* Holmstrom out: Detroit winger Tomas Holmstrom (hamstring) was scratched from the lineup before Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Saturday night. Right wing Dan Cleary filled Holmstrom's spot on the No. 1 line. Right wing Darren McCarty took Holmstrom's spot in the lineup.
Holmstrom participated in the morning skate with the team. “It felt pretty good,” he said after coming off the Mellon Arena ice. “We’re still talking about it. We’re going to try to make the right decision.”
Holmstrom suffered the injury late in Game 3 on Wednesday during an awkward collision with Penguins defenseman Hal Gill in front of Pittsburgh’s net. Holmstrom said he would attempt to wrap the leg differently in hopes that will allow him to play. On Friday, Holmstrom said he could have played if the game had been held that night. Head coach Mike Babcock also expected Holmstrom to play.
"It's terrible. It's the best time of the year. You want to be out there," Holmstrom said after the morning skate. "But you want to make the best decision."

* A quiet duo: Detroit’s highly skilled duo of Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk entered Game 4 with a combined one goal and two points in the series. Datsyuk had no points in the series until he assisted on defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom’s goal in the first period on Saturday.
Head coach Mike Babcock was critical of his club’s No. 1 power-play unit. Zetterberg and Datsyuk play on that unit. “We need to be disciplined,” Datsyuk said, “and we need more shots on the power play.
But on Saturday, Babcock expressed confidence in his unit. “They’re going to respond like they always do,” he said. “The power play is going to be on fire and they’re going to play well.
Yet, Pittsburgh’s defense remains more concerned about the Red Wings’ offense, not just two forwards. “It’s a tall task for our D men and the forwards (who defend) against them,” defenseman Darryl Sydor said. “They’ve got four solid lines over there. We have to be sure that we’re strong in our end.”

* Bourdon honored: The NHL observed a moment of silence before the game for the late Luc Bourdon, the Vancouver defenseman who died in a motorcycle accident on Thursday.

* Malkin, Malone getting closer?: Forwards Evgeni Malkin and Ryan Malone began Saturday with a combined one point in the series – Malone’s assist in Game 3. Malkin had one goal and two points in his previous seven games. But captain Sidney Crosby said both are close to regaining their past offensive forms. “I think those guys had some great chances (in Game 3),” Crosby said after Saturday’s morning skate, “and (they) didn’t go in. But they’re right there. They’re right on the cusp of putting those in.”
However, Malkin and Malone failed to record a point. Malkin didn’t score despite five shots on goal.

* Strong return: Sydor counted the number of days passed between his last two games. “Fifty-seven days off,” he said Saturday, two days after making his 2008 Cup debut in Game 3. “But I didn’t do too bad.” Sydor remained in the lineup for Game 4 in place of rookie Kris Letang.
“One of the things that helped me out was knowing what the Stanley Cup Finals was about,” he said.
Defense mate Rob Scuderi praised Sydor’s ability to remain ready. “He’s kept himself in good shape,” Scuderi said. “I’m sure it wasn’t an easy situation for him (in Game 3). But I thought he played well.”

* A blossoming career?: Former Penguin Colby Armstrong, now an Atlanta winger, has been an analyst for Rogers Sportsnet, the Canadian sports television network, during the series. Before Game 3 on Wednesday, he predicted Crosby’s strong performance would lead the Penguins to a 3-2 win. Crosby scored the first two goals in Pittsburgh’s 3-2 win at Mellon Arena.
“If he’s predicting that, I hope he keeps going,” Crosby said Saturday. “He’s a good buddy. Maybe he knows me well. But that’s a good call on his part.” Penguins winger Jarkko Ruutu jokingly said Armstrong could have a career in television broadcasting. “He’s got the looks. He’s the total package,” Ruutu said. “When you have the total package, you can go anywhere and get a job.”

* Around the rink: The Penguins recorded their 66th consecutive sellout. … Pittsburgh scratched goaltender Dany Sabourin, defenseman Kris Letang and forwards Kris Beech, Georges Laraque and Jeff Taffe. … Detroit also scratched goaltender Jimmy Howard, defensemen Chris Chelios, Jakub Kindl, Derek Meech and Jonathan Ericsson and forwards Justin Abdelkader, Aaron Downey, Mattias Ritola, Mark Hartigan and Tomas Kopecky. … Joanie Plunkett, daughter of Meadville High School hockey coach Jamie Plunkett, is a Penguins’ media relations intern. She attends the University of Pittsburgh.

– Victor Fernandes

* Holmstrom ready?: Detroit winger Tomas Holmstrom (hamstring) is expected to play in Monday night's Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. “He told me he’s playing,” head coach Mike Babcock said. “I don’t usually ask the player. But we’ll see what happens.”
Holmstrom missed Game 4 on Saturday night at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh after having participated in the morning skate. “Obviously we thought he was playing (Saturday) night,” Babcock said. “So we’ll see how he is (today). He’s got a hamstring injury. Sometimes they don’t come as quick as you’d like. He’d really obviously like to play.”

* Banged-up Staal ready: Penguins center Jordan Staal bruised his foot while blocking a shot in Game 4. But he expects to play on Monday. “Yeah, feels fine,” he said. “When I took off my skate (on Saturday), it started swelling up a little. But it feels fine today.”

– Victor Fernandes

* Gonchar ready: Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar appears ready play in tonight’s Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, head coach Michel Therrien said Tuesday. Gonchar left Game 5 on Monday in the second period after an awkward head-first collision into the boards.
“We’re expecting that he’s going to be able to play (today),” Therrien said. “So that’s a good sign.”

* Malone update: Therrien also expects left wing Ryan Malone to play tonight. Malone, already playing with a broken nose, took defenseman Hal Gill’s shot off his nose late in the second. After receiving treatment in the dressing room, Malone returned to the game.
Therrien was unsure if Malone broke his nose again. “But I spoke to him after the game,” Therrien said, “and I’ll put it this way. I’ll be really surprised if he’s not playing.”

* Rave reviews: The Penguins continued to rave about goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury’s 55-save effort in Monday’s triple-overtime win on Tuesday. “He’s been confident,” forward Maxime Talbot said. “For us, I think he’s the reason we’re here.” But they also spoke about helping Fleury.
“We have to be better,” captain Sidney Crosby said. “Obviously he’s got a job to do. But we’d like to make it a little easier on him if we could.”

* A bad feeling: Penguins winger Petr Sykora took a shot between the second and third overtimes in Game 5. Sykora told his teammates he would score the winning goal. Then 9 minutes, 57 seconds into the third overtime, he took another shot – this time, it resulted in that winning goal.
“It was kind of a lucky play,” Sykora said Tuesday. “It hit the ref and went behind the net and Gino, (Evgeni Malkin), got it (and) made a beautiful pass. I tried to put it upstairs, and the puck went in.”
The goal brought back memories of the 2003 Western Conference semifinals for Detroit head coach Mike Babcock. He was Anaheim’s head coach at the time. Sykora was one of his players. Sykora scored the winning goal in the fifth overtime of Game 1 against Dallas.
“Yeah, I totally remember that game,” Sykora said. “It was kind of a similar game. Nothing was really going for me. I (don’t) think I had a scoring chance until the goal I scored.”

– Victor Fernandes

Q. Sidney, how is everyone feeling today with a little sleep, I guess, but probably a lot of adrenalin?
SIDNEY CROSBY: Feel pretty good. I mean, we're happy to still be playing. It was definitely a tough one last night. But we're just happy to really still be playing here.

Q. You said earlier in the season that Gonchar might be one of the least?recognized stars in the League. Can you just talk about, in your mind, what he brings to this team, not on the ice, but in the way he helps you guys in the room and with your maturity and the way you handle things?
SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, I think his personality, he's calm. When you have a calm guy like that, as experienced as he is, I think it's just contagious. Everyone sees that, and they feel the same way.
So when you have a leader such as him who is able to have that quiet sense of confidence, I think it just rubs off on everyone and allows you to feel the same way.

Q. Max, with about two minutes to go in regulation you got into a pretty intense conversation on the bench with Gary Roberts. Can you talk about what he said and just the general leadership he has in your locker room?
MAXIME TALBOT: Obviously when you see a guy like Gary, it was not just at me he was talking, it was more at the bench.
And he was just giving us last words, let's just give it all, leave it on the ice, and do what we can to come back. And it's always a great motivation to have him as a leader beside you, just screaming for you to do something.
He's a true warrior out there. You look at the way he came back, and he's playing right now. He's a great motivation for us.

Q. Can you both touch on this, when you guys win a hockey game like that, you've got guys hurt, it goes on and on and on forever, there's lead changes back and forth. It was one of those gutsy ones. How does that maybe just affect your overall confidence the next time you're in a situation like that against this team?
MAXIME TALBOT: I mean, we've been through that. Not even three overtimes, but I think we've been through a lot all together, the guys, through the season and through the last couple of years.
And you look at ourselves in between periods and stuff, I think everyone was composed. We were having fun out there. It was a fun experience for us. You look at if it's going to happen again, we won this game, so the guys can build off confidence off of it.
SIDNEY CROSBY: I think any time you go through something like that, come out with a win, to see the way everyone kept battling and didn't give up, but it certainly means a lot to everyone.
And having gone through that, I think we're better for it.

