March 27, 2010
Ottawa 4, Buffalo 2

1st Period Goal:

Ottawa: 6:42, Chris Kelly 15 (Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Neil)

March 23, 2010
Ottawa 2, Philadelphia 0

1st Period Goal:

Ottawa: 10:34, Chris Kelly 14 (Jarkko Ruutu, Jesse Winchester)

3rd Period Goal:

Ottawa: 19:59, Daniel Alfredsson 19 (Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Kelly)

Ruutu treasures 'heavy' medal
Senators winger proud of Finland's bronze
By Allen Panzeri, The Ottawa Citizen
March 2, 2010

Half the fun of winning an Olympic medal is getting to brag about it.

So every member of the Ottawa Senators had better be prepared. They'll be hearing about forward Jarkko Ruutu's bronze medal for a while.

As the only one of five Olympians on the Senators to return from Vancouver with a medal, thanks to Finland's defeat of Slovakia in the bronze-medal game on Saturday, Ruutu, known for getting into the ear of opponents, started to twist the knife as soon as he stepped off the ice after Monday's practice.

Asked where his medal was, the 35-year-old said he had left it at home, adding, for the benefit of everyone within earshot: "My neck was getting too sore from carrying the weight around."

All joking aside, Ruutu had reason to be proud.

Finland, lightly regarded before the Olympic men's hockey tournament began, was humbled 6-1 in the semifinals by the United States and then had to come from behind to beat Slovakia 5-3.

"It would have been real disappointing if we had finished fourth," Ruutu said.

"It's probably the worst place you can finish.

"For us we had a couple of tough games, but we bounced back, and that's the lesson you have to learn every time.

"I think it was a good accomplishment, even though we wanted to win the gold."

The bronze medal was Ruutu's second Olympic medal. He also received a silver medal in 2006, when Finland lost to Sweden in the final.

If he had a vote, NHL players would definitely participate in the 2014 Winter Games at Sochi, Russia.

Commissioner Gary Bettman is balking at sending NHL players halfway around the globe for games that will be shown in North America in the middle of the night.

Ruutu said the pros outweighed the cons.

"I think it's pretty exciting for everyone," he said.

"It's exciting for the players. It's an honour. The tradition should be carried on.

"If you look at the TV ratings, I think they were pretty good during the Olympics, and I think that carries on through the season."

Wishing and Hoping

Senators centre Jason Spezza, who had hoped to win a berth on Canada's Olympic team, but did not, said it was impossible to watch Sunday's gold-medal match and not wish he had been part of it.

"Definitely, you always want to be part of something like that," Spezza said.

"You see them celebrating and it makes you want to get to that level."

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 27: Team Finland celebrates with the bronze medal after the ice hockey men's bronze medal game between Finland and Slovakia on day 16 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 27, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 27: Olli Jokinen #12 of Finland celebrates with his team after scoring a goal during the ice hockey men's bronze medal game between Finland and Slovakia on day 16 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 27, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 27: Jarkko Ruutu #37 of Finland in action during the ice hockey men's bronze medal game between Finland and Slovakia on day 16 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 27, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Team USA defeated Team Finland with the score of 6-1. Team USA will play Canada for the gold medal. Team Finland will go on to play Slovakia for the bronze medal.

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 26: The referee speaks to Jarkko Ruutu #37 of Finland during the ice hockey men's semifinal game between the United States and Finland on day 15 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 26, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Ruutu’s Edge An Advantage For Sens
Posted By Rob Brodie – Ottawa Senators.com
The Daily Observer - Ontario, CA
February 26, 2010

With a devilish grin, Jarkko Ruutu makes it clear he enjoys living his hockey life on the edge.

The Ottawa Senators forward takes a special pride in being one of the National Hockey League's most adept agitators, a gritty sort who often knows exactly what it takes to get under an opposing player's skin. And while it isn't exactly an art form, the feisty Finn will tell you there is a talent of sorts involved in it all.

"The biggest thing is, you have to take their time and space away and see where they're at mentally," said the 33-year-old Ruutu. "When they're frustrated, it's easy to get them over the edge. Some guys don't even bother (responding) because they're not emotionally involved. Guys that are emotionally involved in the game, it's a lot easier to push them over the edge and frustrate them. "But you have to be smart about it. If you're ahead in the game, you don't want to give (the opponents) any advantage or edge or juice to do it. I guess you learn during the process of playing and getting older. Year by year, you understand it a little more. I think about it, too. It's a game on the ice. You have to think about where their soft spots are ... I guess it's a mental game." It also fits right in with the nature of a player who considers himself a born competitor. Ruutu's reputation as an agitator has been well earned through eight NHL seasons with the Vancouver Canucks (who made him a third-round pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft), Pittsburgh Penguins and Senators.

"To be honest, it's all natural," said Ruutu. "I never really thought about it too much. I'm real competitive by nature and I just try to go all out. You just try your hardest and I guess it comes with it.

"I like being emotional. When I'm emotional, I play my best. Every game is different, too. Some games, there's nothing going on and there's no use (starting something). Some games, you need that (edge)." Away from the intensity of the game, Ruutu falls into a much lighter state of mind -especially around his teammates in the Senators dressing room.

"I'm two different people, on the ice and off the ice," he said. "I don't think I'm ever serious off the ice. I like having fun and being in a good mood. I'm pranking around and laughing at myself and the mistakes I've made. I think it's all fun."

Once he leaves the confines of Scotiabank Place, you'll find Ruutu looking for the nearest sauna to relax -"there's a couple of not bad places here," he said - listening to music or spending time with his dog, "a little teacup poodle."

"That's about it. Nothing too serious," he said. "Then I get ready for the next game."

His tastes for metal music pretty much run the gamut, from one end of the scale to another.

"I've got some really heavy stuff, some things that are a little lighter and some Finnish music," he said. "I don't listen to much country, put it that way. But if it has a good rhythm and melody, I usually like it." Perhaps it's appropriate, though, that the mischievous Ruutu finds extra listening pleasure in the music produced by his favourite metal band, Metallica. It's a group he guesses he's seen live nearly a dozen times and a genre of music that's strikes a real chord in Finland.

"People (in Finland) just like it," he said. "I guess it's the darkness in it."

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - NHL- NHL's pest in show
By Steve Macfarlane, QMI Agency
February 21, 2010

You won't see too many of these guys at the Olympics.

They don't typically make the big NHL money. Goals are welcome but not always necessary for them to be effective.

Most nights, their main objective is to tick off those NHLers who score regularly and make millions for it..

They do anything to irritate, aggravate and infuriate.

They're the league's best pests.

"You need a couple of cans of Raid to get rid of those guys," jokes Calgary Flames defenceman Robyn Regehr.

But they're no laughing matter.

They may be wearing wide grins as they chuck insults or hits at the stars, but those unlucky enough to receive special attention from the likes of Sean Avery, Steve Ott, Jarkko Ruutu, Matt Cooke or Alex Burrows are usually frowning.

Or they're frothing at the mouth.

Dallas Stars agitator Ott has made his share of opponents miserable. Flames Jarome Iginla and Regehr can be counted among them, but they're far from alone.

Reactions are easy to spot in games during which a pest has managed to rile an entire team.

"I've done it," Ott says.

"They continue to bark. I can't even get a word in. There's 10 of them standing up on the bench when I'm skating by. That's when I know I've got a whole team."

How does it happen? How can one man get his opposition focusing on his antics instead of putting pucks past his goaltender?

Tactics range from sharp trash talk to heavy hits.

"Sometimes when you go chirp a head coach or something like that -- why go after the peasant when you can go after the king or the captain? -- it usually draws a lot of attention," Ott says.

"That's something I sometimes go after and sometimes use."

Infamous Finnish agitator Ruutu isn't afraid to dart over the lines of legality to knock opponents off their games.

"You have to be willing to do dirty little things," says the Ottawa Senators winger, sporting fresh stitches over his right eye as the result of a recent retaliation.

"When you get (them) frustrated, it's pretty easy to get guys off their game. You hit him, finish your check and chirp him right after."

Sometimes, Ruutu will go the extra mile.

"Sure," he admits with a nod. "There've been some borderline things."

It was a little more than a year ago Ruutu was suspended for two games after biting -- yes, biting -- Andrew Peters's thumb after the Buffalo Sabres heavyweight stuck his glove in Ruutu's face.

But it was his antics that led to the second-longest suspension in league history when former Flames tough-guy Chris Simon felt the need to pull Ruutu to the ice and stomp on his leg, an act that resulted in a 30-game penalty for Simon while with the New York Islanders.

February 19, 2010
Finland 5, Germany 0

3rd Period Goal:

FIN, J. Ruutu (Peltonen, Kapanen) 7:10

Finland players celebrate during the Men's preliminary Ice Hockey match Finland against Germany at the XXI Winter Olympic games in Vancouver's Canada Hockey Place on February 19, 2010. Finland won 5-0.
AFP PHOTO / CRIS BOURONCLE (Photo credit should read CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images)

Finland's forward Jarkko Ruutu (37) vies for the puck at the German goal during the Men's preliminary Ice Hockey match Finland against Germany at the XXI Winter Olympic games in Vancouver's Canada Hockey Place on February 19, 2010. Finland won 5-0.
AFP PHOTO / CRIS BOURONCLE (Photo credit should read CRIS BOURONCLE/AFP/Getty Images)

February 17, 2010
Finland 5, Belarus 1

3rd Period Goal:

FIN, J. Ruutu (Kukkonen, Kapanen) 12:59

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 17: Jarkko Ruutu, Lasse Kukkonen and and Ville Peltonen of Finland react after a third period goal for Finland against Belarus during the ice hockey men's preliminary game on day 6 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 17, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Canwest News Service
February 17, 2010

Ruutu, the current Ottawa Senator and former Vancouver Canuck, scooped up the puck following his goal. He has mementos from both the Salt Lake and Torino Games but this one will have a little more meaning.

“I was reading a booklet for Team Finland this morning and I just realized my stats were zero and zero,” said the always engaging Ruutu. “So I figured out if I get a goal, I'll just take the puck. It's always fun to score. I guess I'm not known for scoring but it never hurts.”

Vancouver Sun
February 17, 2010

"Nobody is giving any freebies if you show up with a good team on paper," Ruutu said. "It's all about the best team, not the best individuals."

VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 17: Jarkko Ruutu of Finland looks on after defeating Belarus 5-1 during the ice hockey men's preliminary game on day 6 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at Canada Hockey Place on February 17, 2010 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Ottawa 4, Islanders 3
February 14, 2010

1st Period Goal:

6:16, Jarkko Ruutu 10 (Chris Neil, Jesse Winchester)

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu (73), of Finland, celebrates his first-period goal against the New York Islanders with Jesse Winchester (18) and other teammates during an NHL hockey game Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

Correction to the photo description below: Jarkko Ruutu (R) is the Ottawa Senator player that is pictured, not Filip Kuba.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Filip Kuba (R) and Detroit Red Wings center Valtteri Filppula (2nd L) take part in a pre-Olympic ceremony before the start of their NHL hockey game in Detroit, Michigan February 13, 2010. Photograph by: Rebecca Cook, Reuters

For the Olympic ice hockey player Jarkko Ruutu Vancouver is much more than just the hometown of his former NHL team, Vancouver Canucks. - Photo: Jeff Vinnick

Finnish NHL star Jarkko Ruutu enthuses over Vancouver as Olympic host
Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition – Sport
February 10, 2010

Nowadays snow is a rare sight indeed in the city that hosts the Winter Olympic Games.

In Nagano 1998 there were patches of snow here and there, In Salt Lake City 2002 one could hardly speak of snow drifts by the side of the road, and in Torino four years ago the situation was more or less the same.

The city of Vancouver is very unlikely to see any snow during the Olympic Games, but on the surrounding mountains the situation is altogether different.

From downtown Vancouver one can see the silhouette of the mountains. A pair of binoculars brings the wintry landscape in closer.

In Vancouver the lack of snow is not because of the city’s southern location. Besides, the city does not lie that far south, anyway. It is the way the city is situated between the ocean and the mountains that keeps it free of the white stuff.

Of all the hosts of the Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver is the fourth most northerly. Only Lillehammer, Oslo, and Calgary sit at higher latitudes.

“It is difficult to predict what the February weather is like in Vancouver. It may drizzle downtown and snow in the mountains. The rain is never that hard”, says Jarkko Ruutu.

He should know. Ruutu lived in Vancouver for six years while playing ice hockey for the NHL team the Vancouver Canucks.

“During those six years it snowed perhaps no more than half a dozen times”, Ruutu recalls.

Ruutu, who now plays for Ottawa, is returning to his former hometown as a member of the Finnish Olympic ice hockey squad.

This suits the man down to the ground.

“Paradise. Such a great place. I love it”, Ruutu says without sounding as though he is exaggerating.

Apart from ice hockey, Vancouver means many other things as well for Ruutu.

The cafes, the sushi restaurants, the Asian hangouts, and many other attractions the Finn became well acquainted with.

“The city is very neat with the surrounding mountains and everything. Can’t say a negative word about it. And the people are friendly.”

Vancouver is filled with Chinese restaurants and Asian culture. The city’s nickname is Hongcouver, Ruutu reveals.

In the downtown area all the services are within easy reach. On Robson St. there is cafe after cafe, and in Yale Town near the GM Place ice hockey arena there is a world of restaurants where every taste is catered for.

“To walk around the city”, is Ruutu’s answer when asked about spare time activities. “That alone is already plenty fun.”

One of Ruutu’s favourite spots, Stanley Park, is excellent for more vigorous outdoor activities such as running and hiking.

If one really wants to test one’s fitness, then the nearby Grouse Mountain is the right address.

“It takes just over an hour to climb up there, although with a little effort I did make it up there in 40 minutes. And then down by gondola lift”, Ruutu describes.

The Olympic Games are a big deal for Vancouver and especially for Canadian ice hockey.

In Calgary in 1988, Canada did not reap success, but at that time the NHL players did not take part in the Games.

Now all the best players are included.

“Every single billboard advertises something related to the Games. It is a big deal”, Ruutu confirms.

“Vancouver must be one of the best places to have ever hosted the Olympic Games”, Ruutu says. That is a bold statement, but judging by the look of it Ruutu may well be right.

The Vancouver Games also provide Canada with a chance to change history and correct a certain striking statistical anomaly.

Namely, Canada is the only Olympic host never to have won a gold medal in its own games.

No pressure, then...

