VOORHEES, N.J. – Tony DeAngelo waited a long time in his career to finally play for his “hometown” Flyers, so missing a couple games due to suspension in his first season here hasn’t sat well.
The South Jersey native was docked the two matches plus 54 grand in salary due to a spearing incident involving the Lightning’s Corey Perry in Tampa Bay last week.
DeAngelo claimed it’s the first time he’s ever received a five-minute major (aside from fighting) and indicated he doesn’t plan on it ever happening again.
After watching replays, the defnseman insisted there was nothing pre-meditated about the confrontation.
“If I really wanted to spear him, I probably would have reared back and speared him,” DeAngelo said. “It’s unfortunate. The replay looks like he deserved it. There’s nothing I can do now.”
After that game, coach John Tortorella said DeAngelo probably “crossed the line” but at the same time didn’t want to curb DeAngelo’s somewhat fiery personality and the emotional way he plays the game.
“The other suspension was for trying to get away from a ref to get in a fight,” the defenseman said. “You get an abuse of official call. I wanted to give him (Perry) a shot. I told (NHL director of player safety) George Parros that. I was looking to give him a shot but I wasn’t looking to hurt anybody or jab him in a part (lower midsection) I hit him there.
“So it’s never happened in my career before and I don’t plan on it happening again. I’m not that kind of player. I try to play the game pretty clean. Nasty but clean, if that makes any sense. It won’t happen again.”
>Konecny, Couturier skating
Both Travis Konecny (upper-body injury) and Sean Couturier (back surgery) have been doing some skating on their own but there’s no information on whether either will be able to play in any of these final 16 games.
“I know ‘Coots’ has been working as hard as he can and you see it everyday,” Scott Laughton said. “In the gym and doing different things. I’ve said it before, I really don’t think people realize how hard he’s worked to the point that he’s at and how much he’s put in behind the scenes. Hopefully we’ll see him out here with the boys pretty soon.
“You see those guys skating, you see them in the rink, around the guys a little bit more. It’s always nice – two massive guys for our team and guys in the room who can help these young guys along.”
While suspended, DeAngelo skated back in Voorhees with the two injured players.
“It was boring, even though you’re home,” DeAngelo said with a grin. “I was skating with Coots and TK, we had fun sitting around but you want to be on the ice, you don’t want to be watching games, especially when you’re healthy enough to play.
“Sean really looked good a couple days ago. It’s encouraging to see them around the locker room. He’s an important guy, it’s good to see him get back healthy.”
Tortorella said he had no report or information on a timeline for either two players.
Meanwhile, Wade Allison missed another practice due to injury and the coach considers him day-to-day at this point.
>Foerster, Desnoyers impressive
Both rookies Tyson Foerster and Elliot Desnoyers have been impressive in their brief trials with the Flyers. Tortorella likes what he’s seen so far.
The two players shuttled back and forth with the Phantoms as they make a drive for the AHL playoffs. They were called up on an emergency basis due to injuries to Allison and Brendan Lemieux.
“They’ve got a couple games under their belts,” Tortorella said. “It’s important they do go through that playoff run as far as their development. Maybe at somewhere along the way we look at some other guys, depending on the call-up situation. These guys are on emergency (call-up).”