Q. When you came to the rink this morning, how did you feel physically?
MAXIME TALBOT: Great. (Smiling.) Yeah, I haven't woke up too long ago. But yes, you go to bed late and you play a lot of hockey, but there's some more hockey to be left, to be played.
So obviously mentally you feel good. And you know that you have to focus on Game 6. And physically you just try to do what's going to make you feel better. But I think physically, it's more mentally than anything, if you can understand what I'm saying. (Laughter.) Because I can't. (Laughter).
I just mean even with long games like that, many times I think your body can take way more than you think. I think it's a mind game. If you're strong mentally, your body's going to follow.
SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, I mean, a longer game, obviously. It feels pretty typical like it would the day after a game. You get here a little later. Everything's a little pushed back. But besides that, just like I said, we're happy to be going on here still.
MAXIME TALBOT: That's what I was trying to say. (Laughter).

Q. A lot of people that aren't familiar with hockey saw Malone and Gonchar take those injuries, and they were probably stunned to see them back on the bench in the third period. What's the creed among hockey players about coming back with significant injuries like that? What's it do for you guys, does it lift you?
SIDNEY CROSBY: I think we all know what's on the line. And if you can move, and if you can help your team, you're going to do whatever it takes to go out there and do it.
So for sure those are some serious things. But at the same time, the amount of work and effort that you've put in to get to this point, you don't want to let it go. And guys are willing to do whatever it takes.
So it's definitely a boost to see guys come back. You never like to see them go down like that. When they come back, you see they're all right, it definitely lifts everyone, I think.

Q. Can you appreciate sort of the magnitude of the series and the higher?than?expected ratings, and it's sort of viewed as a classic? When you're playing this can you appreciate that? Is there too much about the competition for you guys?
MAXIME TALBOT: I don't think as a player you think about it too much right now. You try to focus on the prize, and you try to focus on playing hockey.
Yes, I think they're exciting games. It's an exciting series. But I think we're going to realize a little bit more when we all look back at it. Right now we're just focusing on what we have to do and try to think about Game 6. Yes, it's fun, but one game at a time. And I think I'm going to enjoy it way more this summer after everything's done.

Q. Max, how did Sykora go about making his big prediction, and what was the reaction in the locker room when he did it?
MAXIME TALBOT: It's exciting when you see it really happens. But in between periods when you hear guys saying that, you know Petr scored a couple of big goals in his career in Anaheim and stuff.
When a guy like that steps out and says: I think I got one guys. You look at him, and you hope he's saying the truth.
When it happens, you can't believe it. You're like: Oh, my God, he called for it (smiling) and it was great. It's a great story to tell.

Q. Can you both talk about your goalie? If it wasn't for him, this series might be over last night?
SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, he was just making save after save. And obviously you're happy to see him make those saves. But you don't want to force him into that position all the time either.
So he really was the savior for us last night. They were pressing really hard, especially the third and the first overtime. And time after time he was answering the call there.
So it was great to see. And no doubt, without him, we'd be in a different scenario here today.

Q. Would you say that's the greatest goaltending performance you guys have ever seen, ever been involved with?
MAXIME TALBOT: I can say that. For me, it was one of the greatest games. I've known Mark very well, and that's the greatest game he ever played. It was probably one of the greatest saves I've seen in the second period against Samuelsson. The toe saves.
You look at him, and he's having fun in that. But he was so good last night. So it was inspiring for us.

Q. Max, could you describe Marc?Andre as a person so hockey fans might understand what he's like?
MAXIME TALBOT: He's a fun guy, obviously. He always has a smile on his face. Sometimes you look at goalies that are just going to be so focused and won't talk to anyone or anything.
Mark is not like that. He has fun before games, after games. He's always upbeat. Always have something funny to say. And he's having a smile on his face. That's when he's the best. When he's loose, and when he's having fun. And this year, the way he came back from his injury, has been really unbelievable. And he's been confident. And for us, I think it's the reason we're here.
But as a person, he's just a great friend and a good guy.

Q. Can you imagine what it would feel like and try to recover from losing a game when you were 34 seconds away from winning the Stanley Cup?
SIDNEY CROSBY: I try not to think about that scenario, to be honest. I don't think we're really thinking about if we were them. We're more focused on us. And we're in the same position we were going into last game. So our focus is on just playing desperate, and that's it.

Q. Max, they actually took the Cup out of that container last night with a few minutes left, which they always do when a team gets close. Was there a sense that was happening or are you just too focused on trying to stay alive at that point?
MAXIME TALBOT: You're too focused. You hear the crowd a little bit, we won the Cup, stuff like that. But you don't think about the Cup's in the hallway and everything.
You just think about, you know, getting the job done. And we still had work to do. And we got on the ice, and we did it; we came back.
But it's nice to talk about the game and everything. But it won't mean anything if we don't win Game 6. So yes, you think about this, but on the other hand there's still a lot of work to do.

Q. You talked about, Sidney and Max, how good Marc?Andre was yesterday and how he was the savior; was there a sense that the team needs to pay him back, and he played the greatest game of his career last night, perhaps you guys have to pay him back with the same, because obviously the Red Wings are pressing?
SIDNEY CROSBY: We have to be better. We did a good job, I thought, especially in the first two periods of playing the way we wanted to, and we got away with it. We got away from it for one period, and everything changed in a hurry.
So it's a wake?up call, so to speak. We're still here, still battling, and we still have an opportunity here. So we have to learn from that quickly and make sure that we don't put him in a position like that.
And obviously, he's got a job to do. But we'd like to make it a little easier on him if we could.

Q. Can you give us an update on Sergei Gonchar and where he's at and what the expectation is for him for tomorrow night?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: We're expecting that he's going to be able to play tomorrow. So that's a good sign.

Q. Secondly, asking the guys what it's like physically to come here after a game like that. What's it like for you? You come down to the rink today and you reflect on last night, what goes through your mind? What are you feeling today?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: Obviously it's a great feeling to come to the rink and work for Game 6. It was a character win, there's no doubt about that. And I give a lot of confidence to the players to approach our next game in a building that we're comfortable to play.
In the meantime, it's like we're still focusing on Game 6. So there's a lot of work to be done.

Q. You had a lot of options in the final minute of regulation, which extra attacker you would want on the ice, why is Talbot out in those situations?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: Just love the way that he played last night. The time he was on the ice, he was doing the right thing. And as a coach, you have to see those things. And he was good defensively as well. He was around the puck, around it at the right time.
And it's a feeling, too, that coaches need to have at that time. And certainly he deserved to be there, and probably scored in the most important game of his career.

Q. Was that one of the greatest goaltending expeditions you've ever witnessed?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: I played with Patrick Roy a few years ago. In 1985 he was pretty good at that time. But definitely Marc?Andre was phenomenal. What are you going to say about it? He made some key saves after key save in overtime, giving us a chance to hang in there.
They were pushing the envelope pretty big in the third period. And a few times in overtime. And he gave us a chance to win. Now he was just phenomenal.

Q. Mike, the willingness for Sergei Gonchar to play hurt at the end of the game and the competitiveness he has, is that something you feel is now coming into light for a national audience, that because of his demeanor people don't necessarily equate to him?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: Well, he's an important part of this hockey team, there's no doubt about that. And obviously after the hit to the board that he took, he was not in a position to compete five?on?five. He had some back spasm. And the medical staff worked on him the rest of the game, and they came to see us before the third overtime that he felt pretty good.
But in the meantime, as a coach you have to ask the right question. Is he capable to stop and start? Is he able to compete in front of the net?
So they were not in a position to tell us that he was going to be able to compete around the net.
You don't want to put your team in a tough position that we're facing, and put the players in such a tough position like he was. So we decide we're going to keep him on the bench, and if there's a power play, we're going to use him in a power play, because he's such an important part of that power play. He's the one carrying the puck. He's the one making the right play. And obviously it paid off with a big goal.

Q. The situation with Ryan Malone, is his nose broken? Is he fine to go tomorrow night?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: He's going to pass some tests this afternoon. We're not quite sure yet. But I spoke to him after the game, and I'll put it this way, I'll be really surprised if he's not playing.

Q. When you said passed some tests, is that just x?rays?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: That's right.

Q. A couple times in this series you've taken some criticism. You had to answer a ton of questions about people's ice time and combinations and when you're using people and I think been under fire at times. For you to win that game the way your team won that game and for the adjustments you've made to have worked, and I know the big picture is more important, but is there a certain redemption in it for you that what you did worked?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: You know what, it's not about me. It's about my team. It's about my players, and it's about our plan. So I respect opinions from people. I've got my own, and we've got our plan, and we're going to stick to our plan.

Q. The Sykora?Malkin line seemed to come on in overtime for you, maybe late in the third, as well. Maybe that was something that was lacking somewhat up to that point in the Final. If you get that line going consistently, how does that change things for you option?wise?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: It's huge. We need those players to be able to perform both sides of the ice. This is what playoffs is all about.
You've got to make sure you're strong defensively, you're strong on the puck. In the meantime, you have to be able to produce at the right time, and I like that line with Ruutu in overtime. And we were rotating four line, because there's no TV timeout. And both teams was rotating their fourth line. It's really demanding on the players, and they played really well in the overtime.

Q. If your team plays the same way in Game 6 as it did last night, do you think that's enough to win?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: That's a game that could have gone both sides. Honestly, Fleury made some key saves. Yeah, it's really a character game we played. I like the way we start the first two periods. Osgood made some key saves for them, because we could have put that game away early in the second period. We got some tremendous, great scoring chances. They really pushed it in the third period.
But like Game 4, I said that it could have gone both ways. Yesterday, it could have gone both ways, too, as well. So one thing is important that we still get a lot of work to be done. Confidence?wise, no doubt, it's a huge confidence builder for that young team, to be able to win in that building. And especially the way that we played our two first games.
And we're just going to concentrate on Game 6. Let's make sure, this our last game in Pittsburgh, and we're going to have to really make sure it's going to be pretty special.

