LaBarbera ties AHL record as Hartford blanks Falcons
Published on February 8, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Springfield Falcons News Release
Springfield, MA â Hartford goaltender Jason LaBarbera registered his ninth shutout of the season to tie an American Hockey League record as the Wolf Pack defeated the Springfield Falcons, 2-0, before a crowd of 4,405 at the Springfield Civic Center on Saturday night. Left wing Chad Wiseman and defenseman Bryce Lampman netted goals for the Wolf Pack while center Cory Larose assisted on both tallies. Rookie netminder David LeNeveu stopped 31 of 33 shots in the Falcons' net.
LaBarbera matched the record for shutouts in a season. Buffalo's Gordie Bell originally set the record of nine shutouts in the 1942-43 campaign and was equaled by J.F. Labbe for Syracuse in 2001-02.
Wiseman, the Wolf Pack's leading scorer, collected the puck in the low slot and slid a backhand past LeNeveu to provide Hartford a 1-0 lead 7:32 into the game. The goal was Wiseman's 15th of the campaign.
The Wolf Pack converted their fifth power-play opportunity of the game to make the score 2-0 at the 8:10 mark of the second frame. On the goal, Lampman skated down the slot from the point to receive a pass from the corner by Larose. The Hartford blueliner moved in alone on LeNeveu and lifted a shot under the crossbar for his second tally of the season.
LeNeveu kept the Falcons within two goals with several sparkling saves over the final 30 minutes of the game. The rookie netminder made a right pad save to deny a breakaway by Paul Healey, who tried to beat LeNeveu with a backhand, with eight minutes remaining in the contest.
Falcons head coach Marty McSorley pulled LeNeveu for an extra attacker with just under a minute remaining to play, but the club was not able to put the puck past LaBarbera.
The shutout was LaBarbera's sixth on the road this season.
The Falcons were scoreless in seven power-play chances in the game, while Hartford converted one of eight man advantage situations.
Rookie left wing Darren McLachlan was recalled by the Falcons from the Adirondack IceHawks of the UHL before the game on Saturday.
LeNeveu now heads to Grand Rapids, Michigan where he will represent the Falcons at the 2004 Pepsi AHL All-Star Classic. The rookie will participate in the AHL All-Star Skills Competition on Sunday and the AHL All-Star Game on Monday. The All-Star Game on Monday will be broadcast on Fox Sports New England beginning at 7:00 pm.
Saturday's game ended a four-game homestand for the Falcons. The team will face the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on the road Wednesday, before returning to the Civic Center for three straight home games. The Sound Tigers will visit the Falcons at The Nest next Saturday. For information on tickets and group discounts, please contact the Falcons team office at (413) 739-3344.
American Hockey League Stories from February 8, 2004
- 2004 AHL All-Star Game tickets still available - Grand Rapids Griffins
- PlanetUSA wins AHL All-Star Skills Competition - AHL
- Final AHL All-Star roster changes - AHL
- LaBarbera ties AHL record as Hartford blanks Falcons - Springfield Falcons
- Lamothe finally yields to Ducks - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Game starts late but Wolves don't in 4-2 win over Aeros - Houston Aeros
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