Watch: Anthony Angello’s First NHL Goal

Pittsburgh Penguins rookie Anthony Angello officially checked off a huge milestone in his young career against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tuesday. Despite unorthodox circumstances, the 6’5 forward deflected a shot from the faceoff circle by Sam Lafferty to emphatically chalk up his first NHL goal. It probably wasn’t how Angello envisioned it would happen, but he will take it.

Angello, playing in just his fifth NHL game, started the day unaware he would have the opportunity to net goal number one, but a series of events unfolded that made the memory possible. After Evgeni Malkin was a game-time scratch due to falling ill during practice and left the ice shortly after the warm-up skate, Angello dressed in his place, had his shot, and certainly didn’t miss it.

Angello joined the Penguins organization after he was selected in the fifth round, 145th overall, in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The Albany, NY native enjoyed success at the college level at Cornell before turning pro.  While with ” The Big Red,” Angello stacked up three straight seasons of 20+ points and 10+ goals over the span of a 102 game collegiate career.

Anthony Angello made his NHL debut on January 31, 2020, in the Penguin’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. He was leading the Penguins’ AHL affiliate, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in goals and points at the time of his call up on the day prior.