Q. You guys have fought through adversity throughout the regular season with injuries, with the slow start. What was the sense you got on the bench when the Red Wings took the lead yesterday? Was it a sense of calmness on your bench because these guys knew they could fight through that stuff?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: Like you said, we've been through a lot of adversity through the course of the season. And sometimes you could face adversity through the course of games, and help you in the past that you were capable to accomplish big things, accomplish big come?backs. And this is a team that always did that, and not only in the regular season, at times maybe in the playoffs.
But I got the feeling that there was no panicking. We needed a break. We got the break. We got that loose puck around the net when Talbot scored the tying goal.
And you need breaks to win hockey games. And there's no doubt yesterday, that was a break that we got.

Q. You talked about the confidence that your team can build from a win like that. Can you talk specifically about the fact that you came from behind on them, because you hadn't been able to do that yet. And if you happened to not score the first goal in the next game, how just having done that, maybe changes the way the players will be feeling about it?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: Emotionally it was a tough game, too, to play, because we got such a great start. And the confidence was there. They pushed the envelope. Now we're trailing by one goal. And a few mistakes that we're doing. So it was kind of a roller coaster. But you have to make sure you keep your composure when things don't go your way.
We called a timeout to settle down the players to make sure they were focused. It didn't work well at that time, because they ended up scoring the third goal.
But it's about believing. You have to believe you're capable to do what you're supposed to do. If you keep working, and if you keep focusing on their structure, good things are going to happen.

Q. Marc?Andre, someone was telling me that you might have given Al the octopus guy a little squirt with water just as he was doing his twirling thing. If that's the case, can you describe what the deal was with that?
MARC?ANDRE FLEURY: It was an accident. I just missed my mouth by a little bit. (Laughter) Yep. I don't know, it was just at the game he does it to us. And after the first two games, I thought I'll give him a little something back. And we won, so it's good.

Q. When you came down to the rink today, how did you feel physically? What's it like to come back to the rink after a game like that?
PETR SYKORA: Well, I think after coming away with a win like that. You feel great. I think mentally you're back in it. And I think we have to just go back to the same focus and the same mind?set, like we were before game 5. And I think we all know what we're going to play for tomorrow. Nothing changes.
We have to win. And I think the building is going to be rocking, and I think we all are excited and hopefully we can get it done tomorrow night.

Q. Petr, you've known Gonchar a long time. Can you talk a little bit about how much this means to him and what he brings to the team off the ice, what kind of influence he has on all of these guys, including yourself, off the ice?
PETR SYKORA: I know you gave me this question last night, and I didn't answer, so I knew it was coming.
He is, he's a quiet guy. But his way of playing speaks for itself. He's our best defenseman. He plays the most minutes. He quietly got 65 points again this season. And without him, our power play wouldn't be playing the way it is.
And he's a great guy. He's got a lot of good influence on a lot of young players. And he took care of me when I went to Russia during the lockout year. And I got nothing, just great things to say about him.

Q. You guys have been good all year at putting games behind you and moving on. When you have a game as dramatic as that one, how do you put it behind you and move on quickly for Game 6?
PETR SYKORA: Well, I think the most important thing is don't think we're going to come tomorrow, and it's going to go our way right away.
I think we have to have the mind?set of go back to our system, just play very smart hockey. I think the huge thing in playoffs is to come out with the lead. Even they got back to the game last game, because I felt in the third we were kind of flat out there.
But I think we played very smart in the first and second. We didn't really give them a lot of odd?man rushes. And I think for us the key is to play 0-0 hockey, and wait for our power play chances or wait for a turnover and try to get a lead. And I think the mind?set should be like that for tomorrow night's game.

Q. Marc?Andre, why does Max seem to beat you up before the start of every game and every period, what's all that fighting about?
MARC?ANDRE FLEURY: I don't know. It's just when I first came back, we just kind of started with one punch. And things got, been going for a while, got some wins and now we're going at it. Sometimes threw a couple more.
It's getting a little ridiculous, but ? (Laughter) but still working on it, that's it.

Q. Petr, do you feel like you guys end up winning the game last night, but do you guys feel like as a team you kind of saved the game for you and everyone is going to have to step it up for Game 6? Marc?Andre, do you think you have another performance like that in you?
MARC?ANDRE FLEURY: I think I'll just go one game at a time. And it's great that we got that win last night. And I think everybody's looking forward to the next one tomorrow. And as for myself, I'll be ready. And I'm sure everybody in the room will be ready also. And we just won't quit. We're going to go hard and try to get that win again.
PETR SYKORA: Well, I think we got the momentum going right now. And we can't get too high. We have to, like I said in the previous answer, is just really get to the calm stage like before Game 5. And nothing really changes for us.
I think I know for them they kind of had it in their pocket, and it was going to be hard for them to get up for the game, too. So I think it's going to be a huge game. I think the preparation is going to be the same for us. And like I said before, it can't get any better than to be up for games like that. And I think it's a lot of fun. I can't wait for tomorrow night, because the building's going to be really loud here.
And it's always fun to play big games and to be playing at home. And I just can't wait to play tomorrow night.

Q. Petr, I can only imagine what it feels like, what it felt like on the bench when Detroit comes back, and then they take the lead. And I mean, they've been pretty lights?out with the lead. For you guys to finally erase a deficit of theirs and come back against them, what does that do for your confidence on the bench, maybe if they score first next time, maybe you don't get up, what does it do for your confidence when you're in that situation again?
PETR SYKORA: I think coming out of those first couple of games playing there, we couldn't get a goal, we couldn't get a scoring chance. I think for us to come up for Game 5 and score a couple of goals and them being down 3?2, then come up with a goal 25 seconds left in the game or whatever it was, I think it's huge.
I think it's huge for all of us to know that we can create in Detroit in that building, because it's very hard to play there. We can get some goals. And I think that's really ? I think we can carry the confidence to tomorrow night's game, too. Just to get the momentum. It's not very easy to play there.
I've been playing there a lot of games before and they are very good puck management team. Sometimes it feels like you don't touch the puck for the whole game, they don't give you anything. For us to create ? I think we created a lot of chances last night. And came up with the three goals, very important goals. And then overtime. I think that can really give us a confidence boost.

Q. Petr, can you just talk a little bit about your prediction and what made you predict that you were going to score the winning goal, and the feeling that you had when you did score it?
PETR SYKORA: It happens like that, because I haven't touched the puck the whole game. Nothing was coming to me. I didn't have a real shot on that. I didn't have a scoring chance. I went through this before. The overtime in Dallas, I probably didn't have a shot on that either.
And I know the puck is going to come in. It was a long game, so like it had to happen. And I think both of us, Geno, we were struggling offensively. And Geno had a pretty big scoring chance in the first overtime, and he had that good shot. And Osgood made a save.
And I just kind of ? I just kind of want to get a little looser. I didn't feel I was going to score, but just to get a little looser out there and make a comment like that, get the guys a little laugh in the locker room. And I'm not complaining that it worked.

Q. Marc?Andre, the guys were talking about Sid and Max said the series would be over if it wasn't for you. Do you think this is the greatest game you've ever played?
MARC?ANDRE FLEURY: I think so. It was certainly the toughest and the longest, but it was just a great feeling, though, to come out with the win at the end there.

Q. Petr, you mentioned that you were struggling and it wasn't going your way for most of this series. For you personally, what does a goal like that do? Do you now feel like you personally are now back in this series?
PETR SYKORA: Well, obviously you feel so much better. Sometimes a goal like that can really get you going. But you know what, I didn't really not care, but I didn't really worry about the scoring. Right now my focus is just to win.
I've been in the Finals the last couple of times, and I came up short. I'm just very happy that this goal kind of gave us a chance and gave us another day to live, basically.
And I felt if you can come up with that win last night and get that Game 6 here in Pitt, and we play well at home, that we could have a chance to go back there. And, yeah, obviously it felt good. It's something very special when you can get an overtime goal in the Stanley Cup playoffs, especially in the Finals.
And I was confident before, just nothing really was coming to me. And I felt that Geno had a strong game, too. And for us to be successful as a team, coming for tomorrow night's game and get a win, I think me and Geno, we have to come up with some offense again. And I think that was a good start last night.

Q. When the puck is on the other end of the ice or between periods, or, Petr, between shifts, are you guys able to take a step back at all and appreciate how entertaining this series has been, or how entertaining that game is?
MARC?ANDRE FLEURY: Yeah, I think we had lots of time last night; the game was so long for us all. But at the same time you don't want to get carried away.
You just want to try to keep doing your job, and for me, just to try to make that next save, try to keep the game going fast. But at the same time, though, it's good work what we're doing right now, we're in the Stanley Cup Final. And we're not done here, so it's been pretty good.

Q. You guys have been doing this all year, coming from behind. You're probably the best come?from?behind team in hockey. Going back to Ottawa game in November, the western road trip where you came back in a couple of games, you had a Capitals game you were down 2?0 late and you scored two. How did that regular season, you did this so many times in the regular season, how did that help you last night?
PETR SYKORA: I don't really know, but when I look at our team, I think we have a lot of guys who can put the puck in the net. I think we can put pressure on the teams when we need to, because we don't just have a one line who can score goals. We can really have some pressure going with the three lines.
And I think it always seems at the right time the people who you don't expect to score come up with a huge goal. And I can't say enough about Max, the way he's played in the playoffs, came off with a huge goal last night to tie the game. There is different times, different players come up with those big goals. And I think that's a sign of a good team. And it's fun to be part of it.

