PITTSBURGH, (OTHL) - Pittsburgh had there backs against the wall going into game six on home ice. Chicago had the lead 3-2, and also the advantage of home ice in a possible game seven. And things did not get any easier for the Penguins when Alexei Yashin (4) scored after two minutes. A goal that silenced the fans, but that got the home team going. Instead of giving up, Pittsburgh took over the game and scored two straight goals at the 6:54 mark and the 6:59 mark, sending the fans into a frenzy. And both times it was Brian Rolston (11,12) who scored. Rolston who has steped up since Vincent Lecavalier went down with a injury.
The Penguins fans did not get to cheer for to long, as Alexei Yashin, possible playing his last game in the OTHL, scored his second of the night making it a 2-2 game after two periods.
”You never know what the future brings, but my contract is up and it looks like I will return to Russia next season.” - Yashin said. ”But right now I just want to enjoy the moment.”
Three minutes into the second period, Chicago took the lead when Kyle Calder (5) scored assisted by Johan Franzén. A player who has really turned up his play in the post-season. The Penguins however turned around the game with two goals in the middle frame. Matt Pettinger (4) tied up the game when he stripped the puck from a Blackhawk defender, and then scored on a surprised Ed Belfour. And with five minutes to go, Brad Lukowich (1) turned up on the scoresheet in the right time as he scored his first goal of the post-season, giving Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead after two periods.
The the hird period started, and with it a new team took the ice. All of the sudden the Chicago Blackhawks looked like the Chicago Blackhawks that started the season so good, scoring at will. Joe Sakic (14) and Teemu Selänne (14) both scored before the Penguins had realized the game was slipping from there hands. And while Kristian Huselis (11) gave Pittsburgh some hope, this was the Hawks period from the get-go. With seven minutes to go, Mattias Norström (4) (another player possible playing his last game), scored. Then Teemu Selänne (15), added his second of the period. And with just over two minutes to go, Kyle Calder (6) banged home 8-5.
”Joe (Sakic), stood up in the second break and said that it was time to start playing again.” - Jarome Iginla said. ”He reminded us that while we still had the chance to play for it in game seven, why not end this now and lift the cup. There are a couple of players who might retire so we wanted to go out there and win it for them.”
And thanks to Joe Sakic's speech, the Hawks turned around the game and won the cup. And Sakic was presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy after the final whistle. But the Hawks captain, did not crack a smile until he got the Cup Trophy handed to him by commissioner Jason Fisher.
”This never gets old!” - Sakic said.
BOXSCORE: Chicago at. Pittsburgh 8-5
Game Stars:
Teemu Selanne (CHI)
Mattias Norstrom (CHI)
Alexander Ovechkin (CHI)