February 9, 2010
Ottawa 3, Calgary 2

2nd Period Goal:

9:36, Jarkko Ruutu 9 (Jesse Winchester)

OTTAWA, ON - FEBRUARY 9: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates his goal with teammate Jesse Winchester #18 while Ian White #3 of the Calgary Flames skates away dejectedly in a game at Scotiabank Place on February 9, 2010 in Ottawa, Canada.
The Ottawa Senators lead the Calgary Flames 3-2 after two periods. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Regarding 5-0 loss against Toronto – NHL.com:

Added forward Jarkko Ruutu: "We weren't happy with the way we played the game but in the end, the result doesn't really matter, whether it's 2-1 or 10-0. You lose two points and the next game, you have a chance to redeem yourself."

Regarding Len Lenser – Minor official in Ottawa - YourOttawaRegion:

Another time, Jarkko Ruutu questioned a charging penalty. When Lenser explained that he left his feet to hit the other player, Ruutu calmly replied, “It was a good call then.”

January 28, 2010
Ottawa 4, Penguins 1

1st Period:

Ruutu assist:

13:39, Chris Kelly 10 (Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Neil)

Ottawa Senators Chris Kelly (C) celebrates his goal with teammates Jarkko Ruutu (73) and Chris Neil (25) after scoring against Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania January 28, 2010. Photograph by: Jason Cohn, REUTERS

Jarkko Ruutu skates with enthusiasm at Lasker Rink in New York's Central Park, January 13, 2010 (Reuters)

Jarkko Ruutu's comment on Kovalev's dancing moves:

"I think it's pretty well done," Jarkko Ruutu said. "I think what makes it even better are the white skates (he wears). It's special."

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu (73), of Finland, scores on Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Boucher (33) as Flyers' Braydon Coburn (5) and Oskars Bartulis (3), of Latvia, look on during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu (L), Chris Neil (C) and Chris Kelly celebrate Ruutu's goal against the Philadelphia Flyers'
during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Ottawa January 3, 2010 (Reuters)

Ottawa 7, Flyers 4
January 3, 2010

1st Period Goal

10:27 - Wrist Shot - Assists: C. Neil (4) & C. Kelly (14)

3rd Period Assist

06:17 - Chris Kelly (7) Slap Shot - Assists: J. Ruutu (8)

Ottawa 3, Islanders 2 (SO)
December 31, 2009

2nd Period Assist

14:26, Chris Kelly 5 (Chris Neil, Jarkko Ruutu)

Michalek, Ruutu brothers named to their Olympic teams
By Allen Panzeri, Ottawa Citizen
December 30, 2009

OTTAWA — Milan Michalek and Jarkko Ruutu had their fingers crossed. The odds looked good, so they were hopeful, but they weren’t going to celebrate until they received the official word.

Fortunately, it came, and then they both could smile.

The two Ottawa Senators forwards will get not only the chance to play for their respective countries in the Vancouver Olympic men’s hockey tournament, but they’ll also get to play beside a sibling.

Michalek, 25, and his 27-year-old brother, Zbynek, of the Phoenix Coyotes will play for the Czech Republic, while Ruutu, 34, and his brother Tuomo, 26, of the Carolina Hurricanes will both be on Finland’s team.

“It’s a great honour,” said Jarkko Ruutu, who will be in his third Olympic Games.

“Even though we’re two separate individuals, it’s always fun to play with your brother, especially when he’s so much younger. You don’t get to experience those things too often.”

Milan Michalek, 24, will be making his international debut for the Czech Republic. Zbynek, 26, has played in three world championships (2006-2008), but never in the Olympics. This will be the first time they’ve played on a team since they were youngsters in Jindrichuv Hradec.

“It was our dream to play together in such a big tournament,” Milan Michalek said.

“We talked about it before in the summer, and now the dream has come true. It’s going to be a lot of fun. We’ve never played together and it’s going to be great.

“We played a lot in the streets all the time in our hometown when we were younger, but nothing since we were older.”

Jarkko Ruutu has played in six world championships and two Olympics for Finland, including the squad that won silver at Turin in 2006. Tuomo Ruutu has played in three world championships, but will be making his Olympic debut.

Jarkko thinks the atmosphere will be exhilarating, though he could be a little biased after beginning his National Hockey League career in Vancouver 10 years ago.

“I think it’s going to be by far the most exciting (Olympics) for hockey, especially with the high profile right now in Vancouver,” he said. “I don’t think it gets any better. It’s a great honour.”

Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu, of Finland, celebrates with teammate Chris Kelly during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa, Saturday, Dec. 19, 2009.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)

December 19, 2009
Ottawa 4, Minnesota 1

2nd Period:

17:50, Jarkko Ruutu 7 (Chris Kelly, Jonathan Cheechoo)

LW Jarkko Ruutu scored his second goal in two games. He has seven, matching his total of a season ago and equaling his highest output since scoring 10 in 2005-06. His goal against Minnesota brought his career goals to 50.

December 18, 2009
Ottawa 2, New Jersey 4

2nd Period:

6:06, Jarkko Ruutu 6 (Chris Kelly, Jonathan Cheechoo)

“The puck was coming around the boards, I was coming from the neutral zone,” Ruutu said. “I tried to hit him and missed a little bit. My shoulder hit his head and then his head hit the glass. That was really it. Not much you could do.”

Ruutu didn’t open up much about his conversation with Campbell.

“He didn’t say much. I got a fine. I don’t really have a comment on it, to be honest. It’s what it is and you move on.”

Jarkko Ruutu of the Ottawa Senators against the Montreal Canadiens during first period at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, December 08, 2009.
Photograph by: Jean Levac, The Ottawa Citizen

Jarkko quote
Home sweet home for Sens - NHL.com
December 8, 2009

"It's tough to explain," Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu said when asked about the team's home success so far this season. "Winning is a habit just like losing is a habit. We’ve been fortunate that we were home so much early in the year and I think it’s helped us. We just have to start building on the road trips, too."

December 6, 2009
Ottawa 4, Anaheim 3
Jarkko Ruutu – 1 goal

1st Period:

12:01, Jarkko Ruutu 5 (unassisted)

Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu, of Finland, left, celebrates after scoring a goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere (35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu(73), of Finland, scores a goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere(35) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

December 5, 2009
Ottawa 2, Phoenix 3
Jarkko Ruutu – 1 assist

3rd Period:

16:41, Chris Kelly 3 (Jarkko Ruutu, Jonathan Cheechoo)

Sens officially disgusted
CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Columnists - Stevenson
November 26, 2009

“I was very unhappy with several calls,” said Murray. “I think there was an obvious hit to the head (on an Andrew Peters check on Senators defenceman Alexandre Picard) and a second one on (Jarkko) Ruutu in front of the net. (Forward Peter) Regin got his legs cut out from under him and there was no call.

“It’s very upsetting in a close, hard-fought road game.”

Peters levelled Picard six minutes into the second period, knocking him to the ice. Picard left the game, but returned.

Ruutu was hit with a high stick after a great scoring chance in the third. He lay on the ice bleeding after the hit by Devils defenceman Bryce Salvador.

“He got me right in the chops,” said Ruutu, “but I guess the ref didn’t see it. I’m still bleeding from it.”

NEWARK, NJ - NOVEMBER 25: Jarkko Ruutu(notes) #73 of the Ottawa Senators defends against Jamie Langenbrunner(notes) #15 of the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on November 25, 2009 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

NJ Devils enforcer Andrew Peters: Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu an embarrassment
By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
November 25, 2009

Devils enforcer Andrew Peters has been reluctant to talk about last season’s altercation in which Ottawa’s Jarkko Ruutu bit him in the hand during a Jan. 6 game.

“He is what he is,” Peters said before Wednesday night's game against Ruutu and the Senators at the Prudential Center. “I’ve spoken to some of his teammates about him. He’s liked on his team. Players around the league don’t like him and there’s a reason for that.

“He’s good at what he does. He’s an agitator. He and I have a history but it’s not worth talking about. It goes back to him biting me last year. That’s all in the past. He was suspended for that.”

Ruutu received a two-game suspension.

“Do I hold a grudge? I don’t think I have to. I think he embarrassed himself enough by biting,” Peters noted. “There is no place in the game for biting. There are hard hits and fights. There is no biting or eye-gouging. I suppose it bothered me and embarrassed me that I had to be a part of that incident. How does the saying go, ‘Gone but not forgotten?’ ”

Jarkko quote: – November 19, 2009:

Ottawa winger Jarkko Ruutu on the run of injuries for his old club: "We don't want them healthy. They're way too good for that."

LMR comment regarding Ruutu’s quote: The Pens weren’t that good. The score was Ottawa – 6, Pens – 2. Ouch! That hurts.

Ottawa Senators' Jakko Ruutu, of Finland, is checked by Pittsburgh Penguins Martin Skoula, of Czech Republic, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Fred Chartrand)

OTTAWA, ON - NOVEMBER 17: Ian White #7 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates into the offensive zone with the puck while being pursued by Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators in a game at Scotiabank Place on November 17, 2009 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

Jarkko Ruutu quotes:

Senators are "the gang that couldn't shoot straight"
Toronto Sun
November 16, 2009

Ruutu says the goaltenders have a distinct advantage.

He believes most players only have a limited number of moves and the goaltenders study the tendencies. But it should both work ways. The shooters should also know the goaltenders’ weaknesses.

“It’s all practise. That’s all it is. At the end of practice, do some shootouts and some breakaways,” said Ruutu, who missed on his attempt against the Rangers. “It’s not really magical. Obviously, when you face a goalie (like Lundqvist), he’s really good in shootouts.

“We were actually able to score two on him and then he stopped us. They’re big points. You can’t really look back at what’s happened in the past. The stats say that we have a 50% chance to win it. That’s why you have to practise it a little bit.”

Ottawa 1, NY Rangers – 2 (SO)
November 14, 2009
Jarkko Ruutu – 1 assist

2nd Period:

4:29, Brian Lee 2 (Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Kelly)

Jarkko Ruutu shootout miss

Ottawa 4, Edmonton 3 (SO)
November 10, 2009
Jarkko Ruutu – 1 assist

3rd Period:

Ottawa: 13:11, Chris Neil 3 (Alexandre Picard, Jarkko Ruutu)

Sens 'frustration' hits home
Don Brennan - Sun Media
November 8, 2009

GM Bryan Murray visited with the referees to find out why Jarkko Ruutu was given a misconduct in the third. Devils tough guy Andrew Peters charged that Ruutu’s fingers found their way to his mouth during a scrum, but Ruutu denied such a thing happening and apparently there’s video proof to back up his claim. “There’s a pile-up and I ended up getting 10 minutes. I don’t know why,” Ruutu said after the game. What did Peters say to Ruutu with all the words he had for him as the two sat in the box? “I don’t know, I never listen to guys,” said Ruutu. “He just doesn’t like me, I guess.”

Alfie gashed, Sens bashed
Don Brennan - Sun Media
November 8, 2009

“I think we have to stay out of the box,” said Ruutu. “We just have to find a way. It’s been going on for awhile ... we just have to find a way.”

Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu displaying some offensive flair
By Lisa Wallace
The Canadian Press
November 4, 2009

OTTAWA — After seven seasons in the NHL, Jarkko Ruutu has earned the reputation of being an agitator and a pest. This year, the Ottawa Senators winger is also showing something else - a little offensive flare.

Ruutu has four goals and seven points through 12 games and is fifth in scoring for the Senators. He's on pace to score 27 goals, easily eclipsing the career-high 10 he had in 2005-06.

However, it's not something he's spent much time focusing on.

"To be honest I never really thought about it," said Ruutu. "I just go game by game. I can score when I get a chance."

While his NHL numbers may not show any offensive prowess, Ruutu was second in league scoring in the Finnish junior league in 1994-95. He had 26 goals in 35 games that year.

"I actually used to be a pretty good scorer back in the day," said Ruutu. "Given my role now, things change."

Ruutu is a solid third-or fourth-line player who is counted on for his energy and defensive abilities.

With several Senators struggling to score, coach Cory Clouston has been appreciated Ruutu's contributions.

"He deserves the success," said Clouston. "He's worked hard. He's gotten himself into position and he's made the most of his opportunities. He does have a good shot."

Linemate Chris Kelly says he isn't all that surprised by Ruutu's numbers.

"Jarkko's a really good player," said Kelly. "I don't think people give him as much credit as he deserves. He's a skilled player."

Kelly says Ruutu also has a great ability to lift the team's spirits when needed and isn't afraid to speak his mind.

That carries quite a bit of weight in the Senators dressing room.

"He speaks when something needs to be said and people will listen," said Kelly. "He also has great energy and can keep things light."

Ruutu has also seen an increase in his ice time on the penalty kill.

The Senators have the third best penalty killing unit in the league and have scored a league-high four short-handed goals.

"I really pride myself on the PK," said Ruutu. "I think it's a really important part of my game. I really enjoy PK."

As for his being considered an agitator, Ruutu can only laugh at the reputation he's earned. He knows he's been tagged as a pest, but says he's fine with the moniker.

"What I do on the ice is different than who I am off the ice. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win, I never give up."

The 34-year-old says he also thoroughly enjoys the challenge of throwing players off their game.

"It's not fun to play against the guys who don't give you room or want to drive you crazy," said Ruutu. "But if you're offensively frustrated you don't create anything."

Ruutu, in the second year of a US $3.9-million, three-year contract, joined the Senators at a time when the team was undergoing change and turmoil.

He admits last season came with its share of difficulties.

"Sometimes you get bad years," he said. "That's the way it is now. You need to get a good start. Last year I think we thought we didn't need to work as hard as you're supposed to and when little things don't go your way it hurts you in the end."

The Senators underwent more changes this year due to Dany Heatley’s trade request, but overall Ruutu believes the Senators are a better team than a year ago.

Ruutu hopes he has many more surprises in store for the Senators.

Metal fan Ruutu leads fellow Senators to Metallica concert
By Allen Panzeri, The Ottawa Citizen
November 3, 2009

About half of the Ottawa Senators went to the Metallica concert on Tuesday night, led by one of the heavy-metal band’s biggest fans, Jarkko Ruutu.

He “fell in love” with the band when he was in school in the early ’80s and has seen them in concert probably 10 times since. It helped that Ruutu was high-school classmates with another noted heavy-metal fan, former NHL defenceman Janne Niinimaa, who owns a concert hall in Oulu, Finland. Twisted Sister was the first of numerous heavy-metal bands to play there.

So what is it with Finns and their love of heavy metal? Ruutu is not sure.

“Finland is a metal country, big time,” he said. “A lot of bands come there because they sell out right away, every year. People just like it. I guess it’s the darkness in it. I don’t know.