Q. How do you physically recover from a long game like that, whether you win or lose, how tough is that physically on a team?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: You know, what I did is I had Jim Peck, one of our minor league coaches, post everybody's ice time head?to?head to see how it was. The ice times were pretty even.
So we've both been through the same thing. So there's no sense worrying about that part. To me it's not a physical thing anyway. It's a mental thing.
When we got up this morning, as tough as it was at times last night. We are up 3?2 in the Stanley Cup Final and let's get ready.

Q. Mentally, how tough is it? It's not like any other loss when you're that close to sipping from the Cup?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: We lost, and I guess the way I look at it, you never expect it to be easy. You knew it was going to be a battle, and it is. We've got a new day tomorrow here, and let's get prepared for it.

Q. A couple of years ago Pavel Datsyuk went through a long streak unable to score goals in the playoffs. Can you comment on where his game is at now and what changed for him?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: Well, we talked about this. Pavel is a fantastic player. But have you noticed in the Final, a lot of players, there's not a lot of room to score.
So you just want to score at the right time. You want to score enough to win. And he scored a big goal yesterday to tie the game at 2. Unfortunately we weren't unable to get it done. But in saying that, I mean, he's just a real good player in all situations. Real important part of our team, and understands what's winning all is about.
And I think that's his focus much more than on who scores the goals is do we win or not.

Q. At the same time, there were people saying this guy is just not a playoff performer, 26, 28 goals. The reality is he, is a playoff player?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: He's an elite, elite player. And it's hard to score at playoff time. When you're a good player, they're all over you, and you're all over them. There's no room.
And when we go through the game, it reminds me a lot of Game 5 against Dallas. We had 57 shots on net. We missed the net 41 other times. If you just do the math there, we had our fair share of opportunity. It didn't go in. And so you move on with it.
But I think the good players, they have a resolve and understanding and stick?to?itiveness. And they know they're going to score. It's just a matter of whether you give them the time or not.

Q. Did Marc?Andre Fleury show you guys anything that you weren't prepared for or anything, especially after the first two games in Detroit with all the saves, all the shots you threw at him?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: He's a good athlete. He's a good player. I think both goalies in this series have had their moments. I would have liked to have seen us hit the goalie more.
He's a big goalie. Sometimes you try to be too fine. Don't be fine, just shoot it at him. There's a four?by?six there. Hit it as many times as you can, there will be second chances.

Q. After six periods last night, what did you tell your guys in the locker room after the game and what do you tell them going into the next one?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I said at the press conference, I don't talk after we win or after we lose. That's not a problem for me. I didn't have to think of anything.
Today what we did is we had basically a total optional at the rink. Guys got home late last night. So we're going to meet here. We said when the bus arrived they had 45 minutes. We'll get together, and we'll just clear our mind and prepare.

Q. What's that like knowing that they took that trophy out and it was sitting there and seconds are clicking and ?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: It's nice to be close to it. (Smiling) Be nicer to have it.
What can I tell you? It's a game, like all games. You have to do good things. We had the puck at the red line with one minute left, bounced over one of our sticks. We had the puck in our own zone with 35, 38 seconds, whatever it was. We didn't execute in that situation. That's also part of the game.
In their building the previous game they had a five?on?three. We were able to survive, and win that game. And I think that's how fine a line it is. And last night I thought we were nervous nellies for about 30 minutes. I've never seen us not pass the puck. They had nine scoring chances on turnovers by us.
Don't take anything away from them. They played well and turnovers are ? pass the puck. So we've been through that. We have seen it. It didn't help us. Let's get all the activities we're supposed to do with our families over with today by 6:00, and let's get ready to play hockey tomorrow.

Q. Are you able to appreciate how entertaining the series has become, and how it might look on TV? There's just been so many shifts and momentum and dramatic saves, the whole bit?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: We stand there quite a bit as the coaching staff saying, it's pretty fast out there. There's stretches it goes. And there's good players, and they're playing both ways, and there's good opportunities. And the goalies have been good. It's interesting, both power plays at times look just awful.
But maybe that's because there's good penalty kill. So when you go through it, it's kind of what we expected going in. And it's exciting to be a part of it.
I said to someone ? well, the other day ? Aaron Tietz is a guy who works in Anaheim. He sent me an e?mail the other day, and he told me that I had told him before Game 7 the last time we were in the Stanley Cup, to make sure you take it all in. Enjoy the whole thing.
I think that's what you have to do. You have to enjoy it while you're here. Everyone else is at home wanting to be here. A little more meal money, that's all that happened here. (Laughter).

Q. The goaltender interference calls, the second one in particular, the guy going into the net, your thoughts?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I don't know what I'm supposed to say here. I don't have any idea.

Q. What's your response to it, though?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I don't have any idea. What do you say? If you were me sitting here, tell me, what would you say?

Q. No one cares what I think.
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I think it's pretty evident they don't care what I think either. We talk about scoring goals. I'll jump on the soap box. We talk about scoring more goals in the National Hockey League. We want more goals. No they don't; don't tell me that. I've never seen anything like that in my whole life.

Q. Do you intend on having a conversation with the League about that?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: Zero. Just had it. (Laughter) I'm going to try what the other guy has been trying all series.

Q. Do you expect to hear from the League now that you've said this?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: No, I don't expect ? they saw the game, too. Two guys driving the net. Come on. We must be going to the next thing. I must have caused enough trouble.

Q. Last night as your guys were leaving the room, I got the sense that it wasn't an emotional let?down as much as it was anger. Is that your evaluation on that as well or no?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: Disappointment. I think the disappointment phase ends about 15 minutes when you're out of the room. For me it was when I got home, talked to my wife for a second, she was disappointed too. Like I said, when you get up in the morning, the sun gets up, and so do we and we're up 3?2, let's play.
I said this last night, I'll say it again. I'm a real big believer, if you do good things, good things happen. Just keep doing them.
When I go through our game last night, I didn't like our start, but I liked a lot of parts about it. I liked our opportunity. Let's do it again. Let's do it a little better.

Q. Can you talk about Helm and just the energy that he brought last night. Seemed to make his linemates better, too. How much has he surprised you during this whole playoff run?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: He's been good, but I think if you look at the role players for them and the role players for us, they don't play as much. They have more energy. I thought they were both ? for both sides real effective in the game last night. Partly because of that, but maybe partly because they're not under the same scrutiny as a guy like Pavel would be or a guy like Crosby. There's more room for them.
And he's a good kid. He can really skate. Looks to me like he's got good hockey sense and has a chance to develop into a real good player.

Q. Your description of the final minute obviously suggests you've thought about it a couple of times. Heading into the next game, I know about the cliches, but just these players are human beings. Do you worry at all that there's going to be any kind of impact from maybe being so close, spilling over into the beginning of the next game and being on the road, does that help at all?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I think being on the road is a great thing. We've closed out every series on the road. As far as carry?over from that, it's a lesson learned. They're good players. It won't happen again. Sometimes you need to be reminded.

Q. Coach, can you talk about how proud you are, as a head coach, of the effort that your guys showed in Game 5, you had guys with broken noses and injuries, and seeing them come back and Max making the goal, is that the most proud you've been of a team in your coaching career?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: They showed a lot of character, there's no doubt about that. And they see the prize. There's a lot of sacrifice. It's nice to get the reward, and they deserve it. It was a game that could go to both sides. We capitalized on the power play. And we get a high stick in the face.
But there's no doubt, this is a team that faced adversity through the course of the season. And it was not any different last game.

Q. Any lineup changes?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: No, the same, yes.

Q. Mike Babcock yesterday was critical of the two goaltender interference calls in overtime. And he made a comment where he said: Maybe I'll just try to do what the other guy is doing, in reference to complaining about the call to the media. Is that part of the gamesmanship coaches go through at this time, just trying to get an edge?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: This morning I'm trying to walk around, introduce myself. I'm the other guy, I guess (smiling). The complaining ? there's two different things. Mike's complaining about calls. And we've complained about the non?calls. So that's two different things.
And we've been told at the beginning of the series that they're going to protect the goalie. Obviously, you know, he didn't have any complaint when Osgood got bumped and he fell down on Ryan Malone, I think it was Game 1 or Game 2, I can't remember. Didn't hear any complaint.
We're complaining about obstruction, and we're complaining about interference. It's two different things. And you have to go with the book. And this is what was supposed to be called, and there's times where we thought they were non?calls. And we believe that we were right.
So it's part of the frustration, I guess.

Q. Is there a chance we'll see the same power play unit together, configured the way it was, that scored the game?winner?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: When you get into your third overtime, the number one thing you want to make sure you've got fresh players on the ice. And, yes, we're capable to have two units, like they do. They're capable to have two units as well.
It's a brand new game. And our focus has to be on tonight's game. I can't tell you right now if we're going to go with two units or one unit.

Q. With Fleury being so solid throughout the series, especially in the last game, does it influence how aggressive you're going to be knowing that he can come with a big save if he really needs to?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: Not really. You want to make sure you're solid in front of your goalie. That's the number one priority as a team, and you can't leave your goalie by himself. But there's no doubt, he gave us a huge, huge chance to win the last game. And it puts players with a lot of confidence when you see a goalie make those key saves like he did.

