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Penguins Prospects Shine as McGroarty and Koivunen Hit First NHL Milestones
Pittsburgh Penguins prospects shined last night as Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen hit their first NHL milestones in a game against the St. Louis Blues.
The Pittsburgh Penguins lost 5-4 to the St. Louis Blues last night. According to Moneypuck.com, the Penguins' odds of reaching the Stanley Cup Finals are now at 0%.
However, the team still gave fans a reason to celebrate last night.
Indeed, Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen both registered their first NHL point in a crucial goal to tie the game in the final minute of the third period.
Check out how it went down in the video below:
After the game, both players opened up to the media, joking about how they'd need to cut the puck in half as they both tallied their first NHL point on the same goal:
"It was pretty cool, especially at that point in the game, versus a team like that, and how hot they are. It was pretty cool for Ville and I to do that on the same goal. We might have to split the puck in half, I'm not sure."
However, Koivunen seems happy to let McGroarty get the puck for his goal:
"I'm really happy for him. It's a big goal."
Later, Mike Sullivan, the Pens head coach, offered insights on the two prospects' game:
"If we didn't think they were deserving, we wouldn't put them out there. We think they're making a difference, and so, they're earning their opportunities. Obviously, Rutger gets a super nice goal. Ville makes a nice play. But there was more to it than that."
"Rutger chased the puck down prior to that, where, if we gave them the separation, they might have hit an empty net. They don't, because he puts pressure on it. I thought they were terrific in that circumstance."
"The only reason I haven't used him more (on the penalty kill) is because I'm trying to manage his minutes. He's playing with Sid on Sid's line. That, in and of itself, is a challenge, because the way Sid plays the game and the way his line plays the game, they don't play easy minutes, they play hard minutes. Then on the perimeter, he's also on one of the power plays."
"Rutger chased the puck down prior to that, where, if we gave them the separation, they might have hit an empty net. They don't, because he puts pressure on it. I thought they were terrific in that circumstance."
"The only reason I haven't used him more (on the penalty kill) is because I'm trying to manage his minutes. He's playing with Sid on Sid's line. That, in and of itself, is a challenge, because the way Sid plays the game and the way his line plays the game, they don't play easy minutes, they play hard minutes. Then on the perimeter, he's also on one of the power plays."
The team's goalie, Tristan Jarry, also provided comments on the situation:
"It's huge. I think with the opportunity that they have to play some more minutes and play in those key moments of the game, I think that's big. It'll be a big learning experience for them. And it's awesome to see Rutger get his first goal there. That's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, and he's going to cherish that forever."
The Pens will be back in action tomorrow afternoon against the Dallas Stars.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 4 | 151 ANSWERS Penguins Prospects Shine as McGroarty and Koivunen Hit First NHL Milestones Do you think the Pittsburgh Penguins will bounce back next season and make it to the playoffs? | ||
| Yes | 112 | 74.2 % |
| No | 39 | 25.8 % |
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