“I think it’s the rhythm. I don’t think they listen to the words that much.

“And now there’s a lot of good metal bands coming from Finland, so it’s kind of a tradition there. I don’t know. Something dark.”

Among the other players at the show was Mike Fisher, whose girlfriend, country star Carrie Underwood, was in town last weekend. So it doesn’t take much to guess his No. 1 choice in music.

“It’ll be a good show,” Fisher said, “but I prefer country.”

Coach Cory Clouston, who admitted to being a fan of KISS, said he enjoys Metallica and would normally go to one of their concerts, but he said he’d be staying home, keeping a low profile.

Getting to know…Jarkko Ruutu
By Doug Fischer
Ottawa Citizen
November 1, 2009

Born: Helsinki, Finland
Age: 34 (Aug. 23, 1975)
Family: Single
Height: 6-1, Weight: 207 lb.
Position: Left wing, No. 73

Previous teams: HIFK (Finnish league), Syracuse (AHL), Vancouver (NHL), PIttsburgh (NHL)

What's new on your iPod? Leave This Town by Daughtry

LMR side note:

TV shows you don't like to miss: Survivor, Family Guy

Car you drive: 2005 Lexus RX

Favourite meal: Sushi

Who would you like to trade places with for a day? When he was alive, Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Hunter. I never missed his show.

Favourite athlete in another sport: Justine Henin. I love battlers, and she always gave everything.

Dream celebrity date: Keira Knightley or Charlize Theron

Value you look for in others: Honesty

Your best trait: Don't take myself too seriously

Worst habit: Candy

Best friend in hockey: My two brothers (Tuomo, who plays for Carolina Hurricanes, and Mikko, a Senators scout).

Scariest moment: Getting lost with my little brother in the pitch black and the cold on a nordic ski trip in Lapland when I was 13 or 14. We were in the middle of nowhere. Our father found us.

Favourite hockey team as a kid: Edmonton Oilers. I was a big fan of Wayne Gretzky and Jari Kurri

Worst thing you've said to an opponent on the ice: I never know what's coming out of my mouth 'till I say it. Then I forget it as fast as I say it.

Other sports you wish you were good at: Any team sport, especially soccer

Favourite three movies: Heat, Meet the Parents, The Departed

Talent you'd really like to have: Playing the guitar. I bought one a year ago and played it twice. I need to get serious.

First job: Cutting grass when I was 15

Favourite way to unwind: Playing with my girlfriend's teacup poodle, listening to music.

Latest book: I love everything by Juha Vuorinen. He's a Finnish writer. I don't think his books have been translated to English. His stuff is pretty twisted, like the one that's a diary of a guy with delirium (tremens) from alcohol.

Bucket list: Safari in Africa, travel to experience different cultures

All-time hero: My parents. They were always there and taught me so much.

Worst subject in school: Drawing

Best subject: I was good at school. Math was the most fun.

Favourite hockey city to visit: Vancouver because I used to play there. I like Chicago and Toronto, too. And Phoenix in the winter

Favourite holiday destination: I don't like to go back to places I've been. Thailand is where I want to go next.

"You can't underestimate them at all, they have a way better team than they did last year," Senators checker Jarkko Ruutu said. "They have a lot of good young guys coming in, good defencemen, goaltending. They have a good team. Injuries happen throughout the year and I don't think we let (Kovalchuk's absence) affect us as much as people think. It's just an opportunity for another guy who hasn't been able to play that role, and, obviously, it becomes his shot to get more ice time. You can't just focus on one guy." – Jarkko Ruutu – October 31, 2009 – The Ottawa Citizen

"All the little things make a big difference. Lots of times, those things go unnoticed," Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu said. "I think your penalty killing is huge." – October 30, 2009 – The Canadian Press

October 29, 2009
Tampa Bay 5, Ottawa 2
Jarkko Ruutu: 1 goal

Third Period:

Ottawa: 10:17, Jarkko Ruutu 4 (Chris Kelly, Shean Donovan)

Ottawa Senators left winger Jarkko Ruutu, of Finland, second from right, celebrates with teammates Chris Kelly (22), Shean Donovan (10), and Chris Phillips (4) after scoring a goal in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Ottawa Senators left winger Jarkko Ruutu, of Finland, left, fights with Tampa Bay Lightning's Steve Downie (9)
during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Senators Team Report – Yahoo! Sports
October 30, 2009

Regarding Jarkko Ruutu:

NOTES, QUOTES

The Senators are developing a serious dislike for Steve Downie. It actually started a couple of years ago, when the now-Lightning winger knocked former Ottawa C Dean McAmmond out with a head-hunting hit in a preseason game. Since then, RW Chris Neil has tried to settle the score with Downie a few times. D Matt Carkner has also fought him. Thursday in Tampa, it was Jarkko Ruutu’s turn. “Ruutu asked Downie to go before they actually fought, and he’s like, ‘No, no,’ then (Downie) jumps him,” said Neil. “Kind of gutless stuff, but what do you do? He’s not going to change. Everyone knows how he plays, so you’ve just got to be aware of it.”

Players Notes:

LW Jarkko Ruutu continues to make the most of limited ice time. Ruutu scored his second goal in as many nights, and fought Steve Downie, in 12:20 of work. The fourth liner now has four goals on the season. He had seven all of last season.

October 28, 2009
Ottawa 4, Florida 3
Jarkko Ruutu: 1 goal

Second Period:

Ottawa: 17:51, Jarkko Ruutu 3 (Chris Kelly, Chris Campoli)

Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu (73), of Finland, gets the puck past Florida Panthers goalie Tomas Vokoun, right, of Finland, in the second period during an NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (43), of Russia, and Senators center Chris Kelly (22) look on. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

SUNRISE, FL - OCTOBER 28: Jarkko Ruutu #73 of the Ottawa Senators scores a goal against goaltender Tomas Vokoun #29 of the Florida Panthers in the second period on October 28, 2009 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu (73), left, of Finland, celebrates with center Chris Kelly (22) and right wing Jonathan Cheechoo (41) after scoring a goal in the second period against the Florida Panthers during a NHL hockey game in Sunrise, Fla. Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu jams the puck past Tampa Bay Lightning' Todd Fedoruk (L) and goalie Mike Smith for a goal as Mattias Ohlund (top) and Vincent Lecavalier (bottom) approach the net during the third period of their NHL hockey game in Ottawa October 15, 2009. The Senators beat the Lightning 7-1. (REUTERS/Blair Gable)

October 15, 2009
Ottawa 7, Tampa Bay 1
Jarkko Ruutu - 1 goal, two assists
Jarkko Ruutu - Number 2 star

First Period:

Ottawa 10:22, Milan Michalek 2 (shorthanded) (Jarkko Ruutu)

Second Period:

Ottawa 6:15, Alexandre Picard 1 (Jarkko Ruutu, Chris Kelly)

Third Period:

Ottawa 17:01, Jarkko Ruutu 2 (Chris Kelly, Erik Karlsson)

Penguins Notebook: Ruutu expects more titles for former team
By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Tuesday, October 13, 2009

OTTAWA -- Jarkko Ruutu says he didn't see much of the Penguins' march to the Stanley Cup in the spring.

Not because of any hard feelings toward his old team.

Rather, it was all about location, location, location.

The Penguins, of course, were playing in places such as Philadelphia, Washington, Raleigh, N.C., and Detroit, and Ruutu, who had signed with Ottawa as a free agent the previous July, was in his native Finland after the Senators failed to qualify for postseason play.

"I saw a few games [on TV]," Ruutu said before the Penguins and Senators played at Scotiabank Place last night. "Not many. I was back home, and I wasn't going to get up at 3 or 4 a.m."

Not, he was quick to add, because he begrudged them their championship. Or even because he figures he will have at least a few more chances to see them celebrate Cup titles in coming years.

"I'm happy for them," Ruutu said. "The decision I made the summer before, I wouldn't change my mind.

"They made a lot of changes -- a lot of good changes, actually, if you really look at it -- and they deserve it. The guys deserve it, coming back from 10th spot in the East [when Dan Bylsma replaced Michel Therrien as coach] and being down in the final 2-zip and 3-2.

"I think Pittsburgh's going to have a lot of years like that to come."

Ruutu signed with the Senators mostly because they were willing to give him a three-year contract, while the Penguins offered two.

"I have a lot of good memories of playing in Pittsburgh," he said. "It's just that once you make a decision, you can't change your mind, and I have no regrets."

Even though he left a team he believes has multiple titles in its future.

"It's no secret they're probably the No. 1 team to beat this year again," Ruutu said. "It's kind of the same scenario Edmonton had in the '80s.

"It's great for the fans in Pittsburgh. After a few tough years, things are working out for them."

October 10, 2009
Senators vs. Thrashers
Senators 4, Thrashers 2

First period:

Ottawa: 2:25, Jarkko Ruutu (1) (Chris Kelly, Shean Donovan)

The Ottawa Citizen
October 9, 2009

500 FOR JARKKO

The Senators first home game of the season was the 500th of Jarkko Ruutu’s career. That’s a lot of pestilence.

“Who would have thunkit?” Ruutu says of the milestone. “As a kid, you don’t dream of 500 NHL games, you dream of one game.”

Ruutu cites the 2008 Stanley Cup final with Pittsburgh as one of his career highlights, but insists he doesn’t regret moving to Ottawa as a free agent that summer, eventually missing out on the Penguins Cup championship last spring.

“I would still make the same decision,” Ruutu says.

Ottawa Senators Shean Donovan celebrates his goal with teammates Chris Kelly (L) and Jarkko Ruutu (R)
against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of their NHL hockey game in Toronto October 6, 2009 - Reuters Pictures

Ottawa Senators 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs – October 6, 2009
Jarkko Ruutu – 499 games played

LW Jarkko Ruutu was a pain in the side of the Leafs. Along with his usual pest-like behavior, Ruutu had an assist and three shots on goal in 9:30 of ice time.

Among the forwards are Jarkko Ruutu (Ottawa), Tuomo Ruutu (Carolina)

CBC Sports Staff
May 20, 2009

OH, BROTHER

Ruutu’s brother, Jarkko, spent two seasons in Pittsburgh before signing with Ottawa as a free agent last summer and became something of a cult hero because of his feisty, sometimes nasty, style of play.

Jarkko Ruutu’s penchant for doing whatever he deems necessary to get opponents off their game has made him extremely unpopular (to put it politely) around the league, and other teams don’t care much for playing against his brother, either.

In Tuomo’s case, though, it’s mostly because he blends serious talent with a physical edge.

“They play completely different games,” Pittsburgh defenceman Brooks Orpik said. “(Tuomo) is more of a guy who tries to run you through the boards all of the time. (Jarkko) is more of an agitator. Tuomo is more of an up-and-down guy who is a really good skater and really physical.”

Americans into semis
Americans end Finnish jinx to meet Russia in semi-finals
By Andrew Podnieks
May 6, 2009

BERNE – Buoyed by three goals in the second period, the United States skated to a tight 3-2 win over Finland to advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 2004. They’ll play Russia on May 8 at 16:15 local time.

The last time the Americans beat Finland at an IIHF event was at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake, a skein of eight games (seven wins and a tie for Finland). During that time the teams have met in the quarterfinals in 2008, 2007, and 2004, the Finns winning each time.

"We're excited we won the game," American goalie Robert Esche said. "Finland was a great team the whole tournament. I think this was the best game I played so far," he admitted, referring to the 49 shots he faced which earned him player of the game honours.

Tonight, the Americans were the faster team and moved the puck more effectively and with greater confidence.

"I dont think we played our game," admitted Jarkko Ruutu. "I think we were a little nervous. They got a couple of quick goals in the second period, and we couldn't really answer."

Although the first period was scoreless, it was not without drama and excitement. Both sides had excellent scoring chances, notably Mikko Lehtonen and Colin Wilson. In the case of Finnish Lehtonen, the defenceman ripped a shot off the crossbar from the point on a power play.

In Wilson’s case, he took a great pass to the back side of the net and almost stuffed the puck in, but Pekka Rinne made a fine pad save. Robert Esche, who hasn’t been the top goalie in the tournament by any means, nonetheless had an excellent period and looked ready for a big game.

The Finns had the only three power plays of the period and outshot the Americans 20-7. The last of those man advantage situations carried over to the second period, and that is how the Finns opened the scoring. Antti Miettinen tried to stuff the puck in the stick side of Esche’s goal, and although the goalie made the save, the puck popped free to the other side where Niko Kapanen calmly smacked it in to send the pro-Finnish crowd into a frenzy.

That frenzy subsided midway through the period on a United States five-on-three when Dustin Brown finished off a great three-way passing play with Ryan Suter and Ron Hainsey to tie the score. His one-timer beat Rinne who couldn’t get from post to post quickly enough.

Less than three minutes later, the Finns were caught deep in the American end and the U.S. broke out on a four-on-one. T.J. Oshie finished the rush in similar fashion to Brown, one-timing a pass to Rinne’s stick side to make it 2-1 U.S.

If the Finns weren’t in enough of a state of shock, the third American goal was truly a stunner. The Americans came up ice on a routine three-on-three, but a pass hit a Finnish defenceman in front and ended up on the stick of Suter, who had the open side of the net. Rinne had no chance.

"Our transition was good, and our second and third goals were the result of us beating them up ice," Brown noted.

The Finns got a much needed shot of confidence off a harmless-looking rush of their own late in the period. Immonen took a simple wrist shot that Esche couldn’t handle and Hannes Hyvonen banged home the rebound at 17:50 to get to within a goal before the second intermission.

The third period was tense, but it was the Finns who looked nervous while the Americans skated with confidence, refusing to lay back and sit on the lead.

"Esche was great for us in the third period," Brown said. "He made some big saves for us in the third period." Indeed, Esche robbed Niklas Hagman with a great glove grab midway through the period that had the Finn looking to the rafters in disbelief.

"It's going to be exciting to play against the Russians," Esche said. "They're an unbelievable team and you just hope you can stay in there as long as possible. I like our coaching staff. It's the best we've ever had, top to bottom."

US player Colin Willson (C) controls a puck, as Finland's Jarkko Ruutu (L) of the Ottawa Senators follows him during a quarter-final game of the IIHF International Ice Hockey World Championship in Bern on May 6, 2009. – Getty Images

No “I” in Team Finland
Lack of ego is Suomi's blessing - and curse
By Lucas Aykroyd
May 6, 2009

BERNE – Ever wondered why Finland invariably ices a cohesive, competitive team at the IIHF World Championship, and almost as invariably doesn't win it all?