Q. A lot has been made about the mental aspect of the game thus far in the series. How do you encourage your players to forget about the emotional high of Game 5 and get back and be zoned in as they were at the start of Game 5?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: We're going to need to have the same approach that we had in Game 5, concentration, paying attention to detail. The first half of the game we were really, really sharp. And we couldn't put the game away. Osgood was good. And he made some key saves for the Red Wings.
But at this time the mental part of this year is crucial. Even if the emotion was high after the last game, and I'm sure they were pretty frustrated about being 30 seconds away to win the Stanley Cup, they must have been pretty down. But you have to try to find the right balance.
So as a coach you have to concentrate about the technical part of the game to make sure the players are really focused on the game.

Q. Two questions about Gonchar. Can you talk about how he's feeling and how he may or may not be limited tonight; and secondly, how important is he to this team? He's that one elite defenseman that you've got?
COACH MICHEL THERRIEN: He's a big part of the success of this hockey team. And we were glad that we were capable to use him on the power play at the end, because we got two power play on the floor and it was not working well for us. He's a big part of it. And he should be all right to play tonight.

Q. Sid, how much do you believe in momentum and it being a tangible thing, and do you carry what you did over from Monday night into this one?

SIDNEY CROSBY: I believe momentum, but I think more so being at home. I think it's always a little bit more of an advantage to be at home, and especially in the playoffs and later parts of the series. It's always nice to have that home ice, that boost.

So I would say a little more of us being at home is something that we're eager to have right now.

Q. Can you just talk a little bit about two of your teammates that are hurt and struggling a little bit, but are going to play tonight, Gonchar and Malone?

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, I think those guys have certainly played through some tough injuries there, and I've said it before, but it doesn't really surprise me. Every guy on our team is willing to do whatever it takes to win, play through what it takes. Unless they're physically not able to go out there and do what they can, they're going to be out there. So that's just part of the playoffs, and you play through injuries.

Q. Jordan Staal said you've been joking about this with each other, when they bring the Stanley Cup in the room and they put the champagne in it, you're both under the legal age, are they going to let you have a drink?

SIDNEY CROSBY: I don't know. We'll worry about it if the time comes. But we've still got a ways to go yet.

Q. You guys are playing in the Stanley Cup Final two years after you were 29th in a 30 team league. It's an amazing progression in two years. Can you talk about that?

SIDNEY CROSBY: Yeah, I think we've been fortunate enough to just have the right pieces. We have young guys who have been pretty successful early on, and we've had a great mix of veterans to lead the way, and especially this year, added some pieces in the trade deadline to help our team as well. I think we've tried to fast track the learning curve as far as the younger guys are concerned. We have great older guys to show the way and a great mix of players.

Q. Sidney, a lot of goalies on game days, a game like this, would never talk to the media, but Marc-Andre was just yacking in the dressing room, seems to be willing to chat at almost any time about anything. You've gotten to know him over the last couple of years. Can you give me an example of what kind of guy he's like?

SIDNEY CROSBY: He's an easy-going guy. I would say example would be Game 1 when he falls coming out the door. If that happens to anyone else, they're embarrassed. They don't know what to say. And of any guy we were saying, talking about it afterwards, it's the best guy for it to happen to because he doesn't really care. He's an easy going guy. He'd laughs at himself and moves on. So he's just an easy going guy. He's always laughing, joking around. And what you see is what you get with him.

Q. How does an effort like the one you got from Fleury the other night trickle down to the rest of the team, even while you're on the ice during that game, can you carry it over?

SIDNEY CROSBY: I think it just gives you a sense of confidence when your goaltender is that strong. You know he's going to be there to make key saves. And he just gives you that extra boost, I think. And I think like you said, it feeds to everyone else. And gives you a certain sense of confidence. So we have that especially with him back there.

Q. Can you give us a feel for your mind-set, like last night, easy to fall asleep? Difficult? And how about waking up this morning, do you beat your alarm clock and let's go and here we go again?

SIDNEY CROSBY: No, it was okay falling asleep last night. It was a bit of a long one the night before. No, just another situation, basically the same as last game.

You go with the same preparation and your mind-set is the same, as far as I'm concerned, it is for me. We're facing elimination, and we're in the same situation we were in Game 5. So just go with everything the same and try to prepare the same way, and I would say it's pretty much business as usual.

Q. This morning Jacques Demers, former Montreal coach, commented on your teammate Marc-Andre, compared him to a former great Patrick Roy. And he said he's starting to see the series turn to the Penguins favor. How do you react to that, having your teammate compared to Patrick Roy?

SIDNEY CROSBY: It's a compliment for Mark, obviously. He coached Patrick, so if anyone knows him, it would be him. It's a great compliment, I'm sure. Mark takes everything in stride, so he'll take it in stride. But I think him personally, and us as a team, we still have a ways to go here. So it's a great compliment for Mark, and he has been playing great.

He deserves all the praise he gets, because he's been a big part of us getting this far.

Q. In your mind, is there any relevance at all to what happened with Detroit in the previous series, they lost at Game 5, Dallas went home with all kinds of momentum and were behind 3-0 before they could blink their eyes. Is that completely irrelevant because it wasn't your team they were playing or is there something to be weary of there?

SIDNEY CROSBY: I think you have to be aware of that, as far as making sure that you erase the last game and get ready for this one. That's the most important thing. So we've done that, and we realize that, like I said earlier, we're in the same position we were in Game 5.

We're at home, and we want to make sure we use that to our advantage. And that's basically it. I don't think our mind-set changes.

Q. Mike Babcock said the Red Wings played like nervous nellies in the first 20 minutes of Game 5 last night. I gotta assume they won't play like that tonight. How do you guys make sure that you still own that first period like you have in the couple of games this series?

SIDNEY CROSBY: We've just got to make sure we move our feet early on. I've said it all series long, but when we move our feet, we're a different team. We're reacting. We're not thinking out there. We're not hesitant. So being at home, I think that helps. You have a little more energy. And I think moving your feet is a key for us, and we have to have the mentality to attack and get on pucks. And if we do that, we're fine.

Q. Can you just talk about the atmosphere of the skate this morning? Did you think the guys looked pretty loose?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: Yeah, I mean, I thought they were fine. But I haven't rated that all year, the last three years or any of that, not a big believer that the pregame skate has a whole lot of impact in the outcome of the game.

Q. It's been clear throughout the year you guys remained level headed, is that more than anything else the signature of this team, they just never let anything get to them really too much?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: Well, I wouldn't say that at the start of the last game. At the start of the last game we were nervous, no question about it.
And I'm glad we're through that process. And now we have an opportunity, understanding what we did last game, that we don't want to allow that to happen. We want to get started on time, and just be the team we're capable of being. And I think it's very important that I've said this many times just stay in the process. Focus on the things we do, the foundation of our game, and everything else will look after itself.

Q. Is it fair to say that, and maybe looking to Game 6 against Dallas there that your team, in these kinds of situations, rather than being a superly emotional and aggressively emotional team, tends to rely on the system and sort of the efficiency that you guys deal with when you're at your best?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: We don't call it the system. I mean, we rely on three things: work ethic, first; structure, second; and skill, third. And you gotta have the work ethic and the composure first, and then you always count on everybody doing their job.
I think that's what structure is in the system. Just do your part. You can't do it all yourself. Just do your part. And be under control. And I'm optimistic that we're going to be like that tonight. We've been a determined group all year long, and that's what we plan on being here tonight.

Q. Henrik Zetterberg just became the franchise leader in playoff points in the season. I'm curious if you can talk to us a little bit about the offense is just part of his game. Talk to us about his commitment to the two way game and his skill level at the two way game?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I think all the great players that end up playing at this time of the year that are great players are that. They have to be, because your team doesn't get in order for you to set something like Hank just did, your team has to play a long time. In order to play a long time, you have to be good without the puck.
And I think that's evident. They're good players, too. Their good players have been good defensively.

Q. Have you calmed down the nervous nellies in last night's meeting, and can you use the last two goals they scored as motivation going into the first period?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I think we had calmed down by the end of the first period last game, or maybe after the first two shifts of the second. I thought we got planned. So that wasn't an issue after that. But I also think being through it, having the opportunity to go home and then get regrouped and understand what you just did, now you want to be better.
And the second part was the two goals?

Q. Motivation.
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I think there's so much motivation here right now. It's not like you need anything more. Our players and their players are going to be ready to play tonight. There's no question about that. You gotta be under control. It's not like you gotta jack them up to play here.
They know what's on the line. They understand. And so it's being under control and doing what you do.

Q. It's been a while since there's been a Stanley Cup playoff here in Pittsburgh. I just wondered what your impressions were about, generally, the atmosphere in the building?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I think, number one, the town's really nice. The NHL was here for the draft, I don't know what year that was.

Q. '97.
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: '97. And it was nice. But I mean, they've done an unbelievable job with the city. And obviously Mario and his group, keeping the team here, and the new rink coming and the franchise type players and the youth they have here, and marquee names to sell a franchise, it's a great situation. And the people are excited about their team.
And I think it's fantastic for them. They had really great teams here for a number of years. Things weren't so good for a while. And it's great to see them back and the city looking like it does.

Q. With 58 shots, you only get three goals; was it Marc Andre Fleury or are you doing something that you're not doing to get the puck past him?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: Two things, I'm not a big believer in letting the goalie outplay you. I think when you do, you have to look at yourself and make sure it doesn't happen again. We can't miss the net 41 times like we did.
Pound it off him, get a second chance. They're doing a good job trying to box out, and we have to make sure we're going there and being relentless at their net. And that will be our focus and our plan.

