The Fifth Liners

The Pittsburgh Penguins have today announced that defenseman Olli Maata will be undergoing surgery for a tumor in his neck. According to NHL.com , this type of tumor an 85% chance of being lower type thyroid cancer. Maatta is not expected to undergo chemotherapy for this condition and the Penguins have suggested they expect him to be back with the team within four weeks after surgery. The 20 year old has been cleared to play up until then and has shown some great form this season so far and currently stands on 1 goal and five points in seven games. The Penguins have advised that they were aware of his condition pre season, but Maatta wished to keep this news to himself. They have also praised his attitude and sheer concentration during this period. The Finn was quoted as saying "I feel healthy and I feel fine,the only thing that's different is that now I know that I maybe have cancer. And you know what? That's tough, but I don't think it's affected me much....

The Pittsburgh Penguin s won a closely won 4-3 contest over the Vancouver Canucks last night at the Consol Energy Center which was only decided by a shootout! Vancouver got a somewhat fortunate start as Alex Edler's spectacular centre ice slap shot on 13.49 minutes bounced off the mask of Marc-Andre Fleury and crept into the goal but Pittsburgh didnt waste time and captain Sidney Crosby made things a tie game after 15.44 played. On the powerplay, Chris Kunitz pushed the Penguins in front after 7.56 of the second period following good work behind net by Malkin. But Vancouver weren't going down without a fight and Brad Richardson levelled things at 2-2 following some good drop passes. Into the third and Zach Kassian deflected Kevin Bieksa's shot past Fleury to put the Canucks ahead 3-2 after 12.50 played! But cruely only 22 seconds later Olli Maata scored a rebound off Luongo to claim his first ever NHL goal and tie the game at 3-3. But there was to be late drama as Bra...