They’ll lay it all on the line to win one for Sidney Crosby, who has been the consummate team leader and ambassador at the miraculously young age of 21.

They’ll make every effort to win one for Sergei Gonchar, who has yet to sip from the most sacred of sports trophies.

They’ll do everything possible to win one for Marc-Andre Fleury, who despite playing poorly in some games, has been a huge reason for the team’s success.

And most importantly, Fedotenko and his teammates will battle to win one for the city of Pittsburgh and for all Penguin fans across the globe.

Tonight is the night of Penguins.

Tonight is the night of champions.