Pitton out; Haley closer

Jason Pitton is going to need surgery and will miss the rest of the season. The team is finally confirming the injury, which turns out to be essentially the same thing he had last year — only in the other shoulder. Like last year, they tried rehab first; like last year, it wasn’t enough. It’s a similar timetable to last year’s, so they expect him to be ready to start next season.

Micheal Haley practiced with the team today for the first time and said he’s feeling pretty good. Junior Lessard didn’t practice and remains day-to-day, though.

No other changes visible. The mood felt a little brighter than it did after Sunday’s frustrating loss.

Sean Avery practiced today with Hartford.

Coaching change in Springfield, meanwhile, as the Oilers replace Jeff Truitt with Rob Daum. The Falcons are in last place in the Atlantic and ahead of only Rochester in the league.

Great stuff from Jonathan Sunday: It looks like ex-WBS Pen Patrick Thoresen willed Norway into the Olympics. They should put him on a postage stamp. He is, without question, the greatest Norwegian hockey player I’ve ever covered.

West Haven’s Joe Pereira plays a huge role in the Beanpot: He goes in the box, and his teammates score two of their three short-handed goals on his minor.

Michael Fornabaio