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<p>Josh Archibald just wrapped up his pregame skate last Friday and was heading home to make lunch when he was called into coach Clark Donatelli&#8217;s office.</p><p>Archibald had no idea what to expect, but Donatelli&#8217;s message turned out to be a memorable one for the second-year pro.</p><p>&#8220;He told me I was getting called up to Pittsburgh for a game, possibly more,&#8221; Archibald said. &#8220;It was a real good feeling and a great day all around.&#8221;</p><p>A day after getting his first call to the NHL, Archibald played in his first game in Pittsburgh&#8217;s 4-2 loss to Calgary. The rookie logged five minutes of ice time over eight shifts while skating on a line with veteran center Matt Cullen and Tom Kuhnhackl.</p><p>Archibald said it wasn&#8217;t a major adjustment playing in his first NHL game and joining a team featuring numerous players with ties to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton helped.</p><p>&#8220;I was a little nervous my first shift, but all those guys helped calm me down,&#8221; Archibald said. &#8220;It also helped me settle in a little bit more. I didn&#8217;t go into a team where I was unfamiliar with the guys.&#8221;</p><p>While the adjustment wasn&#8217;t too hard, Archibald acknowledged there is a bit of a difference playing at the NHL level. Things are quicker, he said. Passes are faster and on the mark and players always seem to have a jump on the play.</p><p>With that in mind, Archibald went into his first game using a familiar formula.</p><p>&#8220;They wanted me to use my speed, play well defensively and get in on the forecheck,&#8221; he said. &#8220;Just be an energy guy and stick to my game.&#8221;</p><p>Archibald&#8217;s game is built around his speed, and even though he only played in one game with Pittsburgh before being sent back to Wilkes-Barre, the experience was a good test to see how he stacked up against the best competition in the world.</p><p>&#8220;It was a good test to see where my speed fit in up there. I think I did well,&#8221; Archibald said. &#8220;I was first on pucks and on the forecheck, so I think it worked out well for me. I gained a lot of confidence.&#8221;</p><p><strong>NOTES</strong></p><p>&#8226; The Penguins held a quick practice at the Mohegan Sun Arena on Thursday as they prepare for a home-and-home series against Bridgeport on Saturday and Sunday.</p><p>&#8226; Pittsburgh reassigned F Conor Sheary on Thursday. He has 36 points in 30 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season.</p><p>&#8226; F Oskar Sundqvist was a full participant in Thursday&#8217;s practice and Donatelli said he is likely to return to the lineup on Saturday. F Tyler Biggs (concussion) practiced with the red no-contact jersey and G Tristan Jarry (illness) didn&#8217;t practice.</p><p>&#8226; The Penguins reassigned G Brian Foster and forwards Anton Zlobin and Derek Army to Wheeling on Thursday.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Josh Archibald said the adjustment to his first NHL game was made easier by his former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton teammates now in Pittsburgh. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/web1_Archibald.jpg</photo0><caption0>Josh Archibald said the adjustment to his first NHL game was made easier by his former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton teammates now in Pittsburgh. </caption0><photoCredit0>KDP Photography </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Tom Venesky</p><p>tvenesky@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Tom Venesky at 570-991-6395 or on Twitter @TLTomVenesky</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Penguins forward Josh Archibald happy with his first NHL stint