Q. Are you able to appreciate what this series is doing for the game of hockey right now? I think Game 5 was up 111% over a year ago. The numbers in Detroit were on top of the roof, whatever you want to say, are you able to appreciate what the series is doing for the game?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: I'm trying to appreciate everything about it. And what I mean by that is enjoy everything about what's going on and taking it all in. I believe the people in the media, the referees, the coaches, the players, the League, we're all in charge of selling the game.
I'm a big believer in that. And the better job we do selling the game, the more of us get to work in it and the better the game is.
And so I think it's obviously really good for Detroit. You see what's going on in Pittsburgh. The cab driver on the way over here today thanked us, not just because he's a Pittsburgh fan, but the fact that he's going to make more money. And I see that every day when I walk into the rink, the ladies there that are cleaning up all the time always say: Coach, good job, let's keep playing. They get to feed their kids by doing that. And I think that's important.
It's good for our communities, but it's good for the League, and that's positive.

Q. Are your guys rested and recovered and are you hydrated and renourished going into tonight?
COACH MIKE BABCOCK: Sure. I think that's the greatest thing about our sport, is you play in the Super Bowl, you get two weeks to prepare. You play the one game. And in our sport, when your legs are falling off, you just keep playing, doesn't matter. You keep eating and drinking and playing.
And there's a pride that I think comes with it that you just keep doing it. And the more you hurt, the harder you play. It doesn't matter, just keep playing. And no one cares how many minutes you played or how much fluid you lost, we just gotta play and play well, and that's the plan.

PITTSBURGH – Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar is expected to play in tonight’s Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final at Mellon Arena. Gonchar left Game 5 on Monday in the second period after an awkward head-first collision into the boards. But he returned in the third overtime for the power-play chance that led to right wing Petr Sykora’s game-winning goal.
“He should be all right to play tonight,” head coach Michel Therrien said. “He’s a big part of the success of this hockey team. We were glad that we were capable to use him on the power play at the end.”
Penguins winger Ryan Malone also is expected to play tonight, two nights after being struck on an already broken nose late in the second period of Game 5. He suffered only cuts and bruises, not any facial fractures, from being hit by teammate Hal Gill’s shot.
“It’s not too bad – knock on wood,” Malone said following this morning’s workout. “It could have been a lot worse. So I’m definitely thankful.”

– Victor Fernandes

* By the numbers – Cup style: The four Stanley Cup titles won by Detroit’s Kris Draper, Tomas Holmstrom, Nicklas Lidstrom and Darren McCarty tied Anaheim’s Scott Niedermayer for the most championships among active players. … Dan Cleary became the first native of Newfoundland to win the Cup. … Seven Swedish-born players ranked among the top nine scorers in the playoffs – Henrik Zetterberg (27 points) and teammates Johan Franzen (18), Niklas Kronwall (15), Mikael Samuelsson (13), Lidstrom (13) and Holmstrom (12). … The Red Wings are third all-time in Cup victories with 11, trailing only Montreal (24) and Toronto (14).

* Zetterberg MVP: Zetterberg captured the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after ranking first or second in seven of eight offensive categories. He tied for first with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby in points (27) and tied Franzen in goals (13). He also was first in short-handed assists (3) and shots on goal (116) and was tied for first in short-handed goals (2) and plus-minus (+16). He was second in game-winning goals (4) and tied for third in assists (14).

* Gonchar back: Penguins defenseman Sergei Gonchar (back) played in Game 6 on Wednesday night at Mellon Arena, two nights after leaving Game 5 in the second period after an awkward head-first collision into the boards. He returned in the third overtime of the Penguins’ 4-3 win for the power-play opportunity that led to right wing Petr Sykora’s game-winning goal.
“He should be all right to play,” head coach Michel Therrien said. “He’s a big part of the success of this hockey team. We were glad that we were capable to use him on the power play at the end.”

* Malone hanging tough: Penguins winger Ryan Malone played Wednesday, two nights after being struck on an already broken nose late in the second period of Game 5. He suffered cuts and bruises, not facial fractures, from being hit by teammate Hal Gill’s shot. “It’s not too bad – knock on wood,” Malone said following Wednesday’s workout. “It could have been a lot worse. So I’m definitely thankful.”
Defenseman Brooks Orpik was surprised Malone wasn’t in more pain while they sat together during the team’s flight to Pittsburgh Tuesday. “He’s pretty lucky,” Orpik said of Malone, who didn’t wear a shield. “I think (the puck) actually hit him flat instead of straight on, and I think he turned his head a little bit.”
Malone’s biggest problem was his looks. “He’s ugly right now,” defenseman Ryan Whitney said. “I don’t know if it will get back to normal. That’s what I told him. I think I’ve got him worried. … Hockey-wise, he’s never looked better. His wife might think differently.”
Malone said with a smile,” Maybe I’ll look into some plastic surgery. I still think I look better than (Whitney).” But his teammates are inspired by his warrior-like mentality. Along with playing Wednesday, he returned in the third period on Monday. “It just shows the type of guy he is,” Whitney said.

* Therrien fires back: Earlier in the series, Detroit head coach Mike Babcock shared his thoughts on the claims of obstruction made by Penguins head coach Michel Therrien and his players. On Wednesday morning, it was Therrien’s turn to fire back at Babcock, who was critical of the two goaltender interference penalties against his team in overtime of Game 5. When asked if Babcock would speak with league officials about the calls, he said, “I’m going to try what the other guy has been trying all series.”
Therrien responded with a smile, “This morning, I’m trying to walk around (and) introduce myself (as) I’m the other guy.” Then he added, “The complaining – there’s two different things. Mike’s complaining about calls. We’ve complained about the non-calls. … It’s part of the frustration, I guess.”

* Sabres draft party: Buffalo will hold the 2008 NHL Draft Party at HSBC Arena on June 20 from 5-9 p.m. Admission and parking in the HSBC arena ramp is free. Fans can watch televised coverage of the draft, which begins at 7 p.m. at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Ontario.
Fans also can enjoy dressing room tours and an autograph session with current Sabres and alumni as well as Sabretooth, the team’s mascot. For more information, visit www.sabres.com.

* Around the rink: Pittsburgh scratched goaltender Dany Sabourin, defenseman Kris Letang and forwards Kris Beech, Georges Laraque and Jeff Taffe. … Detroit scratched goaltender Jimmy Howard, defensemen Chris Chelios, Jakub Kindl, Derek Meech and Jonathan Ericsson and forwards Darren McCarty, Justin Abdelkader, Aaron Downey, Mattias Ritola and Mark Hartigan.

– Victor Fernandes

Sherry Bassin vowed to have older players to the 2008-09 Erie Otters. He wasted no time in adding one.
Bassin, managing partner/general manager, acquired left wing Brandon Biggers, 19, from Sault Ste. Marie today for a fourth-round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection. Biggers, who turns 20 on Aug. 21, likely will fill one of the club’s three overage spots on the roster next season.
Biggers (6-foot-3, 196 pounds) set career highs in goals (13), assists (16), points (29), short-handed goals (2), plus-minus (+14) and games (68) last season, his third in the league. He had eight goals and 25 points in 124 games his first two years. Biggers had two goals and four points in 14 playoff games for the Greyhounds, which reached the Western Conference finals before losing to OHL champion Kitchener.
He had 40 games of OHL playoff experience in his career, 10 more than the Otters’ entire 2007-08 roster.
“We’re excited to add such a character player who has accumulated a wealth of winning experience,” Bassin said in a prepared statement. “I am confident that Brandon will make a positive impact on our team during his overage season.”

– Victor Fernandes

Sherry Bassin vowed to have older players on the 2008-09 Erie Otters. He wasted no time in adding one.
Bassin, managing partner/general manager, acquired left wing Brandon Biggers, 19, from Sault Ste. Marie on Tuesday for a fourth-round pick in the 2010 OHL Priority Selection. Biggers, who turns 20 on Aug. 21, will fill one of the club’s three overage spots on the roster next season.
“We (aren’t) going to play without overagers (next) year,” Bassin said Tuesday. “We’ve always liked Brandon Biggers because he’s a character player. He really brings good leadership (through) work ethic by conduct. We need that kind of character in the room.”
Biggers (6-foot-3, 196 pounds) set career highs in goals (13), assists (16), points (29), short-handed goals (2), plus-minus (+14) and games (68) last season, his third in the league. Biggers had two goals and four points in 14 playoff games for the Greyhounds, which reached the Western Conference finals before losing to OHL champion Kitchener. Biggers has 40 games of OHL playoff experience in his career, 10 more than the Otters’ entire 2007-08 roster.
With the Greyhounds several players above the OHL’s maximum limit of three overagers, Bassin told club officials last month “to keep us in mind for overagers.” Bassin completed the deal midway through the league’s first month-long summer trading period. This period concludes at the end of June. The next trading period begins in August.
The deal leaves the Otters with four overagers – Biggers, defenseman Josh Kidd and forwards Justin Hodgman and Doug Clarkson. Bassin said Hodgman, the IHL’s playoff MVP for the Turner Cup champion Fort Wayne Komets, will return for his final season unless he receives a “good opportunity,” namely from an AHL club or better. Kidd likely would return unless the Los Angeles Kings sign him, although Bassin said “he’s got a real good chance.”
When asked if Clarkson would return if Biggers, Kidd and Hodgman are on the roster, Bassin declined to comment. He only said, “Biggers is coming to play. He wants to play.” Bassin acquired Clarkson from Kitchener at the Jan. 10 trade deadline with thoughts of keeping him as an overager next season.
But Clarkson struggled on the ice (three goals, six points in 19 games) and with a nagging knee injury. If Clarkson doesn’t return, the Otters would retain a conditional 2009 third-round pick sent to the Rangers.

