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K's Score Big With Rookie Defenseman
K's Score Big With Rookie Defenseman
Click
here to read Justin Cohn's story on the Journal Gazette
website.
Frankie DeAngelis has been spending much of his down time playing
the video game “NHL 2010” on his Xbox. He takes control
of the Detroit Red Wings’ Nicklas Lidstrom, weaves him up-ice
and through the defenses of opposing teams to many scoring
chances.
There have been some times this season when DeAngelis has
circumvented the real-life opposition with similar ease, albeit at
the IHL level.
A rookie defenseman with the Komets, DeAngelis has two goals and
five points in seven games.
“Everyone on this team is really talented, and I’m just
trying to get pucks on net, let the forwards bang away on
rebounds,” said DeAngelis, who has found a spot on the
defending champions’ power-play unit.
“I try to be the fourth man in the rush, jump in the play and
help out the forwards. I want to be reliable in my own end, sure.
But I like to make that first (offensive) pass to the forwards,
break the puck out of my own zone.”
DeAngelis and another rookie defenseman, Matt Woodard, came to the
Komets after they were suggested to coach Al Sims by second-year
player Keith Rodger, who played alongside them at American
International College.
“Yeah, it’s good to come in as a rookie and know a
couple of your partners (already),” said DeAngelis, a native
of Woodbridge, Ontario. “Our chemistry out there is good.
They were helping me when I first got here.
“But all the veterans in (the locker room) are great. They
have answers for all the questions.”
DeAngelis tallied three goals and 10 points in 35 games last season
with American International.
“He’s bringing us some offense, for sure, from the back
end. And on the power play, he’s been effective,” Sims
said. “For a young kid, a rookie coming in, he’s very
poised with the puck.
“All the kids have a lot to learn on the defensive side of
the puck, but that’s normal for a young guy. Playing against
Todd Robinson and Robin Bouchard (of Muskegon) is a lot different
than the college game.”
The Komets (7-3-0) have won four of their last five games, but
they’re coming off a 2-1 loss at Muskegon, Mich., on Sunday.
The Komets and Lumberjacks (8-3-1), participants in last
spring’s Turner Cup Finals, meet again Friday at Memorial
Coliseum.
The offense has been sputtering lately – Fort Wayne has six
goals in its last three games – and DeAngelis will be looked
to as the Komets try to get the puck in the net more.
“I just try to play my game, put some points up and hope
everything works out,” DeAngelis said.
So far, everything has.
