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Hartford Blanks Albany 1-0

January 23, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - Miika Wiikman and Michael Leighton put on goaltending display as the Hartford Wolf Pack edged the Albany River Rats 1-0 Wednesday night at the Times Union Center.

The two teams traded attacks through most of the first period, but the Wolf Pack drew first blood just 21 seconds into their first power play when Pierre-Alexandre Parenteau found Alex Bourret wide open with a back-door pass to the right face off circle. Bourret had plenty of time to collect the puck and fire it into the open net at 8:28 before starter Michael Leighton could get over to cover the back side.

The clinical display from the netminders continued in the second period, as both Leighton and Wiikman showed their quality with numerous saves.

In the third period the forwards from both teams were continually frustrated by the goalies. Albany received two power plays within the final three minutes of the game and pulled Leighton for the extra attacker with 90 seconds left. The River Rats sent shot after shot towards the net, but either Wiikman or a defenseman in front denied them all.

Miika Wiikman made 26 saves to record his first career AHL shutout, Hartford's first team shutout of the season, as they improved to 26-13-2-4 on the year. Michael Leighton turned in a near perfect performance in goal for Albany, stopping 31-of-32 shots in his first action since returning from Carolina, but the River Rats dropped to 24-20-0-2 on the season. Albany failed to cash in on their special teams, finishing the game 0-of-6 on the power play, while Hartford won the game because of the 1-for-3 performance with the man advantage.

The River Rats hit the road Thursday as they head down to Norfolk, VA as they prepare for a two-game weekend series with the Norfolk Admirals, beginning on Friday, January 25th at 7:15 pm at the Norfolk Scope.

Partial season tickets packages and flex tickets for the 2007-08 River Rats season are on sale now. For more information please contact the Albany River Rats at (518) 487-2244 or online at www.albanyriverrats.com.

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