– Victor Fernandes

The Erie Otters and Greg McKegg, the No. 2 pick in the 2008 OHL Priority Selection, have agreed in principle to an educational contract, Sherry Bassin, managing partner/general manager, said Tuesday. “It’s not put to paper,” Bassin said. But he expects that will be completed in the next couple of days.

– Victor Fernandes

The Erie Otters are offering new fans a chance to purchase 17-game Platinum mini-ticket packages at prices as low as $1. Fans simply need to follow this weekend’s NHL Entry Draft.
If an Otter is selected in the first round on Friday, the package will cost $1 – a savings of more than $210 off the regular price. If a player is chosen between the 31st and 209th picks on Saturday, the package will cost the dollar equivalent of the pick. If a player is selected 210th overall – the draft’s final pick – the package will cost the dollar equivalent of that player’s jersey number.
New package holders can buy packages on Monday only on a first-come, first-serve basis in person or by telephone starting at 9 a.m. There is a limit of two packages per person, and they need to be paid in full.
Ten packages per player chosen in the draft are available. Defenseman Mitch Gaulton, goaltender Jaroslav Janus and forward Justin Hodgman are considered the club’s best draft hopefuls.
For more information, contact the Otters at (814) 455-7779 or mark@ottershockey.com.

International Scouting Services Inc.’s top NHL prospects:
No. Name (age) Pos. Ht. Wt. 2007-08 club (league) NHL rank
1. Steven Stamkos (18) C 6-0 176 Sarnia (OHL) No. 1 (NAS)
2. Nikita Filatov (18) LW 6-0 172 CSKA 2 (Russian-3) No. 1 (ES)
3. Zach Bogosian (17) D 6-2 197 Peterborough (OHL) No. 2 (NAS)
4. Drew Doughty (18) D 6-0 219 Guelph (OHL) No. 3 (NAS)
5. Alex Pietrangelo (18) D 6-3 206 Niagara (OHL) No. 6 (NAS)
6. Luke Schenn (18) D 6-2 216 Kelowna (WHL) No. 5 (NAS)
7. Mikkel Boedker (18) LW 5-11 195 Kitchener (OHL) No. 11 (NAS)
8. Colin Wilson (18) C 6-1 215 Boston Univ. (HE) No. 10 (NAS)
9. Cody Hodgson (18) C 6-0 185 Brampton (OHL) No. 9 (NAS)
10. Luca Sbisa (18) D 6-2 190 Lethbridge (WHL) No. 12 (NAS)
11. Joshua Bailey (18) C 6-0 188 Windsor (OHL) No. 14 (NAS)
12. Zach Boychuk (18) C 5-10 175 Lethbridge (WHL) No. 8 (NAS)
13. Kyle Beach (18) C 6-3 203 Everett (WHL) No. 7 (NAS)
14. Mattias Tedenby (18) LW 5-10 176 HV 71 (Sweden) No. 3 (ES)
15. Tyler Myers (18) D 6-7 204 Kelowna (WHL) No. 4 (NAS)
16. Joe Colborne (18) LW 6-5 190 Camrose (AJHL) No. 28 (NAS)
17. Kirill Petrov (18) LW 6-3 198 Kazan (Russia) No. 2 (ES)
18. Colten Teubert (18) D 6-3 185 Regina (WHL) No. 18 (NAS)
19. Colby Robak (18) D 6-3 194 Brandon (WHL) No. 13 (NAS)
20. Zac Dalpe (18) C 6-0 170 Penticton (BCHL) No. 16 (NAS)
21. John Carlson (18) D 6-2 212 Indiana (USHL) No. 17 (NAS)
22. Erik Karlsson (18) D 5-11 165 Vastra Frolunda (Sweden) No. 4 (ES)
23. Michael Del Zotto (17) D 5-11 211 Oshawa (OHL) No. 15 (NAS)
24. Evgeny Grachev (18) C 6-3 202 Yaroslavl (Russia) No. 9 (ES)
25. Nicholas Deschamps (18) C 6-3 173 Chicoutimi (QMJHL) No. 21 (NAS)
26. Corey Trivino (18) C 6-1 170 Stouffville (OPJHL) No. 49 (NAS)
27. David Toews (18) LW 5-10 175 Shattuck-St. Mary (Minn.-HS) No. 79 (NAS)
28. Greg Nemisz (18) C 6-3 197 Windsor (OHL) No. 22 (NAS)
29. Aaron Ness (18) D 5-10 162 Roseau (Minn.-HS) No. 27 (NAS)
30. Jordan Eberle (18) C 5-10 174 Regina (WHL) No. 33 (NAS)

Best of the rest
Name (age) Pos. Ht. Wt. 2007-08 club (league) NHL rank
Jake Allen (17) G 6-2 175 St. John’s (QMJHL) No. 8 (NAG)
Brandon Burlon (18) D 6-0 190 St. Michael’s (OPJHL) No. 41 (NAS)
Tyler Cuma (18) D 6-2 180 Ottawa (OHL) No. 19 (NAS)
Jake Gardiner (17) D 6-0 173 Minnetonka (Minn.-HS) No. 23 (NAS)
Cody Goloubef (18) D 6-0 195 Univ. of Wisconsin (WCHA) No. 34 (NAS)
Anton Gustafsson (18) C 6-2 194 Frolunda Jr. (Sweden-Jr.) No. 5 (ES)
Daultan Leveille (17) C 5-11 163 St. Catharines (OHA-B) No. 47 (NAS)
Jacob Markstrom (18) G 6-3 178 Brynas (Sweden-Jr.) No. 1 (EG)
Thomas McCollum (18) G 6-2 205 Guelph (OHL) No. 1 (NAG)
Chet Pickard (18) G 6-2 210 Tri-City (WHL) No. 2 (NAG)
Harri Sateri (18) G 6-1 190 Tappara Jr. (Finland-Jr.) No. 2 (EG)
Maxime Sauve (18) C 6-0 170 Val d’Or (QMJHL) No. 26 (NAS)
Jared Staal (17) RW 6-3 198 Sudbury (OHL) No. 43 (NAS)
Mikhail Stefanovich (18) G 6-2 202 Quebec (QMJHL) No. 57 (NAS)
Viktor Tikhonov (18) RW 6-2 187 Cherepovets (Russia) No. 7 (ES)
Key: AJHL – Alberta Junior Hockey League; BCHL – British Columbia Hockey League; EG – European goaltenders; ES – European skaters; HE – Hockey East; NAG – North American goaltenders; NAS – North American skaters; HS – High School; OHA-B – Ontario Hockey Association, Golden Horseshoe B; OHL – Ontario Hockey League; OPJHL – Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League; QJMHL – Quebec Major Junior Hockey League; USHL – United States Hockey League; WCHA – Western Collegiate Hockey Association; WHL – Western Hockey League
Sources: International Scouting Services Inc. (www.isshockey.com), NHL Entry Draft Web site (www.nhlentrydraft2008.com)

Pos. Name (age) Club
D Paul Cianfrini (19) Otters
RW Doug Clarkson (19) Otters
LW Kelly Geoffrey (18) Otters
D Frank Grzeszczak (18) Otters
LW Sean Jones (18) Otters
D/LW Michael Liambas (19) Otters
G Shane Owen (18) Otters
F Scott Pitt (20) Mercyhurst
D Robyn Sertic (18) Otters
D Brian Shaw (18) Otters
RW Shawn Szydlowski (17) Otters

Erie Otters defenseman Mitch Gaulton, 18, was selected by the New York Rangers in the sixth round (No. 171 overall) in the NHL Entry Draft on Saturday. Gaulton, unranked by NHL Central Scouting but 54th overall by The Hockey News before the draft, garnered attention despite being limited to 20 games last season because of a dislocated elbow.
Through the end of six rounds in the seven-round draft, Gaulton was the only player with Erie ties chosen.