It just might be the fact that there's no “I” in Team Finland. (Yes, there literally is an “i” in “Finland”, for all you spelling and grammar fanatics out there, but let's focus on the metaphor here, shall we?)

Getting the Finnish team ready to play from Day One has to be one of the simplest tasks in international hockey. Compare the blue-and-white squad to some other top nations.

Canada has been remarkably successful in getting its stars to “check their egos at the door” in recent years. But usually when the team assembles, there's a pre-tournament discussion about how this or that star may have to accept a different role, perhaps as a checker, whether it's a Jason Spezza or a Joe Thornton.

With the Russians, you wonder if, say, Alexander Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin will get along, or whether the domestic league players and NHLers will meld well. Will the American talent on paper translate into on-ice success? Will the Slovaks deliver a consistent performance or vanish into the horrors of the Relegation Round?

But with the Finns, it's pretty much a given nowadays that they'll bring a strong, consistent performance from the get-go. The depth in goal, the commitment to defence, the work ethic, and the skating ability are factors that don't waver.

Coming from a country of 5.2 million inhabitants, the Finns have grown up playing together at both the junior and senior level. They know the expectations for their individual roles as soon as they walk into the national team dressing room.

As for managing egos or interpersonal conflicts, that's almost a non-issue.

Sure, you can go back to the flare-up between Janne Niinimaa and then-national team coach Raimo Summanen during the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, which resulted in the veteran defenceman leaving the team. But even that didn't kill the spirit of Finland, which marched to the final before losing 3-2 to Canada. And that flare-up was a rare exception.

Think about Finland's biggest veteran stars: Saku Koivu, Teemu Selänne, Olli Jokinen, Miikka Kiprusoff. Or the leaders of coach Jukka Jalonen's team here in Berne: captain Sami Kapanen, Jarkko Ruutu, Petteri Nummelin, Niko Kapanen, Antti Miettinen.

Where's the big ego there?

At worst, unsubstantiated rumours have circulated that Jokinen isn't beloved among his NHL teammates. Ruutu was just voted the NHL's third-dirtiest player in a Sports Illustrated poll of NHLers. Kiprusoff didn't make friends in the Finnish federation when he elected to take a pass on the 2006 Olympics.

Yet you don't hear anybody complaining about them or their contributions in the Team Finland dressing room. You don't hear about Selanne demanding a limousine, champagne, and a pre-heated sauna, even though he's one of the NHL's all-time legends.

The intrinsically humble Finnish mentality keeps them behaving as if they were all second-liners who have to earn everything they've got.

The question, though, is whether that lack of ego can result in nobody taking charge at key moments. Sometimes, someone has to say (in effect), “Hey, I'm the man, and even though we're facing adversity at this point in the biggest game of the year, I'm personally going to stand up and turn this thing around with a huge goal, pass, or hit.”

Until that happens consistently, Finland will remain the team that pundits pick to win a medal of any colour other than gold.

Lucas Aykroyd is IIHF.com's correspondent in Vancouver, the home of the 2010 Winter Olympics. He has covered all IIHF World Championships since 2000, plus the 2002 and 2006 Olympics. The opinions expressed in this column do not necessarily reflect the official views of the IIHF.

The Ruut-u of all evil
By Bruce Garrioch – Sun Media
CANOE -- SLAM!
May 6, 2009

Jarkko Ruutu's opponents love to hate him.

In a poll of 324 players released in this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, the Senators' pesky winger finished third in voting behind Anaheim's Chris Pronger and Dallas forward Steve Ott when NHLers were asked: "Who is the dirtiest player in the league?"

It's no surprise that Pronger is at the top of the list with 13% of the votes from players because as the poll notes he "has been suspended by the league eight times for questionable hits or other on-ice infractions, twice during the 2007 playoffs."

Senators fans know how dirty Pronger can be. He was given a one-game suspension in the 2007 Stanley Cup final for elbowing forward Dean McAmmond in the head. Pronger was also suspended earlier that spring for a hit on Detroit's Tomas Holmstrom.

While Pronger has been on good behaviour lately, he was suspended for eight games in March, 2008 for stomping on the leg of Vancouver's Ryan Kesler.

Ott also received 13% of the vote. With 35 minor penalties in 64 games, Ott had the highest ratio of penalties among those who played at least 50 games last season. He drew a one-game ban March 1 for gouging the eye of Anaheim's Travis Moen.

Ruutu, who has a tremendous ability to goad his opponents into penalties and was suspended twice during the regular season, received 12% support from his peers. He has often said that he likes to get under the skin of his foes, but has to watch crossing the line.

Not only did Ruutu get the book thrown at him for elbowing Montreal's Maxim Lapierre in the head in November, he also had his infamous biting incident with Buffalo's Andrew Peters in January at the HSBC Arena. Each incident earned Ruutu a two-game ban. According to SI, that got Ruutu plenty of votes.

"That's the way some of these guys have to play to stay in the league. I'm sure in Ruutu's case, biting Peters' thumb had a lot to do with where he stood," said Sportsnet analyst Nick Kypreos, a former NHL heavyweight. "These guys have to play with an edge or they're not effective. You've got be dirty to be effective. They'll do whatever it takes to win and sometimes they cross the line."

Surprisingly, Rangers bad boy Sean Avery finished fourth with only 10% of the vote.

Last season, Avery was the hands-down winner at 24%, but he might have been suspended or playing in the AHL when the poll was conducted.

"This poll had to be taken while Avery was in the minors. If he was playing in the league, he would have been at the top of the list because he would have been on everybody's minds," said Kypreos.

A distant fifth was Flyers winger Scott Hartnell, who received 5% of the vote.

Ruutu makes all-dirty team
Senators winger No. 3 behind Pronger, Ott
Ottawa Citizen
May 6, 2009

Through his first few seasons, Jarkko Ruutu carved a reputation as one of the National Hockey League's most effective pests and agitators.

His reputation has grown to the point that today the Ottawa Senators winger is considered one of the league's dirtiest players, third only to Anaheim Ducks defenceman Chris Pronger and Dallas Stars forward Steve Ott.

So says a poll of 324 NHL players by Sports Illustrated in a story that appears in this week's edition.

Ruutu garnered 12 per cent of the vote, just one percentage point behind Pronger and Ott, and two percentage points ahead of NHL bad boy Sean Avery, who began the season in Dallas, was banished for a time for ill-advised remarks about former girlfriends, then wound his way back into the league with the New York Rangers.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Hartnell placed fifth on the list of dubious distinction.

That Ruutu placed so close in voting to Pronger speaks volumes about the contempt opposing players feel for him. Pronger has been suspended by the league eight times for hits or other on-ice infractions, including a pair of suspensions during the 2007 playoffs, which ended with the Ducks defeating the Ottawa Senators in the Stanley Cup final.

Trouble just seems to follow Ruutu around.

Even Monday when he was scoring two goals in the shootout to lead Finland past Team Canada at the world championships in Switzerland, the enduring picture of Ruutu from that game will be of him being sent to the dressing room late in the second period for taking a penalty for diving.

A day later, players were still shaking their heads at Ruutu's theatrics, crashing to the ice after two separate hits during Finland's 4-3 shootout win. The second time, after a Steven Stamkos shove, the Finnish forward stayed on the ice for nearly half a minute.

Team Canada executive Steve Yzerman said he thought Ruutu was dead -- twice.

Canadian forward Mike Fisher, Ruutu's Senators teammate, said, "Yeah, I was wondering who shot him there. Someone from the stands? They still haven't found him yet." But at least that incident wasn't what anyone would call dirty.

More than likely, Ruutu cemented his place on the list in January for allegedly biting the thumb of Buffalo Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters. That incident earned him a two-game suspension, a $31,700 fine and bad publicity throughout the hockey world.

Earlier in the season, he also earned a two-game suspension for elbowing the Montreal Canadiens' Maxim Lapierre in the head.

Ruutu is also remembered for checking an already prone and crouching Jaromir Jagr at the 2006 Olympics.

Ruutu, 33, scored seven goals and 21 points in his first season with the Senators while accumulating 144 minutes in penalties.

Jarkko Ruutu quote regarding Finland's game against Canada on May 4, 2009 (IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship)

"In the overall game, we initiated the situations," Ruutu said. "We were able to put the pressure on them, I mean it was probably the first game they've played against that kind of pressure - and I don't think they were ready for it."

Pronger, Ott named NHL’s dirtiest players
May 5, 2009

Chris Pronger and Steve Ott are the dirtiest players in the National Hockey League, according to a survey of their fellow players.

A Sports Illustrated poll of 324 players that is to appear in this week’s issue has Anaheim Ducks defenceman Pronger and Dallas Stars forward Ott in a tie, each chosen by 13 per cent of their peers.

Jarkko Ruutu of the Ottawa Senators was third at 12 per cent, with Sean Avery of the New York Rangers fourth at 10 per cent, followed by Scott Hartnell of the Philadelphia Flyers at five per cent.

Finland's Jarkko Ruutu (R) celebrates after his team scored against Canada as Canadian goalkeepr Dwayne Roloson (L) looks on during their qualifying round group F game of the IIHF International Ice Hockey World Championship in Zurich on May 4, 2009. – Getty Images

Canada stays on top after loss
A barnburner, a dustup, a CAN-FIN battle royale
By Andrew Podnieks
May 5, 2009

ZURICH-KLOTEN – Hannes Hyvonen scored the shootout winner after 65 minutes of end-to-end, tough hockey in Kloten to give Finland a 4-3 victory. However, Canada still finishes in top spot in Group F and will play the fourth place team from Group E, Latvia, while Finland takes on Team USA.

"We got off to a good start and tried to play their game," Niklas Hagman observed. "They have a lot of skilled forwards who don't like to play in their end, so we tried to shoot from everywhere and keet the puck in their end."

The white of Canada played the blue of Finland tonight, but by the end of Finland’s 4-3 win both teams were black and bruised from the hard-fought contest. So much for calling this a throw-away game in the Qualification Round schedule.

"If there was a game to lose, this was it," Canadian captain Shane Doan said. "It gives us fire in the belly for the next game. We have to battle every shift, and we didn't do that tonight."

Finland opened the scoring at 4:02 thanks to some good fore checking and forcing a turnover along the boards in the Canadian end. Sami Kapanen got the puck and drove to the net before passing behind the play to Tuomas Pihlman, who drilled a quick wrist shot over the glove of Dwayne Roloson. The goal marked the first time in the tournament (six games) that Canada has trailed at any moment.

The goal gave the Finns confidence, but the more they stepped up the tempo the more the Canadians responded. The result was several minutes of end-to-end action with plenty of good scoring chances and fine goaltending.

Then, at 7:54, the Finns got a second goal when Anssi Salmela’s weak wrist shot from the point fooled Roloson to give Suomi an early 2-0 lead.

The game turned nasty on several occasions as players from both sides hit hard and pushed and shoved after the whistle. One such scrum resulted in a Canadian power play at 15:11, and the top-scoring team in the tournament responded when Jason Spezza smartly banked the puck off goalie Pekka Rinne from behind the end red line.

The second period saw fewer scoring chances, but the intensity rose several notches as play got more and more physical. Canada, however, ran into penalty trouble several times, taking senseless penalties that prevented it from building on Spezza’s earlier goal.

In all, Canada took six minors to Finland’s three, but even when the Finns had a lengthy five-on-three, the Canadian penalty killers did their job and kept the game 2-1. Finally, however, Doan took his third minor penalty of the period and Niko Kapanen slid the puck between Roloson’s pads to restore the two-goal lead for Finland.

Canada came right back on its second power play of the period as Derek Roy made a great pass in the slot to Dany Heatley and his quick redirect beat Rinne to the far side to make it 3-2.

The period ended on a nasty note. After a whistle with just two seconds left on the clock, Jarkko Ruutu pushed Steve Stamkos, who responded with a crosscheck. Ruutu fell to the ice as if shot and lay there for several minutes, but both players were assessed minors by the referees and Ruutu was back in perfect working order for the third period.

That set the stage for the final period of hockey in Kloten for this 2009 World Championship. Canada came out like gangbusters and dominated the play, generating scoring chances with plenty of hitting and an aggressive forecheck. This work created a power play midway through the period, and again the extra man clicked for Canada. This time it was Dany Heatley in the slot firing a shot that Rinne got a piece of before finding the back of the net. Tie game with just over half a period to play.

"We scored early, but they battled back," Hagman said. "Give them credit. Their special teams are very good."

Knowing that his team had to win in regulation to finish first in the group, Finnish coach Jukka Jalonen pulled Rinne with about 30 seconds to go. The ploy didn't get a goal, but it did create a power play to start the overtime after Matthew Lombardi was called for high-sticking at 19:53.

Canada killed off the penalty, and neither team could score in the five-minute extra period, setting up the shootout heroics which went to 14 total shots. Martin St. Louis and Ruutu both took three shots and scored twice.

"We're a better team now," Roloson said after. "We faced some adversity tonight, and that will serve us well for the rest of the tournament."

Finland's Jarkko Ruutu falls after being hit by Canada's Steve Stamkos during the second period at the IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship hockey game on Monday, May 4, 2009 in Kloten, Switzerland. Ruutu was penalized for diving while Stamkos was called for roughing. – AP Photo

Canada's goalie Dwayne Roloson makes a save on Finland's Jarkko Ruutu during the overtime shootout at their IIHF World Hockey Championship game in Zurich May 4, 2009. – Reuters

Canada loses to Finns in world hockey shootout
By Chris Johnston
TheStar.com – The Canadian Press
May 4, 2009

KLOTEN, Switzerland – Canada has its first defeat of the IIHF World Hockey Championship

While Monday's 4-3 shootout loss to Finland didn't affect Canada's position in the standings, it did show just how tough the road to gold will be.

Hannes Hyvonen scored the shootout winner Monday as both teams wrapped up the round robin. His goal came in the seventh round of a shootout that saw Canada's Martin St. Louis and Finland's Jarkko Ruutu each score twice.

Canada still clinched first in its pool with the point it earned for the loss in extra time and will face Latvia in the quarter-finals. The Finns were so desperate for a win in regulation that coach Jukka Jalonen pulled goaltender Pekka Rinne in the final minute with the game tied.

Tuomas Pihlman, Anssi Salmela, Niko Kapanen scored in regulation for Finland, who will play the Americans in the final eight.

Dany Heatley led Canada with a pair of goals while Jason Spezza added a single.

In Monday's other games, Switzerland edged the U.S. 4-3 in overtime, Slovakia beat Norway 3-2 in overtime, Sweden downed France 6-3 and Denmark avoided relegation by beating Austria 5-2.

