The Pittsburgh Penguins took to the ice at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Cranberry, Pa. on Wednesday with yet another face from WBS.
Forward Joona Koppanen - recalled on an emergency basis Wednesday morning from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (WBS), Pittsburgh's AHL affiliate - joined practice rotating in on the fourth line.
The 6-foot-5, 215-pound forward had a recent five-game stint with the NHL club - potting his first NHL goal in that span - but he was optioned back to WBS when Rutger McGroarty and Ville Koivunen were recalled Friday. The 27-year-old forward has registered seven goals and 22 points in 55 AHL games this season to go along with a strong defensive conscience.
He's glad to be back, and he wants to make the most of any opportunity he's given.
"It's awesome," Koppanen said. "It's always nice to be here and get the chance to show my game here and try to be here as long as possible."
Koppanen also mentioned that it's nice to be sharing the opportunity with McGroarty and Koivunen - a fellow Finnish player - especially since they've worked to build a winning culture in WBS, where the team is vying for its first-ever Calder Cup.
And he is appreciative of the organization rewarding both players for the work they've put in all season long.
"To see what work they put in there and see that they get rewarded for their work... it's awesome to see," Koppanen said. "It's fun to have a couple of guys - I know a few people - but, of course, I know them better because we've been playing [in WBS] almost a whole year together. So, it's nice to have them here."
McGroarty - Crosby - Rust
Dewar - Rakell - Koivunen
Kevin Hayes - Noel Acciari - Philip Tomasino
Danton Heinen - Blake Lizotte/Koppanen - Emil Bemstrom
Matt Grzelcyk - Kris Letang
Conor Timmins - Erik Karlsson
Ryan Graves/Vladislav Kolyachonok - Ryan Shea
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