– Victor Fernandes

Pos. Name OHL club NHL round (selection)
C Philip McRae London St. Louis (2nd round – No. 33)
RW Jared Staal Sudbury Phoenix (2nd round – No. 49)
D Cameron Gaunce Mississauga Colorado (2nd round – No. 50)
G Tyler Beskorowany Owen Sound Dallas (2nd round – No. 59)
D Shawn Lalonde Belleville Chicago (3rd round – No. 68)
RW James Livingston Sault Ste. Marie St. Louis (3rd round – No. 70)
LW Josh Brittain Kingston Anaheim (3rd round – No. 71)
D Andrew Campbell Sault Ste. Marie Los Angeles (3rd round – No. 74)
G Michael Hutchinson Barrie Boston (3rd round – No. 77)
D Adam Comrie Saginaw Florida (3rd round – No. 80)
C Adam Henrique Windsor New Jersey (3rd round – No. 82)
C Jamie Arniel Sarnia Boston (4th round – No. 98)
LW A.J. Jenks Plymouth Florida (4th round – No. 100)
D Michal Jordan Plymouth Carolina (4th round – No. 106)
D T.J. Brodie Saginaw Calgary (4th round – No. 114)
G Jason Missiaen Peterborough Montreal (4th round – No. 116)
C Nathan Moon Kingston Pittsburgh (4th round – No. 120)
D Julien Demers Ottawa San Jose (5th round – No. 146)
RW Kyle De Coste Brampton Tampa Bay (5th round – No. 147)
LW Matthew Martin Sarnia N.Y. Islanders (5th round – No. 148)
C Justin Azevedo Kitchener Los Angeles (6th round – No. 153)
G Christopher Carrozzi Mississauga Atlanta (6th round – No. 154)
C Anthony Nigro Guelph St. Louis (6th round – No. 155)
D Nick Crawford Saginaw Buffalo (6th round – No. 164)
G Mike Murphy Belleville Carolina (6th round – No. 165)
LW Justin DiBenedetto Sarnia N.Y. Islanders (6th round – No. 175)
C Zac Rinaldo Mississauga Philadelphia (6th round – No. 178)
G Patrick Killeen Brampton Pittsburgh (6th round – No. 180)
LW Stephen Johnston Belleville Detroit (6th round – No. 181)
D Tim Billingsley Mississauga Phoenix (7th round – No. 189)
D Harry Young Windsor New Jersey (7th round – No. 202)
LW Stefan Della Rovere Barrie Washington (7th round – No. 204)

Erie Otters defenseman Mitch Gaulton reported to the New York Rangers’ 2008 Conditioning Camp at MSG Training Center in Tarrytown, N.Y., today, the NHL club announced on its Web site.
Gaulton, selected in the sixth round (No. 171 overall) of the NHL Entry Draft this past weekend, joined four other 2008 picks, including first-round selection Michael Del Zotto (Oshawa), 13 other prospects and 10 invited players for the week-long camp.
The Rangers appear high on Gaulton, even though he missed most of last season with a dislocated left elbow. As head amateur scout Jim Hammett said on the club’s Web site, “The background on him is that he has an excellent upside and, unfortunately, the injuries just put him back. He’s a big, strong kid that skates well and has a good shot and competes. We’re hoping he can get healthy, and we’ll suddenly have a real diamond in the rough.”
In other Otters’ news, goaltender Jaroslav Janus was disappointed about being undrafted. Yet, that means he will likely return to the Otters next season, he said today by e-mail from Presov, Slovakia.

– Victor Fernandes

Former Erie Otter Mike Rice (2001-03) participated in the new Paramount Pictures film, “Love Guru, starring Mike Myers, according to the University of Western Ontario’s athletics Web site (www.westernmustangs.ca). Rice, 26, portrayed a player named Bielewicz, a member of the Los Angeles Kings. Rice joined other players in the movie at a multi-week, pre-filming training camp.
Rice played in 21 games with the Nijmegen Devils in Holland last season. After ending his OHL career, he spent three years at UWO in London, Ontario (2003-06). He also had short professional stints totaling 34 games with Jackson and Wheeling in the ECHL and Val Gardena HC in Italy.

Erie Otters forward Ryan O’Reilly, 17, will join 39 players at Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team camp on Aug. 1-6 at Father David Bauer Arena in Calgary, Alberta. The camp will determine the 22-player roster competing in the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament, set for Aug. 12-16 in Piestany, Slovakia, and Breclav, Czech Republic. O’Reilly is one 10 OHL players selected for the camp.
In other Otters’ news, 2008 OHL draft picks Mike Mersch, 15, Kevin Clare, 16, and Joel Benson, 16, are participating in the 2008 USA Hockey Boys Select 16 Player Development Camp this week in Rochester, N.Y. Mersch (eighth round) is tied for third in scoring with a goal and four points in two games. Clare (fourth round) has one assist in two games. Benson (14th round) has no points in two games.

Former Erie Otter Josh Vatri, 20, is one of 41 players attending the Buffalo Sabres’ 2008 Conditioning Camp. The week-long begins today at Niagara University’s Dwyer Arena in Lewiston, N.Y.
Vatri had 18 goals, 24 points and 148 penalty minutes in 111 games with the Otters from 2005-07. The club waived him before the 2007-08 season began. Kingston later claimed Vatri, where he had no points in five games. The camp includes current Sabres Drew Stafford and Andrej Sekera, 2008 first-round pick Tyler Myers and recent signee Nathan Gerbe.

The Erie Otters want to select a 17-year-old forward with the No. 4 pick in the 2008 CHL Import Draft on Thursday, Sherry Bassin, managing partner/general manager, said today. Bassin declined to disclose the player’s name, only saying he blends good size (6-foot-1) with offensive creativity and will be eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. Bassin finalized his choice about three weeks ago. The player has committed to playing in Erie. Bassin already holds a copy of his passport, he said.
“We think we’re going to get him. That’s why we feel good,” Bassin said. “If this guy is as good as we think he is, we’ll be fired up. … He’s a top-three line player. He’s going to play for a long time.”
Bassin focused on a forward in the draft, since “I like our blue line and it’s young,” he said. The defense would improve if the club adds an older defenseman, potentially an overager, Bassin said.
In other Otters’ news, Bassin said he won’t begin attempting to trade suspended defenseman Frank Grzeszczak until August. Clubs have made general inquiries about Grzeszczak, who club officials indefinitely suspended in February for breaking team-related, off-ice rules.

– Victor Fernandes

Second-round at a glance
No. 61 – Mississauga St. Michael’s (OHL), acquired from Sudbury
No. 64 – Erie (OHL); will decline or trade
No. 67 – Owen Sound (OHL)
No. 70 – Windsor (OHL); acquired from Kingston
No. 73 – Peterborough (OHL)
No. 76 – Barrie (OHL)
No. 79 – Ottawa (OHL)
No. 82 – Mississauga St. Michael’s (OHL)
No. 85 – Plymouth (OHL)
No. 88 – Saginaw (OHL)
No. 91 – Sarnia (OHL)
No. 94 – Guelph (OHL)
No. 97 – London (OHL)
No. 100 – Niagara (OHL)
No. 103 – Brampton (OHL)
No. 106 – Oshawa (OHL)
No. 109 – Windsor (OHL)
No. 112 – Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
No. 115 – Belleville (OHL)
No. 117 – Kitchener (OHL)

CHL Import Draft rules
* Each CHL team shall be permitted to have a maximum of two Import players on their protected Import list at any time. Any Import player who is on a team’s protected list and is a graduating 19-year-old player shall be placed on a special “Overage Import List” at the conclusion of the Memorial Cup. Should a team wish to sign and play a player who is on this special list in his overage year, they must transfer him to their regular Import Player list prior to registering him.
* A team may only draft number of players according to how many available spots they have on their protected list. For instance, if a team already has one (1) player on their protected list they can only draft one player in the CHL Import Draft.
* All Import players who are born in 1989, 1990 and 1991, and not already on a CHL member team’s protected list, shall be eligible to be drafted by a CHL club in the CHL Import Draft.
* No team will be permitted to list or sign an Import player as a “free agent.” An Import player must be drafted in the Import Player Draft in order to play in the Canadian Hockey League. Import players will only be permitted to be drafted in the Import Player Draft and will not be permitted to be selected in any of the leagues’ regular drafts or priority selections.
* Trades are only permitted within a team’s own league. Teams will be permitted to trade their selections without necessarily receiving the other team’s selection in return, meaning that a team will be permitted to have multiple picks in any round. Trades of draft choices can be made any time throughout the draft provided that they are made and properly reported before the designated time for that selection. The draft will not be delayed while a team finalizes a trade.
Source: www.chl.ca

The Erie Otters selected center/wing Edgar Rybakov, 17, with the No. 4 pick in the CHL Import Draft today. Rybakov (6-foot-1, 185 pounds), a native of Vilnius, Lithuania, played for well-known Russian club CSKA-2 Moscow in the Russian League. Rybakov, who is eligible for the 2009 NHL Entry Draft, had 21 goals and 38 points in 38 games this past season. He was Nikita Filatov's linemate this past season. Filatov, 18, was chosen by Columbus with the No. 6 pick in the NHL Entry Draft last weekend, the first European-born player taken in the draft. Sudbury chose Filatov, 18, a native of Moscow, Russia, with the No. 1 pick in the CHL draft.
“He’s a very, very skilled forward,” Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner/general manager, said about Rybakov in a statement. “If you’re good enough to play for the Red Army Team, then you’re a player. We’ve had numerous conversations with him and he’s excited to be coming to Erie to play.”

– Victor Fernandes

No. Club (league) Pos. Name Country (2007-08 club) NHL status
61. Mississauga (OHL) D Erik Karlsson Sweden (Frolunda HC Goteborg – Sweden) Ottawa (2008)
64. Erie (OHL) Pass
67. Owen Sound (OHL) Pass
70. Ottawa (OHL) LW Yakov Vorobyov Kazakhstan (Torpeddo Kazinic – Kazakhstan) 2009
73. Peterborough (OHL) LW Ruslan Bashkirov Russia (Khimik Mytischi – Russia) Ottawa (2007)
76. Barrie (OHL) Pass
79. Windsor (OHL) Pass
82. Mississauga (OHL) Pass
85. Plymouth (OHL) Pass
88. Saginaw (OHL) Pass
91. Sarnia (OHL) RW Roman Bashkirov Russia (Khimik Mytischi – Russia) 2009
94. Guelph (OHL) Pass
97. London (OHL) Pass
100. Niagara (OHL) RW Marco Insam Italy (Milano Vipers – Italy) 2009
103. Brampton (OHL) Pass
106. Oshawa (OHL) F Alexander Denezhkin Russia (Des Moines – USHL) 2010
109. Windsor (OHL) Pass
112. Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) Pass
115. Belleville (OHL) Pass
117. Kitchener (OHL) Pass