The Canadians had been anticipating their first true test of the tournament and the Finns gave it to them for more than 60 minutes. Finland flashed more speed than any of Canada's previous opponents and was able to spring several players early in the game.

Pihlman opened the scoring with his second goal of the tournament. Canadian defenceman Braydon Coburn accidentally knocked the puck on to the Finnish forward's stick and he beat Dwayne Roloson at 4:02.

And they kept coming.

Hannes Hyvonen walked in off the point and tested Roloson with a tricky shot before Ruutu had a pass bounce over his stick while standing alone at the side of an empty net. However, the puck ended up coming around the boards after that play and Salmela made it 2-0 with a point shot that appeared to bounce off Derek Roy's glove and in.

Chants of "Suomi! Suomi!" were ringing through Kloten Arena but Canada soon found an answer.

They worked the puck around on their first power play of the game before Spezza banked it in off Rinne from behind the goal at 16:02. The Finnish netminder should have had it.

Canada carried some momentum into the second period but gave it up by getting into penalty trouble. Captain Shane Doan was called for three minors in the period – the last of which led to Finland's third goal when Kapanen slid the puck between Roloson's legs on the power play at 17:22.

Heatley got that one back less than a minute later on a Canadian power play. Standing in the high slot, he tipped Derek Roy's pass behind Rinne to narrow the score to 3-2.

A chippy period ended fittingly with Ruutu getting pushed by Canada's Steven Stamkos after a whistle and dropping like he'd been shot. However, the Finnish pest didn't fool the referees with his act and the players received offsetting penalties – Stamkos for roughing and Ruutu for diving.

The Canadian equalizer came on another power play. Heatley beat Rinne at 9:20 with wrist shot, setting the stage for extra time.

Canada's goalie Dwayne Roloson makes a save on Finland's Jarkko Ruutu
during the third period of their IIHF World Hockey Championship game in Zurich May 4, 2009. - Reuters

Team Canada Matthew Lombardi and Finland's Jarkko Ruutu collide during the third period of the IIHF Men's World Hockey Championship game on Monday, May 4, 2009 in Kloten, Switzerland. Canada lost 4-3 in shoot out. – AP Photo

Slovak Marcel Hossa (C) vies with Finnish Janne Niinimaa (L) and Jarkko Ruutu (73) of the Ottawa Senators
during their qualifying round group F game of the IIHF International Ice Hockey World Championship in Zurich on May 1, 2009. – Getty Images

Puck Prospectus: Q & A Jarkko Ruutu
By David Laurila
April 8, 2009

Jarkko Ruutu is hockey’s version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Currently in his ninth NHL season, and his first with the Ottawa Senators, Ruutu is as nasty as they come on the ice, doggedly infuriating opposing players, and their fans, with his agitating style of play. Off the ice, the 33-year-old native of Helsinki is the polar opposite. Appearing almost professorial behind a pair of wire-rim glasses, Ruutu is at once thoughtful and playful, having somehow morphed from Public Enemy Number One into the genial family man who lives next door. Ruutu talked about his dual personality, including the role he plays as an instigator, prior to a recent game.

David Laurila: Are you a different person off the ice than you are on the ice?

Jarkko Ruutu: I would think that those are two different things. I think I’m pretty positive and a little goofy, I guess. I’m not too serious of a guy. But I do try to do everything 100 percent; I put 100 percent into everything I do. Maybe it’s easier to ask the other guys what I‘m like off the ice, though. But I try to be like that.

DL: Are people often surprised to find that you have a much different personality off the ice?

JR: Yeah, almost every time. I meet people and their comment afterwards -- either they tell it to me or they tell someone else -- is, well, “He’s actually a good guy and I thought it would be totally different.” But it’s the picture you get through the media, and there’s the way I play, so I don’t blame them. That’s just the way it is. But I have no problems with it.

DL: How do you view your role on the ice?

JR: I’m not fun to play against. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to win, because winning is the best thing there is. I’ve been really fortunate to play for successful teams at a lot of different levels and I guess that’s why teams keep signing me. I think that crunch time is when I maybe play my best hockey, too.

DL: When you left Finland to play at Michigan Tech, could you have imagined yourself playing in the NHL, in this particular role?

JR: You never know what is going to happen down the road. I’ve always looked at it as today. I give 100 percent, whatever I’ve got. I’ll do extra work, and if you do that you’ll get whatever you’re supposed to. Nobody can tell you that you’re going to be an NHL player if you don’t put the effort into it. And even if you have all the skill and work ethic, you might get hurt. It’s a long way, but when I look back, it’s amazing where I’ve been since then.

DL: What brought you to Michigan Tech in 1995?

JR: What happened is that I was going to actually sign with a Finnish Elite League team. The season was over for me and we were just playing some shinny. One of the other Finnish guys was supposed to go there and the coach came to see him. By accident, our coach was friends with the guy so they stopped by and he ended up offering me a full ride. I thought about it for two months -- I had papers ready for both places, signing with the Elite or going there -- and I thought, “Why not?” I figured I’d go there to see what it was like and I think it was a great experience. It taught me a lot, playing in college. A lot of people don’t understand what that takes. You have to go to school and do your homework, and then you have to practice and play; you have no free time. It takes a lot out of you, but it teaches you a lot, too.

DL: Michigan Tech is in Houghton, a community with a lot of Finnish heritage, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Did you find it to be at all similar to your homeland?

JR: I’m from the Helsinki area, so it was so much smaller than what I was used to, and there’s way more snow, too. I don’t know. A lot of people think it’s the exact same, but it’s changed a lot from when all the immigrants moved there from Finland. It’s changed over the years and the culture is kind of mixed. Yeah, there are some Finnish things, but mostly it was just an opportunity to go to school with some American and Canadian kids.

DL: Do you ever speak Finnish on the ice? Not to other Finns, but to players you’re trying to agitate?

JR: No, I never speak any, but I guess that maybe they don’t understand me and think I’m speaking Finnish, sometimes. They’re probably a little confused with me anyway. Most of the time I don’t even remember what I’m saying on the ice. I don’t even listen to what the other guys are saying, so it‘s hard to tell if they know what I‘m saying.

DL: Are there certain players around the league who are much harder to knock off their game than others?

JR: I think you just have to go game by game. You know the teams. You play against the teams, so you know the guys who you can get off their game and frustrate them more than others, but it also has a lot to do with the situation of the game. If you’re up, it’s a lot easier to get guys going. If you’re down it doesn’t really work as well. It’s just a fine line. You have to be able to read what’s happening in the game, and within the players, and target…yeah, you can target a guy and get everybody else going after you. That’s where…sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn’t. So it’s not just one thing. You have to be able to read what’s happening on the ice.

DL: You said that you’re not fun to play against. Who are some of the guys that aren’t fun for you to play against, not because of their skill, but because of their edginess?

JR: It’s tough to say. There are a lot of guys. If you just look at our team, there’s a guy like [Anton] Volchenkov and how he plays. Guys like that, they don’t give you any room and are always going for a hit. They’re solid skaters and they’re strong…there are a lot of guys. I could probably name quite a few of them. I don’t have the list in front of me, though.

DL: What role do penalties play in your game, both how many you take and how many you’re able to draw?

JR: It goes both ways, and I think I’m being called for penalties a lot easier than a lot of other guys, but I understand that’s part of my reputation. It goes the other way -- guys don’t get called when they do stuff with me. But hey, like I said, you have to initiate and make them retaliate, and it’s a lot easier to do when you’re winning. Yeah, it’s part of it.

DL: Does who is officiating on a given night impact your play, because of the way they call the game?

JR: I don’t really pay too much attention to that, I know there are a lot of guys who don’t like me, so I just have to be careful. I have to accept my role, and the reputation…where I’m at. I have to play along with it. Like I said, there are a lot of guys in the league, and referees, who want to see me get called, or fail. But I understand it and I have no problem with it.

DL: A number of guys who play the role of an agitator don’t like to drop the gloves. Do you mind fighting?

JR: I think it’s part of the game, and I like it. But I know my limits; I‘m not stupid. And staged fighting doesn’t really do anything. I think you have to time it right. There’s a time and place for it; sometimes you need it and sometimes you don’t. You have to know…even if you know you can fight a guy, and it would be a good thing, you don’t want to do it because you know it’s not going to help your team in that situation. You don’t want to wake up the other team. So it’s a game-by-game, basis-by-basis thing, and I like it. I don’t mind it.

DL: Any final thoughts?

JR: It’s one of those things…I know myself pretty well. I accept who I am, and maybe some of these things you should ask my teammates. They had a certain picture before they played with me. They only knew me from the ice, and that’s a different person, I think. You’d have to ask them.

Czech Republic's Ondrej Nemec, left, and Marek Zidlicky, front, battle for the puck with Finland's Tommi Santala, right, and Jarkko Ruutu (73)
during their Group D World Ice Hockey Championship match in Zurich, Switzerland, Wednesday, April 29, 2009. – AP Photo

Finland's Tommi Santala (L) and Jarkko Ruutu (R) scuffle with Norway's Anders Myrvold
during their IIHF World Hockey Championship game in Zurich April 25, 2009. – Reuters Photo

The US and Finland won their first games at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland
Swissinfo
April 25, 2009

Finland dominates:

In Zurich, a strong squad from Finland took full advantage of Norway's ten penalties.

Antti Miettinen's power play goal on Norwegian goalie Pal Grotnes at 13:44 in the first period started things off for the world's fourth ranked team.

Teammate Jarkko Immonen would follow less than three minutes later, with Niko Kapanen scoring with two seconds left in the first period.

Mika Pyorala of Finland scored just over 14 minutes into the second period, assisted by Tuomas Pihlman.

Four minutes into the third period, Mikko Lehtonen scored another power play goal, assisted by Jarkko Ruutu of the Ottawa Senators.

With less than two minutes to go Finland's Janne Niinimaa was sent off the ice with a ten-minute misconduct penalty.

Finland play Denmark on Monday evening in Group D. The Czech Republic face Norway in the afternoon in Zurich.

Seven NHL players star on Finnish team
iihf.com
April 20, 2009

HELSINKI – Finland named its national team for the 2009 IIHF World Championship following the Euro Hockey Tour in the Czech Republic. 25 players are in the preliminary roster which will be cut by two skaters.

After several NHL players had to decline due to injuries, Finland has seven NHL players on its list with goalkeepers Pekka Rinne and Karri Ramo, defencemen Ville Koistinen and Anssi Salmela, and wingers Niklas Hagman, Antti Miettinen and Jarkko Ruutu. Eight players come from the domestic league, five from Swedish clubs, three from Switzerland and two from the Russian KHL.

Finland roster as of April 19:

Goalkeepers: Juuso Riksman (Jokerit Helsinki), Pekka Rinne (Nashville, NHL), Karri Ramo (Tampa Bay, NHL).

Defencemen: Teemu Aalto (Linkoping, SWE), Topi Jaakola (Sodertalje, SWE), Ville Koistinen (Nashville, NHL), Mikko Lehtonen (Timra, SWE), Janne Niinimaa (Langnau, SUI), Janne Niskala (Frolunda, SWE), Petteri Nummelin (Lugano, SUI), Anssi Salmela (Atlanta, NHL).

Forwards: Niklas Hagman (Toronto, NHL), Juha-Pekka Hytonen (Jyvaskyla), Hannes Hyvonen (Dynamo Minsk, KHL), Jarkko Immonen (Jyvaskyla), Niko Kapanen (Kazan, KHL), Sami Kapanen (Kuopio), Kalle Kerman (Jokerit Helsinki), Leo Komarov (Lahti), Antti Miettinen (Minnesota, NHL), Tuomas Pihlman (Jyvaskyla), Mika Pyorala (Timra, SWE), Jarkko Ruutu (Ottawa, NHL), Tommi Santala (Kloten, SUI), Ville Vahalahti (Turku).

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu leaves the rink following the team's season wrap-up availability in Ottawa on Monday, April 13, 2009.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Sean Kilpatrick)

Canada.com
April 13, 2009

Numbers relating to Ruutu:

144: Number of penalty minutes for Jarkko Ruutu, the second-highest on the team
4: Number of majors taken by Ruutu, the second-most on the team
47: Number of minors taken by Ruutu, the most on the team

Sens ready for Leafs, come what may
Ottawa Citizen.com
April 11, 2009

Jarkko Ruutu, who will never be mistaken for Spezza, will have his best season as a pro.

He has seven goals and 14 assists in 77 games.

That tops a career high of 17 points in 2005-06 with Vancouver.

Also, Ruutu would have played every game if he hadn't missed four through suspension.

"I just have to chip in when I can," he said."But it obviously feels good when you can contribute some goals and assists."

Watching the Sens' home finale were two bright lights
Sports - Columnists – Brennan - CANOE -- SLAM!
April 10, 2009

Just sayin'…..

For whatever reason, Cheapseats decided to ask Jarkko Ruutu for his Masters' pick. Not counting Tiger. "But that's the only golfer I know," smirked Ruutu. "I would have picked John Daly, he's my favourite, but I don't know if he's in the tournament."

Sens – 2, Devils – 3
April 9, 2009

1st Period

4:13 - Goal scored by Jarkko Ruutu (7)
Assisted by Brian Lee (11) and Jesse Winchester (14)

3rd Period

5:46 - 2 minute penalty on Jarkko Ruutu for Hooking

'Grim reaper' watches, waits to see who falls in NHL
The Ottawa Citizen
April 8, 2009

Item relating to Jarkko Ruutu and the upcoming world hockey championship in Switzerland...

Ruutu Ready to Roll:

Jarkko Ruutu, the Senators' professional pest, always answers the call when Team Finland is on the line, and this year will be no exception. As long as he comes through Ottawa's final games healthy, Ruutu will go to Switzerland, if asked. Ruutu has represented Finland in the past two Olympic Games and two of the past three worlds. (He missed last year's worlds because the Pittsburgh Penguins went all the way to the Stanley Cup final.)

"It's always fun to play again for your country," Ruutu says. "You only get so many chances to do it. Once you're retired, you're done, you can't get it back."

Sens - 3, Boston - 2
April 7, 2009

1st Period:

10:25 Short-Handed Goal scored by Mike Fisher (13) Assisted by Anton Volchenkov (8) and Jarkko Ruutu (14)

Comment: The Pens needed Ruutu on Sunday (April 5) against the Panthers. I have no doubt in my mind he would have stood up for Malkin. Crosby was the only one that came to Malkin's rescue. The Pens looked pathetic! I can picture Jarkko and his aggressive, lively, spirited, energetic, go-getting ways. Put it this way.....I miss that Feisty Finn!

