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In his first game in nearly a month, Harrison Ruopp managed to put every aspect of his game on display in last Wednesday’s 5-0 win over Binghamton.

The 23-year-old blueliner set up a goal by Jean-Sebastien Dea by joining the rush and making a nice cross-ice feed. Later, Ruopp dropped the gloves with Senators’ forward Buddy Robinson. And throughout the night he played stellar defense, throwing several big hits and finishing the game with a plus-1.

It was a nice return for Ruopp, who had been a healthy scratch since he was recalled from Wheeling on March 6.

“It was a little bit of an adjustment but I felt like I was ready,” Ruopp said after Monday’s practice at the Mohegan Sun Arena. “This is where I want to be playing.”

Ruopp’s first game back led to a regular spot in the lineup in the next two games, and while the offensive contribution on Wednesday was nice, he knows it’s other parts of his game that will bring more ice time.

“If the offensive time is there I’ll go for it, but I try to play it safe in the D zone first,” Ruopp said. “I try to play as physical as possible and make it hard on the other players.”

That’s what head coach Clark Donatelli expects from Ruopp, and it’s an aspect he has seen plenty of times when he coached him at both Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and Wheeling over the last three seasons.

Donatelli said Ruopp’s physical play adds an edge to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s blueline, and any offensive contribution is a bonus but something that could become more frequent.

“He’s been able to make those plays and get his shots through,” Donatelli said. “The offensive skills are coming along, and it has to do with confidence and getting more ice time.”

Ruopp hopes that he not only gets more ice time in the remainder of the season, but also becomes a regular in the lineup for the playoffs.

And if he has to sit out again from time to time, Ruopp knows what he needs to do to get back in.

“When I was sitting out I just took it in stride and didn’t think negative thoughts. I’ve been through it and you just deal with it,” he said. “Practices are huge to help you stay ready, and every time I do get in the lineup I’m just trying to make a good impression to stay there.”

NOTES

– Tom Kostopoulos didn’t practice on Monday for a “maintenance day,” Donatelli said.

– The Penguins host Springfield on Tuesday, a team the Penguins have beaten in four of five meetings this season. Donatelli said he’s leaning toward starting Tristan Jarry in net, but it’s not 100 percent.

Harrison Ruopp hopes his successful return to the Penguins lineup will lead to a regular spot during the playoffs.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Ruopp.jpg.optimal.jpgHarrison Ruopp hopes his successful return to the Penguins lineup will lead to a regular spot during the playoffs. KDP Photography

By Tom Venesky

[email protected]

Up next…

Springfield Falcons (23-35-3-5, .409, 8th place in the Atlantic Division) at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (40-22-4-1, .634, 2nd place in the Atlantic Division)

7:05 p.m. Tuesday at the Mohegan Sun Arena

Listen live on 103.2FM-WILK

Players to watch:

Springfield – Craig Cunningham has three goals and five points in four games against the Penguins this season.

Penguins – In his only game against the Falcons (Feb. 27), Tristan Jarry allowed four goals in a 5-2 loss.

Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TLTomVenesky