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Penguins Notebook: McGroarty Cleared, St. Ivany Not Pleased
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- Penguins Notebook: McGroarty Cleared, St. Ivany Not Pleased
Rutger McGroarty, Pittsburgh Penguins
CRANBERRY — Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rutger McGroarty finished the morning skate Saturday not in a white non-contact sweater but a full participant yellow sweater.
Following the skate, coach Dan Muse confirmed McGroarty has been cleared for contact, presumably the next to last step in his recovery from a concussion suffered Jan. 3 against the Detroit Red Wings .
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Saturday was the first day that McGroarty was a full participant, but he began skating with the team Wednesday.
McGroarty, 21, will be a scratch Saturday and stayed on the ice with the other scratches, including Kevin Hayes , beyond media access, but the Penguins practice Sunday.
In 16 NHL games this season, the rookie has two goals and one assist.
St. Ivany "Mediocre?"
It seems Penguins defenseman Jack St. Ivany can be his harshest critic. The Penguins have played a few strong games this week, including a 2-1 shootout loss to the red-hot Tampa Bay Lightning and a 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers .
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The Penguins have done so without top defenseman Erik Karlsson , who is out for a couple of weeks or more with a lower-body injury. Karlsson's absence created an opening on the blue line, which St. Ivany has filled, playing on the second pair with Parker Wotherspoon .
There have been no major mistakes, no blame for goals against, yet St. Ivany told Pittsburgh Hockey Now that he's not happy with his game.
"I feel like the last couple of games haven't been a coach's dream. But, last game, we got the job done, which is what is asked at the end of the day," St. Ivany said. "I think that playing with Parks (Parker Wotherspoon), you can tell his poise with the puck, his ability to defend. It's nice playing with a guy like that.
"My game's been kind of mediocre the last couple. I feel like there's more in me. And can make smart puck plays."
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Over the last two games without Karlsson, St. Ivany has played 19:58 and 16:32, respectively. He was a plus-1 against Philadelphia Thursday and even against Tampa Bay on Tuesday.
So, what more does St. Ivany want to do?
"Execute a little better. Be a little quicker with the puck," said the physical 6-foot-3 defenseman. "Playing with Parker gives me more opportunities to get out there. Those guys move so fast. Got to be a little quicker."
He'll get another chance Saturday night. The Penguins' defense pairs remained unchanged during the morning skate.
The post Penguins Notebook: McGroarty Cleared, St. Ivany Not Pleased appeared first on Pittsburgh Hockey Now .
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