Sens – 4, Flyers – 3 (SO)
April 4, 2009

1st period:

5:41 – 2 minute penalty on Jarkko Ruutu for Roughing

2nd period:

10:43 – 2 minute penalty on Jarkko Ruutu for Interference

Can we bring these points to next year?: Sens 4, Flyers 3 (SO) - Silver Seven
By Peter R
April 5, 2009

I'm going to give Jarkko Ruutu credit for standing up for Kuba after he was hit by Daniel Carcillo in the first period. Sure, Ruutu got an extra penalty, but after watching Alfredsson get decked by Mark Bell at the end of last season and no teammate step up for him--something that's not been uncommon for the Sens--it was good to see what appeared to be a willingness to fight for one another. And in the end, the event got Carcillo so pissed off that he was assessed a two-minute penalty and a game misconduct, and the Sens scored on the resultant 5-on-3.

The Associated Press: Fisher gives Senators shootout win over Flyers
April 5, 2009

Carcillo got a boarding penalty 5:41 in for his hit on Filip Kuba. Ruutu got double roughing minors after he immediately came to his teammate's defense, jumping on Carcillo and sliding on top of him across the ice.

Metro - Bruins 2, Senators 1
Friday, April 3, 2009

Dueling: Hnidy, Ruutu go at it. Shane Hnidy and Ottawa’s Jarkko Ruutu had Friday’s most entertaining long running duel. Just two shifts into the game, Hnidy and Ruutu locked horns and appeared close to dropping the gloves at center ice. Five minutes later, Hnidy crunched Ruutu into the boards with a loud hit. In a chipping moment later, Ruutu bowled over Tim Thomas.

Comment: Even though I miss Ruutu playing for us, Matt Cooke was a good addition for the Pens.

Cooke proving he is handier than Ruutu for Penguins
By Shelly Anderson
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
March 31, 2009

It's a comparison Matt Cooke has been trying to shake since he signed with the Penguins as a free agent in the summer, three days after the team lost Jarkko Ruutu.

Yes, both are left wingers who are considered gritty players and agitators.

Yet as his first season with the Penguins winds down, Cooke would like to think he has shown that while he has provided a useful role, it is not the same one previously held by Ruutu, who signed with Ottawa.

"I tried to tell people that we're different types of players," Cooke said yesterday after the Penguins practiced at Mellon Arena.

"I guess we try and create the same situation in a game, but we go about it in a completely different approach.

"I'm not a guy who's going to stick guys behind the play or after the whistle. I don't do a lot of rubbing in the face and that kind of stuff.

"I'm more of a guy who's going to play everybody hard, hit everybody no matter whether it's a fourth-line guy or their top defenseman. That just works for me."

Interim coach Dan Bylsma put Cooke in position to distance himself from the Ruutu comparisons by elevating him to a top-six forward spot over the past two games.

Cooke is playing alongside center and NHL leading scorer Evgeni Malkin and right winger Petr Sykora.

It's not as if the snarly mug of Ruutu has gotten that kind of love from a coach during his career.

Now that he's in such a prominent spot, away from his normal third- and fourth-line duties, Cooke is, well, the same as he has always been.

"I think the biggest thing for me is to not adjust too much," he said. "I want to bring a physical presence.

"I think the biggest thing I can do for them is let them know that they can dump the puck and we will get it back, that I'll get the puck back for them. You try and instill that in them. If we're outnumbered, instead of [Malkin] feeling like he's got to beat two guys, put it behind them and I'll go get it and we can play in the offensive zone."

Well, that and crash the net when it's appropriate -- as it was Saturday in the first period of a 4-3 victory against the New York Rangers.

He poked in a rebound of his backhand shot for the Penguins' second goal.

It was Cooke's 10th goal and 28th point this season. It's the sixth season he has eclipsed 20 points and he has a shot at his fourth season with 30 or more.

Ruutu never has had more points in an NHL season than the 19 he has now.

"He drives the net. He drives the corners. He's creating so much space out there," Sykora said of Cooke, who through yesterday was fourth in the NHL in hits with 250.

"I'm doing the same thing -- I'm trying to get the puck to [Malkin] all the time -- but in a different way.

"When I get the puck, I try to pass him the puck so he can use his speed through the neutral zone. [Cooke] tries to give him the puck, but with a different kind of play -- going in, battle for the puck, get the puck in the corners and give it to him.

"He's so good doing that that he's giving him as many pucks as I do. I think it's important to have that kind of grit on the line."

Cooke practiced with those linemates again and is likely to play there tomorrow against New Jersey as the Penguins end a franchise-record eight-game homestand. They are 5-1-1 so far.

One thing Malkin's line no longer has is three players who speak Russian.

Ukrainian winger Ruslan Fedotenko traded places with Cooke, going to center Jordan Staal's line.

Cooke said Sykora, a Czech who is fluent in Russian, sometimes translates on the bench, although Malkin does try to communicate.

"[Malkin] grunts three or four words to me every now and then and we get a chuckle," Cooke said.

"I speak English," Malkin insisted. "It's not big deal. Matt Cooke is good player, play hard and help our line."

Staal has had good chemistry with Cooke and right winger Tyler Kennedy at times this season and likes Cooke's sense of humor.

"He's always fun to joke around with," Staal said.

"He's a guy you can always poke fun at and he'll take it like a champ."

Staal also figures Malkin and Sykora inherited a linemate who surprises people with his game.

"I remember watching him in Vancouver growing up," he said. "I knew he was an agitator and a good player. I didn't know, to be honest, that he's as talented as he is."

He found out about that talent over the course of the season, just as Cooke hopes Penguins fans found out he is not interchangeable with Ruutu.

"I completely respect [Ruutu's game]," Cooke said.

"I played with Jarkko in Vancouver for three or four years, and there was room for both of us. We even played together at times.

"By all means, he's an effective player with what he does. I'm not him."

Linesman Mark Wheler, right, pulls Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu (73) of Finland, away from Atlanta Thrashers left wing Ilya Kovalchuk, not pictured, of Russia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena, Saturday, March 28, 2009, in Atlanta. Ruutu was charged with unsportsmanlike conduct, and the Thrashers went on to win 6-3. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

Tocchet no fan of Sens' Ruutu
By Ian Mendes
Sportsnet.ca
March 30, 2009

Jarkko Ruutu hasn't made many friends around the National Hockey League with his style of play. You can now add Rick Tocchet's name to the list of his detractors.

The Tampa Bay Lightning head coach was upset with the Senators forward in the third period of Sunday's game, when he felt that Ryan Craig was submarined on a hit by Ruutu.

Tocchet, who played 18 seasons in the NHL with a reputation of being one of the toughest forwards around, suggested that he would have taken on Ruutu himself - if he wasn't the one behind the bench.

"Craig's had two knee operations, so I don't think that was professional," Tocchet said to reporters after the game. "I have a suit on so I can't do anything about it. I wish I didn't have a suit on."

On Monday afternoon, the Senators agitator fired back at Tocchet, saying that the head coach of a last-place club should be concerned with other things.

"If I can get the coach rattled, it's a huge compliment to me," said Ruutu. "Maybe he should pay attention to his club. There's a lot more to worry about in his organization than me."

Craig actually ended up drawing a penalty on the play, when he cross-checked Ruutu in retaliation for the questionable hit. That put the Lightning at a two-man disadvantage and Jason Spezza scored a goal on the subsequent 5-on-3 power play to seal a 3-0 Ottawa victory.

Senators smelling success, but it might be too little, too late
The Calgary Sun
March 25, 2009

"Confidence is everything, really," said Senators winger Jarkko Ruutu. "You can't get cocky, but when you're confident, you work hard, you do things the right way on the ice and you trust your teammates. Confidence can take you anywhere. We just have to worry about one game.”

"We can't start worrying about what might happen 10 games from now. We're pretty entertaining, right now. We're taking more chances, we're creating more offensively and we're not giving as much at the other end of the ice. It's a lot easier when you're winning games and scoring first."

Jarkko just being....Jarkko :)

Sens shine on Broadway
Ottawa Citizen
March 23, 2009

Among the chants were a “Ruu-tu sucks, Ruu-tu sucks” chorus, aimed at Senators agitator Jarkko Ruutu.

It was a Ruutu type of game, with lots of pushing and shoving in front of the nets and along the boards.

Senators slow Rangers' roll with 2-1 win at Madison Square Garden
New York Daily News
March 23, 2009

The only player to throw a charge into the Garden crowd was Senators pest Jarkko Ruutu, who kicked up a few minor skirmishes and then waved his hands and hockey stick in the air as if conducting the fans in their off-color chants about him.

March 21, 2009
Senators – 5, Islanders - 2

Second period:

0:28 - Goal scored by Chris Neil (3)
Assisted by Jarkko Ruutu (13)

Ruutu gets a ribbing
By Don Brennan
CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Hockey NHL – Ottawa
March 20, 2009

In the words of Bob Barker, "(starting Carey) Price (was) wrong, b----."

"Why did you have to score a goal like that?" Senators GM Bryan Murray asked, teasing Jarkko Ruutu as the winger was surrounded by reporters following a wildly entertaining, 5-4 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. "That made them take that goalie from the net and then we had to face the other guy!"

It did make things tougher on the home team, for sure.

In fact, Ottawa's winning streak (six straight at home, 7-of-8 overall) may have very well been interrupted had Bob Gainey used Jaroslav Halak (24 saves, one goal against) from the opening faceoff instead of having him relieve Price (11 saves, four goals against) in a huge game for the Habs.

Instead, the Senators' extremely slim playoff hopes gained another pound. They now just have to win 12 more in a row to have a chance.

"It was just a goal," Ruutu shrugged of the great individual effort that saw him beat a defender by dragging the puck between his own legs, then roof a backhand through a very small window past Price. "That was the only opening I had, so I had to put it off the post and in."

Nothing to it, right?

Only an extremely confident and carefree collection would even be trying moves like that made by Jason Spezza (on his first goal) and Ruutu. Other such entertaining manoeuvres just failed to click.

Jarkko Ruutu quote:
NHL.com

"Every time you put your gear on, it doesn't matter what the situation is, you want to win the game ... We don't really look at the standings, we just take it a game at a time and you never know, magic might happen, but it's not really something you worry about too much".

Sens find form too late
London Free Press - Hockey
March 20, 2009

Regarding Jarkko's goal:

Gainey defied the odds and went with Carey Price in net over Jaroslav Halak. Gainey hooked Price after Jarkko Ruutu made it 4-2 for the Senators early in the second period on Ottawa's 15th shot.

"I felt like it was an opportune time to try and get the momentum of the game changed and re-enter the game," Gainey said.

Ruutu's goal revealed the issues that have been dogging Price for most of this season. Ruutu danced in with a fancy move, dragging the puck up between his legs, before snapping a backhander from a sharp angle over Price's left shoulder and into the roof of the net at 2:28. Price was deep in the net and simply not ready for the shot, shrugging his left shoulder in an unsuccessful attempt at the save.

March 19, 2009
Senators – 5, Canadiens – 4

Second Period:

2:28 - Goal scored by Jarkko Ruutu (6) assisted by Chris Neil and Brendan Bell

Congratulations Jarkko!

Jarkko’s 100th career point against Pittsburgh Penguins - March 14, 2009:

1st period at 8:36

Goal: Chris Campoli
Assists: Jarkko Ruutu, Jesse Winchester

Pens lose, 4-3, in shootout
By Shelly Anderson, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Saturday, March 14, 2009

The Penguins blew a two-goal, third-period lead and lost, 4-3, in a shootout to Ottawa today at Mellon Arena. Mike Comrie, the 10th shooter in the shootout, scored to win it for the Senators.

The Penguins have lost two games in a row after a seven-game winning streak. The game opened an eight-game homestand.

It was the Penguins' fourth game in a row decided in a shootout, a team record.

With the point, they move into a tie with Montreal for fifth place, pending the outcome of the Canadiens' game tonight against New Jersey.

Winger Eric Godard, known more for fisticuffs than goals, gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 6:05 of the first period. He carried the puck down the left side and, from deep, threw the puck to the crease, where it glanced off Senators center Jesse Winchester and past goaltender Brian Elliott.

Ottawa tied it at 8:36 of the first period when defenseman Chris Campoli's shot from the right point hit one or two Penguins on the way in and eluded Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury.

Former Penguins winger Jarkko Ruutu got an assist on the goal, his 100th NHL point.

The Penguins got roaring applause when they killed 54 seconds of an Ottawa two-man advantage sandwiched between two five-on-four power plays later in the first period.

Center Sidney Crosby restored the Penguins' lead when he took a nice cross-crease pass from defensive defenseman Mark Eaton and banged the puck past Elliiott's glove at 5:56 of the second period.

Winger Matt Cooke's block of a shot by Campoli set up a two-on-one with winger Tyler Kennedy against Senators defenseman Brendan Bell, with Campoli -- his stick broken and left behind -- trying to catch up. Cooke fed Kennedy, who gave the Penguins a 3-1 edge at 18:26 of the second period.

Winger Nick Foligno started Ottawa's comeback when he scored past a screened Fleury at 12:00 of the third period to bring it to 3-2, and defenseman Chris Phillips converted a feed from the boards from center Jason Spezza to tie it, 3-3, at 13:54.

The Penguins play Boston tomorrow afternoon at home.

Regarding Ruutu and Artyukhin
Tampabay.com
March 12, 2009

Tocchet said he still doesn't know why Evgeny Artyukhin got 14 minutes in penalties for his beatdown of Jarkko Ruutu on Wednesday. in fact, Tocchet said the situation is just what he was talking about when he criticized the GM's proposal to more stringently enforce the instigator rule. Artyukhin said he went after Ruutu because Ruutu ripped off his helmet, which made Artyukhin think Ruutu wanted to fight. So Artyukhin went after him and got four minutes for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct, I assume because Artyukhin hit Ruutu twice while down. Even so, Tocchet said, it was a situation where the instigator (Ruutu) was protected by the refs. "That's what I told the refs. If a guy does that to me, I'd punch him, too. Two and two, then get them off the ice. If you're the guy that started it, you deserve to get a couple extra cracks. If Ruutu doesn't go in there and Arty punches him, absolutely (Ruutu) should have the advantage. But nothing would have happened if Ruutu didn't go in there."

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu, left, of Finland, gets tangled up with Boston Bruins' P.J. Axelsson, of Sweden, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Boston on Thursday, March 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)

Second Period:

4:41: Jarkko Ruutu obviously got under P.J. Axelsson's skin, as the mild-mannered Swede first gets a roughing call after a tangle along the wall, and then stomps on Ruutu's stick on his way to the box.

