When the Penguins traded for Chad Kolarik back on January 24th, he instantly became the team's leading scorer. When he scored his first goal with Wilkes-Barre 1:36 into his season debut up in Rochester, I knew it was only a matter of time until Kolarik transitioned, found new linemates and continued to rack up points.
Well here we are some three weeks later and I think it's safe to say Kolarik has found his spot in the lineup: on the team's top line, playing alongside Riley Holzapfel and Trevor Smith.
"I like the way he sees the ice," Smith said of Kolarik. "He's got a great shot and great vision."
On Saturday night in Binghamton especially, Smith and Kolarik seemed to have a pretty good sense of where each other were on the ice and it showed. Smith finished the game with two goals and an assist. Kolarik finished with a goal and three helpers.
"I think things are starting to click now and we are starting to find each other and with Holzy (Holzapfel) on the other side we've got some fire power on this line," Smith added. "It's fun to play with these guys and its perfect timing for this time of year"
I first talked to Kolarik after his first game with the team in Rochester and he talked about how this team was on a roll before he got here and he certainly didn't want to be a problem here. With eight points (3G-5A) in his first 11 games with the Penguins, that's the kind of problem I'm fine with Kolarik creating: A more balanced scoring attack throughout the lineup. He was quick to credit his line mates for his recent success.
"Smitty (Smith) is a leader on this team. He's counted on for many different things face-offs, PK, he's a first line guy and point per game player in this league" Kolarik said. "You kind of feed off of him, he's a great player."
"I think we are starting to build that chemistry, the three of us, and hopefully it'll continue to grow."
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