After suffering a "lower body injury" in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference final, Erik Cole's status for Game 2 has been up in the air during this painfully long two-day break. Cole was injured during Monday's game when he was on the receiving end of a Matt Cooke hit that included knee-on-knee contact. According to Adam Harris of WRAL, Cole participated in Thursday's morning skate, and it appears he will be available for the Hurricanes when they hit the ice for Game 2. The news doesn't sound quite as promising for his teammate, Tuomo Ruutu.
Ruutu was also injured in Game 1 when Penguins defenseman Mark Eaton collided with him in front of the net, resulting in another "lower body injury." Neither Cooke nor Eaton was penalized, while there was some debate as to whether or not Cooke would receive punishment from the NHL in the form of a suspension or fine -- he did not, and based on precedent, he shouldn't have.
According to Harris, Ruutu did not participate in Thursday's practice, while Hurricanes general manager Jim Rutherford told NHL.com's Mike G. Morreale on Wednesday that Ruutu would definitely be out for Game 2. In his absence, the team will likely turn to Michael Ryan or Dwight Helminen.
Both players have struggled offensively, as Cole and Ruutu have combined for just one goal and six assists in 15 playoff games for the Hurricanes, while Cole has not scored a postseason goal since May 13, 2002. In his past 28 playoff games Cole has registered just three assists.
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