Summer jobs for the Senators - Silver Seven
March 10, 2009

6. Jarkko Ruutu: Ruutu's got a talent for pissing people off, and he seems to have a good time doing it. So I think he should get a job with the Opinion Search telephone survey company, and intentionally request the Sunday-at-dinnertime shift.

Not fightin' words
Mair's on-air jab fails to rile Senators
James Gordon, The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Sunday, March 08, 2009

And let's not forget Jarkko Ruutu's contribution earlier this season. He served a two-game suspension in January for biting the thumb of Sabres tough guy Andrew Peters in a scuffle.

Asked if he was going to "take a bite out of the Sabres" on Saturday night, Ruutu joked: "Depends if they're hot or mild."

The wings are good in Buffalo, someone remarked.

"That's what I hear -- how are the fingers?" Ruutu queried in return.

Ottawa Senators Jarkko Ruutu (L) celebrates his goal against Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Curtis Joseph (C) during the second period of NHL hockey action in Ottawa February 28, 2009. Also pictures is Maple Leafs' Tomas Kaberle (R). Reuters

Kubina lifts Maple Leafs past Sens
February 28, 2009

OTTAWA (AP) — Pavel Kubina scored his second of the game 33 seconds into overtime to give the Toronto Leafs a 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday night.

Kubina tied it with just over 5 minutes remaining with a power-play goal.

Jamal Mayers and Tim Stapleton, playing in just his second NHL game, also scored for the Maple Leafs. Curtis Joseph, making his first start since Jan. 1, stopped 29 shots for his second win of the season.

Ryan Shannon, Jarkko Ruutu and Daniel Alfredsson scored for the Senators.

Toronto's blue line got a boost with Tomas Kaberle returning to the lineup for the first time after missing 13 games because of a broken hand, and Mike Van Ryn returning from a leg injury after missing the last eight.

Toronto leads Ottawa in the season series 2-1.

Notes: The Senators were without RW Chris Neil (lacerated calf), D Christoph Schubert (groin) and C Cody Bass (shoulder surgery). D Brendan Bell was a healthy scratch. ... Ottawa assigned G Martin Gerber to Binghamton of the AHL. . . . Joseph and Senators goalie Brian Elliott are both from Newmarket, Ontario, and played for Wisconsin.

Getting to know Jarkko Ruutu
By Rob Brodie
The Daily Observer - Ontario, CA

Almost from the moment he slipped on a Senators jersey, Jarkko Ruutu has become an Ottawa favourite.

His current teammates, who had to deal with Ruutu's agitating style of play during their Stanley Cup playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins last spring, are no doubt much happier that he's on their side now.

Sens fans haven't taken long, either, to warm up to a player who has carved out a reputat reputation on as one of the National Hockey League's true superpests.

The 33-year-old native of Helsinki, who began his NHL career with the Vancouver Canucks, takes a few minutes to talk about his style of play, his homeland and a few of his favourite things:

Q: If you had to choose be between in a shootout or goading an opponent into a penalty, which would you choose?

A: A The hits are always fun. I like taking the penalty shots, too. You're going one-on-one with some of the top players in the game. Those are probably the two things I would pick.

Q: What's your favourite NHL city to visit?

A: There are a couple of good ones but I like Vancouver.

Q: Other than Finland, what's your favourite place in Europe to be?

A: I like Spain, all the warm countries, especially in the summer time. It probably has something to do with being on vacation and having time off.

Q: What's your favourite thing to do when you go home to Finland?

A: I go to the sauna every day. I enjoy spending time there.

Q: What's your favourite Finnish food?

A: The food is pretty similar to here but with some variations. I like Finnish pancakes.

Q: What city is colder at this time of year, Ottawa or Helsinki?

A: Ottawa. It's not even close. Helsinki has become so warm compared to when I was younger. Last year, March was the first snow that stayed for a bit.

Q: Tell me about the arena you first remember playing in back home?

A: The first practice I ever had was outdoors. But my first home rink, I played there for eight years. It's a pretty good rink. We had to leave our stuff at the rink to dry in the room. I played there up until I was about 12. It's just outside of Helsinki.

Q: What's the worst pronunciation of your name you've ever heard?

A: People do have a hard time saying it sometimes. They hear Jarkko and expect it to start with a 'Y.' A lot of people see it and say 'how do you pronounce that? It looks like a monster.'

Q: If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would you pick?

A: The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. I would want to have dinner with him and probably Wayne Gretzky, too. And on of the comedians. Maybe Chris rock.

Q: If somebody made a movie about your life, what actor plays you?

A: Probably one of the best but I don't know who looks like me me. I don't know that there would need to be much acting involved.

Q: What's your favourite TV show?

A: I used to watch The Crocodile Hunter a lot. Now I like Family Guy.

Q: What's your favourite type of book to read?

A: Biographies. They're pretty interesting because the stories are true. I like the real stuff.

Ottawa at Montreal
February 21, 2009

Ottawa 0 2 1-3
Montreal 2 3 0-5

First Period-1, Montreal, Plekanec 15 (Kovalev, Markov), 2:23 (pp). 2, Montreal, Kovalev 14, 5:38. Second Period-3, Montreal, Schneider 6 (Koivu, Higgins), 3:25 (pp). 4, Montreal, Brisebois 5 (Hamrlik, Kovalev), 6:47 (pp). 5, Ottawa, Ruutu 4 (Winchester, Campoli), 7:40. 6, Ottawa, Heatley 28 (Spezza, Campoli), 9:49. 7, Montreal, Dandenault 2 (Hamrlik, Chipchura), 19:41.

Third Period-8, Ottawa, Heatley 29 (Spezza, Alfredsson), 17:06 (pp).
Shots on Goal-Ottawa 9-16-22-47. Montreal 13-15-4-32.
Goalies-Ottawa, Elliott, Auld. Montreal, Halak. A-21,273 (21,273). T-2:31.

Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu, back right, pulls the head of Minnesota Wild, Cal Clutterbuck, front right, as the Senators' Mike Fisher (12) battles for the puck in front of Ottawa's bench during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, in St. Paul, Minn. The Senators' Dean McAmmond, back left, covers up on the play. Rutuu received a bench penalty on the play. Ottawa won 5-3. (AP Photo/Tom Olmscheid)

Senators Fine Sunday for Ruutu
Sens pest lucky to avoid suspension after grabbing Wild player from bench
By Bruce Garrioch - ottawasun.com
February 16, 2009

NASHVILLE -- This time, Jarkko Ruutu only got his knuckles wrapped by NHL disciplinarian Colin Campbell.

The Senators winger is aware it could have been worse.

Ruutu, who has already been suspended twice this season, dodged a bullet after receiving only a fine yesterday for grabbing Minnesota winger Cal Clutterbuck as Ruutu sat on the Ottawa bench in the third period of the Senators' 5-3 victory Saturday at the Xcel Energy Center.

Though Ruutu was given a roughing penalty by the officials at 8:47 of the third, Campbell and Senators GM Bryan Murray were expected to have a conversation with the Ottawa pest following practice yesterday to remind him to watch himself.

"It's just a stupid play by me. It's just a reaction and I guess I held him for an extra second. There's no excuse for that, especially at that time of the game," said Ruutu, who could have been fined up to $2,500 US by Campbell.

"We were up 4-3 and they get a chance to score. I know those hurt. I'm frustrated with myself. I took that penalty. All I can do is just learn from it and I've just got to make sure that it doesn't happen again. Because it just can't happen."

Ruutu has been suspended for a total four games as a result of two separate incidents this season. The first came in November when he received two games for elbowing Montreal's Maxim Lapierre to the head. He got his second was last month after biting the thumb of Buffalo's Andrew Peters.

"I know I have to be careful and a lot more careful than I was before," said Ruutu, who had never been suspended in his career before this season. "I dug myself a hole (by getting suspended twice). That's the way it is for me. I can't sit here and blame anyone else for what happened."

Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu (73) shouts encouragement to his teammates from the bench while they are losing to the Minnesota Wild during the first period of their NHL hockey game in the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, February 14, 2009. Ottawa won the game.

Jarkko Ruutu quotes (Ottawa Senators)

"My role doesn't matter on who I'm playing with. It's the same."

"I knew (Mair) was looking for me," said Ruutu. "I made sure on the next chance to try and get him going and he fell for it."

Ottawa Senators' Shean Donovan (10) celebrates his goal with Senators' Jarkko Ruutu (73) as Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, right, and Sabres' Teppo Numminen (27) react during the second period of the NHL hockey game at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y., Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2009.

Ottawa-Buffalo: Senators Get Second Straight Win Against Sabres
By Roy Stevenson
Bleacher Report
February 11, 2009

With Buffalo winger Thomas Vanek missing his first game of what is expected to be a three-to-four week absence, this was a chance for those Sabre players who have been missing in action to show up and start making a difference.

You know who they are: Jason Pominvile (no goals in 16 games), Ales Kotalik (who's scored only five even-strength goals all year), and Jochen Hecht (who only has scored six goals all year).

Since losing in a shoot-out to Ottawa Saturday night, they had three days to rest up, figure out their new lines, and practice.

They even brought in some scoring reinforcements, calling up top prospect Nathan Gerbe, who is tied for the AHL lead in scoring (20 goals, 17 assists).

Buffalo had won five straight games at the HSBC Arena, improving on their poor home play in the first half of the season.

Unfortunately, when the game started, it was as if someone had turned the clock back to mid-December, when the Sabres were mired in a listless, losing funk.

Four minutes in, Adam Mair, who's been committing at least one dumb penalty per game of late, was called for hooking. The Sabres penalty kill did a nice job, but Daniel Alfredsson's cross-ice pass deflected into the net off of Jason Spezza's skate. Spezza loves playing in Buffalo, having scored nine goals and 17 assists in 17 games at HSBC.

For the rest of the period, play went back and forth, with Buffalo out-shooting Ottawa 9-5, but leaving the ice trailing 1-0.

With the start of the second period, the Senators stepped up the intensity of their fore-checking and the Buffalo defense could not handle it. Time and time again, their outlet passes were shut down, leading to Ottawa scoring chances.

After another Buffalo turnover, Ottawa scored, but the goal was waved off as Ottawa's Jaarko Ruutu had taken a leaping swan dive on top of Ryan Miller and was whistled for goaltender interference.

On his last visit, Ruutu had taken a bite out of Andrew Peter's finger, so having the pest's play result in a disallowed goal should have inspired the Sabres.

Instead, their ensuing power play was weak, and when Ottawa was back to full strength, their forecheck caused Buffalo rookie Mike Weber to cough up the puck.

Once again Ruutu was in front of Miller, impeding the Buffalo goalie's vision. Shean Donovan fired the puck in the far side of the net for a 2-0 lead.

Miller complained to the referee that Ruutu had prevented him from moving freely, but Ruutu had been standing just outside the blue painted crease and the ref wasn't going to disallow a second goal.

Two minutes later, Miller may have still been stewing when Alfredsson let a harmless looking shot go from the blue line. Miller appeared to absorb the shot, but it trickled through his legs and into the net.

It was another of those head-shakingly bad goals that keeps Miller from being considered a truly elite goalie. He makes some unbelievable saves, but every now and then he lets in some unbelievably bad goals.

At this point, Ottawa tried to give the game back to the Sabres, taking seven penalties. But without Vanek in his customary place in front of the net, the Buffalo power play looked lost.

When they were able to get a shot through, Ottawa's goalie Brian Elliot either gobbled up the rebound, or the puck bounced onto an Ottawa stick and was cleared. The second period ended with Buffalo down 3-0.

Buffalo had come back from 2-0 down to Ottawa three nights before in the third period, so when Kotalik scored on a five-on-three power play just 1:23 in, Buffalo had hope.

With Ottawa playing more conservatively, Buffalo carried play in the third period.Although they out-shot the Senators 11-7, and Ottawa gave them three more power plays, the Sabres really didn't have any great scoring chances.

As the clock wound down, there were no last minute miracles, and the Sabres fell.

This defeat is their second in a row. With a chance to leap-frog Philadelphia and the Rangers into solid playoff position, the Sabres have now gone in reverse.

The causes are obvious.

You can't go 1-13 on the power play. Not only did they only score once (and that on a five-on-three), they didn't even look very good. There was no movement and no imagination.

Pominville was a virtual turnover machine, mishandling the puck at the point on the power play on at least three occasions. Hecht was invisible, neither playing physical or with skill. Mike Weber took four penalties. Gerbe seems unable as of yet to translate his scoring skills into the NHL.

Add it all up and the results are an ugly loss.

The Sabres need to put the pieces together ,or they will either be out of, or playing catch-up, in the playoff race by the time Vanek comes back.

Complicating things are more injuries.

Teppo Numminen left the game and did not return with an upper-body injury. Pat Kaleta, who has been one of the Sabres' most physical and effective players, did not return after being run into the boards by Ottawa's Jason Smith.

Ottawa hit every Sabre in sight, with Nick Foligno even taking a penalty late in the game for running Miller.

In winning this game, Ottawa continues to provide a blueprint on how to beat Buffalo: forecheck hard, pressure the Buffalo D, and hit. Even if those tactics lead to penalties, it will work so long as the Buffalo power play remains impotent.

Buffalo needs to figure it out fast. Next up is Western Conference-leading San Jose.

Then they face three of their closest playoff competitors in Carolina, Philadelphia, and New York, with a 'breather' against Toronto thrown in. At this point, winning three of those five would be great.

The Ottawa Senators celebrate their victory against the Buffalo Sabres at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, February 07, 2009. Photograph by: Jean Levac, The Ottawa Citizen, The Ottawa Citizen

Shootout success at last
By Ken Warren
Ottawa Citizen
February 8, 2009

OTTAWA - Suddenly, the Ottawa Senators have a new outlook on the shootout.

And, maybe, just maybe, new life for the final 31 games of the season.

Thanks to a different approach during the shootout — repeatedly taking the puck wide — against Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller, the Senators registered a 3-2 shootout victory Saturday night, giving new coach Cory Clouston his first career NHL win in his third attempt.

“It feels good,” said Clouston, who had experienced a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings and a 4-3 shootout defeat to the Boston Bruins in his previous two games since replacing the fired Craig Hartsburg on Monday. “I’m actually more happy for the guys. They’ve worked real hard this week. The improvements we’ve made, they’ve come a long way. They deserve all the credit.”

The Senators ( 18-25-8) desperately needed shootout success. The 3-2 victory came on the heels of Thursday’s shootout shutout by Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas, who stopped all five Senators’ attempts. For the Senators had been a terrible shootout squad, winning only one of their first six shootout games.

