PITTSBURGH, (OTHL) - The Penguins were forced to shuffle there lines prior to game three, as they lost Vincent Lecavalier for the reminder of the playoffs. Instead David Vyborny was moved to center, and Michael Nylander was bumped up to the top line to play with Huselius and Doan. On the other end of the rink, Ted Nolan also opted to make some changes, as Chris Simon was benched and Jarome Iginla was back with his old line-mates on the top line.
With Simon out, Nolan decided to reunit Tuomo Ruutu with his old line-mates on the second line. And Ruutu did most of the opportunity as he scored twice in game three. His first goal was the lone goal in the first period, his 3rd of the post-season. A tip-in on a shot from Tom Preissing. In the second period, Joe Sakic (13) kept his goal scoring streak alive with a nice wrister. Then in the third Robert Scuderi (1) scored a rare goal to give Pittsburgh some hope.
Hope that was killed by two goals by the Hawks. First Tuomo Ruutu (4) made it 3-1, and less then a minute later, Johan Franzén intercepted a bad outlet pass from a Pittsburgh defender, and Franzén did no mistake as he banged home his 6th of the post-season. Pittsburgh got a goal back when Jussi Jokinen (5) scored, and the home team also got a couple of power-plays late in the period. However, Ed Belfour and the Hawks managed to keep the net clear from any more pucks in the game.
”Tuomo Ruutu stepped up when given the chance. Just the way you want a player to respond when he gets more ice time.” - Chicago's head coach Ted Nolan said.
”We played scared in the first two periods. We were to afraid to make mistakes. Then in the third we started to play a lot better, but it was still not enough. In game four we need to come out and play like we are used to play from the get-go.” - Penguins Shane Doan said.
BOXSCORE: Chicago at. Pittsburgh 4-2
Game Stars:
Tuomo Ruutu (CHI)
Teemu Selanne (CHI)
Jussi Jokinen (PIT)