AHL grads shine in NHL

January 9, 2003 - American Hockey League (AHL) News Release

In New York, John Tripp recorded two assists in his National Hockey League debut and Jamie Lundmark scored his first NHL goal as the Rangers defeated Carolina, 5-1. Tripp, who has been selected to play in the 2003 Dodge AHL All-Star Classic next month, currently ranks second in the AHL with 21 goals for the Hartford Wolf Pack, while Lundmark, the ninth overall pick in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, has 18 points in 22 games with Hartford this season.

In Chicago, Michael Leighton made his NHL debut for the Blackhawks and stopped all 31 shots he faced in a 0-0 tie with Phoenix. Leighton, a member of the 2002 AHL All-Rookie Team and a participant in the 2002 AHL All-Star Game, is 13-7-1 with a 2.71 GAA for the South Division-leading Norfolk Admirals this season. At the other end of the ice, Zac Bierk finished with 40 saves for the Coyotes to earn his first career NHL shutout. Bierk is 6-4-1 in 13 games with the Springfield Falcons in 2002-03.

Edmonton native Fernando Pisani traveled across six time zones from St. John's, Nfld. to Anaheim on Wednesday to make his NHL debut in the Oilers' 1-0 win over the Mighty Ducks. Pisani, who scored the game-winning goal in the Hamilton Bulldogs' 5-4 win at St. John's on Tuesday, has 17 goals and 15 assists in 41 games with the AHL-leading Bulldogs this season.

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