They also needed to win the shootout to salvage a game which they had let get away in the third. The Senators led 2-0 after two periods on goals by Nick Foligno and Antoine Vermette, before allowing the Sabres to tie the game with third-period goals by Adam Mair and Drew Stafford.

After a wide-open, entertaining overtime period, the Senators then scored on three of four chances — Jarkko Ruutu, Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher — against Miller, while Senators goaltender Brian Elliott allowed only two goals.

Clouston labelled the new breakaway style as a “group effort,” with coaches and players agreeing that they had to offer up new looks to the opposing goaltender.

“It is a different (mindset),” said Alfredsson. “Ruutu scores and that takes some pressure off me, and then I score and it takes some pressure off Fisher. I think giving a little bit of different looks for the goalie. It’s not going to work all the time, but we’ve got to be more creative in what we do and Ruutu has been pretty successful throughout his career with his shootout attempts, because he has a lot of moves and makes the goalie hesitate a little bit.”

The victory allows the Senators to breathe a little easier following what has been a whirlwind week with a coaching change and three games. If nothing else, the Senators do look like a more confident team as they prepare to leave on the road Tuesday for five games in seven days, beginning with a Wednesday rematch against the Sabres.

“I think we’re playing really well,” said Alfredsson. “We played Boston well, one of the best teams in the league and we beat Buffalo, one of the hottest teams. We’re playing really well, we deserved to win, no question. That’s the biggest thing. You can tell the atmosphere in the dressing room is much more upbeat, we’re doing some good things out there, which makes all the hard work worth it.”

Of course, the Senators could have made life much easier for themselves. They took control of the game in the second period, peppering Miller with shots from the beginning of the period on, and receiving goals from Foligno and Vermette. They outshot the Sabres 18-7 in the period.

They were first rewarded on the power play when Foligno deflected a Brendan Bell shot which had already changed direction after going off the stick of a Sabres defender.

Foligno, once again playing on the top power-play unit, was exactly where a power forward is supposed to be — stationed in front of the goaltender — giving Miller little chance to make the save. Foligno, who also part of a spirited even-strength line, alongside Mike Fisher and Ryan Shannon, now has markers in consecutive games.

The Senators continued their attack following the goal, taking advantage of turnovers to take the play to the Sabres, and padded the lead to 2-0 when Vermette beat Miller high to the trapper side, using Chris Kelly as a decoy on a 2-on-1 break.

The bad news of the period was the loss of winger Chris Neil to an apparent right leg injury. Neil limped into the dressing room following the second and didn’t return. The Senators are officially calling it a lower-body injury. The Sabres also lost leading scorer Tomas Vanek in the first period, after he took an Anton Volchenkov slapshot off the face.

The Sabres, however, didn’t go away, battling their way back on goals by Mair and Stafford, setting up the entertaining overtime and shootout.

Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Old friend joins the the bite club
By Dave Molinari
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
January 11, 2009

Could he or couldn't he? Jarkko Ruutu's ex-mates try to get a finger on the incident.....

Jarkko Ruutu's old teammates have known for a long time that he's an agitator.

A pest. A disturber. A frequent pain in one of the body's more remote locales.

But it wasn't until a few days ago that most realized Ruutu might have a bit of cannibal in him, too.

Now, Ruutu, whom the league suspended for two games for allegedly biting Buffalo enforcer Andrew Peters during an on-ice run-in Tuesday, insisted in a statement released by the Ottawa Senators that he was acting strictly in self-defense when he took a bite out of Peters' thumb.

"I feel that he put his glove in my mouth with intentions to injure me," Ruutu said. "There was no intent to hurt him, just to get his thumb out of my mouth."

If so, it worked.

"Sometimes, when you're in the heat of the battle, I guess you do weird things," said left winger Matt Cooke, who played with Ruutu in Vancouver. "We can chalk this one up near the top [of the list]."

Defenseman Brooks Orpik, for what it's worth, isn't entirely convinced that Ruutu did anything, let alone anything wrong, although Ruutu's confession doesn't do much to bolster the case for an acquittal.

"I've watched the whole video a bunch of times, and I thought he just wanted to go to the bench, and Peters wouldn't let him," Orpik said. "I'm not defending what he supposedly did ... but it wasn't like he reached out [for Peters'] hand. I'm not justifying what he supposedly did, but I'm sure there are two sides to that story."

And there are more stories like Ruutu's than some might suspect.

Fact is, several Penguins quietly acknowledged -- albeit only on a fiercely not-for-attribution basis -- they had chomped down on an opponent during the course of a game, too, generally because they believed themselves to be in immediate danger of serious injury and/or pain.

In one case, a player said a much larger opponent had stuck a finger into his mouth and was "fish-hooking" him by using it to stretch the aggrieved player's cheek. In another, the player said an opponent had a chokehold on him, with his neck caught in the crook of that player's arm, and sinking his teeth into the guy was the only way to assure that he'd be able to continue breathing.

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury wasn't one of those who admitted biting an opponent and said he doesn't expect to be on the receiving end anytime soon, either.

"I have pretty good gear," he said, "so I'm usually well-protected against that."

Reacting to the pests in the NHL
By Rob Rossi
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
January 11, 2009

Current Penguins that spent much of their past two years with Ottawa Senators left wing Jarkko Ruutu doubt very much he has spent half-a-second wondering if he crossed a proverbial line for allegedly biting the gloved right thumb of Buffalo Sabres forward Andrew Peters during a game Tuesday.

Ruutu, whose job description is to alienate opposing players, was suspended two games by the NHL but has denied bringing "the Chomp" to hockey.

Penguins left wing Matt Cooke, who has filled the team agitator role Ruutu vacated, said the key to hockey's, uh, pests is not take their acts personally.

"I don't let my emotions get the best of me," Cooke said. "It's never personal. It's my job. I play hard."

Cooke, who amassed 57 penalty minutes in 37 games before Thursday, said incidents such as Ruutu's biting or ex-Islanders forward Chris Simon's two-handed chop to the face of Rangers forward Ryan Hollweg in 2007 are often "just reactions."

Not defensible, Cooke insisted, but "everything happens so fast, decisions are made and a lot of times there's not a lot of thought put into it. I may be in the same situation sometime, so it doesn't benefit me to judge."

It is a mistake to judge any player by one seemingly crazy act, or even a series of acts, Predators right wing Jordin Tootoo said.

"There are situations that happen (on the ice) because of emotions," he said. "You can't speak on behalf of other people or their actions, but I try to stay calm."

The pressure to win puts players whose job description it is to distract opponents in a tough spot, he added.

"When two points are on the line, it's 'whatever it takes,' " said Tootoo, who had 72 penalty minutes in 39 games through Thursday. "Stuff happens out there and not everyone can control their emotions. But they should."

Easier said than done. But there are some tricks to staying calm in an energized situation.

"I focus on the game, think about my next shift," Tootoo said. "I've learned you can't let other teams get in your head, because they want you to retaliate. So I stay positive. If you turn a negative into a positive, it drives the other guys crazy."

Of course, Penguins right wing Eric Godard said there are limits to how much even the most professional of hockey players can take.

"I don't want some guy's fingers in my mouth," Godard said, referring to Buffalo's Peters before Ruutu bit down on his right thumb. "It's definitely nasty out there, and guys say things. Some of them do extreme things like that.

"But there's just certain things you don't do or shouldn't do. Sometimes you just black out. It reaches a boiling point, like, 'OK, what just happened?' The difference, I guess, is that some guys completely lose it, and some don't."

The ones that don't, Godard's teammate Cooke added, "are the best."

"When you're in the role of instigating, you're put in a position to make a choice," Cooke said. "The guys that do it best keep their cool." Biting the opposition has consequences
Ruutu suspended two games
By Noah Love - National Post
January 7, 2009

The National Hockey League had a hearing on Wednesday to determine a) whether Ottawa Senators pest Jarko Ruutu bit Buffalo Sabres forward Andrew Peters and b) what punishment said offence would incur.

The answers, according to the league, are a) yes and b) a two-game suspension.

From the NHL:

Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended for two games, without pay, for an incident in NHL game #586 against the Buffalo Sabres, the National Hockey League announced today.

Ruutu, who was suspended for two games in November, now is considered a repeat offender under the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Accordingly, he forfeits $31,707.32 in salary based on the number of games in the season (82), rather than the number of days (186). The money goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.

Ruutu was involved in an altercation with Sabres’ Andrew Peters at 13:13 of the first period. No penalty was assessed on the play.

Ruutu will miss Thursday’s game at Boston and Jan. 10 against the Rangers. He will be eligible to return Jan. 13 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

NHL suspends Ruutu for two games after bite
January 7, 2009

BUFFALO, New York (AP) - The NHL suspended Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu two games without pay for biting Buffalo Sabres forward Andrew Peters through his gloved thumb during a game.

The force of Ruutu's bite ripped Peters' glove off and broke the skin on the player's right thumb. It happened in the first period of Buffalo's 4-2 win Tuesday night when Peters forcefully rubbed the palm of his glove into Ruutu's face at the Senators bench.

Ruutu denied that he bit Peters despite replays showing he chomped down on the player's glove.

Peters, who doubled over in pain and clutched his thumb, was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for sparking the altercation. Ruutu was not penalized.

With his thumb bandaged after the game, Peters referred to what happened as bizarre and added he had never been bitten.

"It's evident on video what he did and I have all the confidence in the league to make the right decision," Peters said.

Before the suspension was announced, Senators coach Craig Hartsburg said he didn't expect Ruutu to be disciplined.

"(Peters) rubbed his hand in Ruutu's face about three times, so I don't know what the big deal is," Hartsburg said.

The Senators traveled to Boston after the game in Buffalo. The Sabres were scheduled to practice later Wednesday.

Current Bruins star Marc Savard was suspended for one game in 2003 when, playing for Atlanta, he bit Darcy Tucker on the glove in a game against Toronto.

Ruutu has already been disciplined once by the NHL this season, suspended for two games without pay in November for elbowing Montreal's Maxim Lapierre.

NHL.com - News: Ruutu summoned for NHL hearing
January 7, 2009

Ottawa's Jarkko Ruutu has been asked by the League to explain his actions in Tuesday night's loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Buffalo's Andrew Peters alleged that Ruutu bit his gloved thumb, breaking the skin's surface, during a first period altercation.

"It's a pretty goofy thing that happened," said Peters, who had a bandage wrapped around his right thumb after the game. "It's not the injury, it's the incident."

Ruutu was summoned for a hearing -- over the phone -- with NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell to give his side of the story. The hearing was held at 11:30 a.m. ET

After the game, a 4-2 loss for Ottawa to its bitter Northeast Division rival, Ruutu denied any wrongdoing, and he was not penalized on the play.

"Nothing happened there," Ruutu said. "His fingers were by my mouth, but I didn't bite him."

According to replays of the incident, the skirmish started with Peters rubbing his glove in Ruutu's face as the play moved up ice. Then, Ruutu used his mouth to remove Peters' glove from his hand. Peters immediately retreated to the Buffalo bench, holding his thumb, as trainers tended to his thumb.

Peters was assessed a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play by the refereeing tandem of Mike Hasenfratz and Frederick L'Ecuyer.

Ruutu's bite attracts NHL attention
By John Wawrow
The Associated Press
January 7, 2009

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The NHL is reviewing whether to discipline Ottawa Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu for biting Buffalo Sabres forward Andrew Peters through his gloved thumb during a game.

NHL spokesman Frank Brown says in an e-mail Wednesday that the league reviews everything and added if a suspension is warranted it would be announced before the Senators game at Boston on Thursday.

The force of Ruutu's bite ripped Peters' glove off and broke the skin on the player's right thumb. It happened in the first period of Buffalo's 4-2 win Tuesday night when Peters forcefully rubbed the palm of his glove into Ruutu's face at the Senators bench.

Ruutu denied that he bit Peters despite replays showing he chomped down on the player's glove.

Peters, who doubled over in pain and clutched his thumb, was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct for sparking the altercation. Ruutu was not penalized.

With his thumb bandaged after the game, Peters referred to what happened as bizarre and added he had never been bitten.

"It's evident on video what he did and I have all the confidence in the league to make the right decision," Peters said.

Senators coach Craig Hartsburg didn't expect Ruutu to be disciplined.

"(Peters) rubbed his hand in Ruutu's face about three times, so I don't know what the big deal is," Hartsburg said.

The Senators traveled to Boston after the game in Buffalo. The Sabres were scheduled to practice later Wednesday.

Current Bruins star Marc Savard was suspended for one game in 2003 when, playing for Atlanta, he bit Darcy Tucker on the glove in a game against Toronto.

Ruutu has already been disciplined once by the NHL this season, suspended for two games without pay in November for elbowing Montreal's Maxim Lapierre.

Senators' Jarkko Ruutu takes a bite out of Buffalo's Andrew Peters
By Matthew Simonides
Daily News Sports Writer
January 7, 2009

What do you do when a big and angry hockey player sticks his sweat-soaked gloves in your face? Well if you're the Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu you take the Mike Tyson approach and use those choppers to get your point across.

In a match-up between the Senators and Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night in Buffalo, video shows (see below) that Ruutu most likely bit the hand of Sabres' forward Andrew Peters, ripping Peters' glove off and piercing the skin of the enforcer's right thumb. Ruutu was retaliating after Peters forcefully rubbed the palm of his glove in the player's face.

You could say he was taking a bite out of NHL crime.

Shaking his hand and wincing in pain, Peters immediately went to the bench for medical attention, appearing stunned by what had just transpired. After the game he noted that it was a bizarre turn of events and that he had never been bitten, adding that he trusted the NHL to discipline Ruutu.

"It's evident on video what he did and I have all the confidence in the league to make the right decision," Peters said after the game with a bandaged hand.

The Ottawa forward denied that he bit Peters. "His fingers were in my mouth, but I didn't bite him," said Ruutu.

Peters was the only player penalized for the incident, getting an unsportsmanlike conduct for antagonizing Ruutu.

Senators' coach Craig Hartsburg also commented on any disciplinary action, siding with his player. "(Peters) rubbed his hand in Ruutu's face about three times, so I don't know what the big deal is," Hartsburg said.

In an email sent Wednesday, NHL spokesman Frank Brown said that the league reviews everything and would announce any necessary punishment before the Senators' next game on Thursday in Boston.

The last time a player was suspended for biting was in 2003 when current Bruins captain Marc Savard, then playing for Atlanta, bit Darcy Tucker in Toronto, getting slapped with a two-game ban without pay.