Leighton Deals 33rd Career Shutout

Published on April 2, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Adirondack Phantoms News Release


Michael Leighton extended his own AHL modern-era record for most shutouts in a career with his 33rd such gem in a 3-0 victory over the previously streaking Syracuse Crunch. Syracuse had their five game winning streak snapped at the hands of the Phantoms who won the season series seven games to one.

Leighton's 25 save performance was good for his fourth shutout of the year and his first on home-ice in front of the Glens Falls Civic Center contingent. His previous shutouts came at Hamilton (4-0) and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (1-0) in February and at Springfield (3-0) on March 13.

Leighton is 6th on the AHL's all-time shutout list but has the most of any goalie since 1975. He knows about shutouts at the NHL level too as his three shutouts in the Eastern Conference Finals led the Philadelphia Flyers past the Montreal Canadiens and into the Stanley Cup Finals.

The Phantoms struck quickly for three goals in a five minute stretch late in the 2nd period for all their offense. Eric Wellwood (16th), Kevin Marshall (3rd) and Matt Read (4th) scored Adirondack's goals.

The win caps a terrific weekend for the Phantoms beginning their last homestand of the year as they beat the Albany Devils 9-5 and Syracuse Crunch 3-0 on back-to-back nights.

Adirondack has won five in a row on home ice and are 8-2-2 in their last 12 home games. The Phantoms are two games over .500 at home for the first time this year sporting a mark of 17-15-6.

Eric Wellwood got the Phantoms on the board with a power play goal at 12:31 into the second on more good, quick puck movement by Pither and Mike Testwuide setting him up. Wellwood is now tied for the Phantoms rookie lead in goals with Ben Holmstrom and Mike Testwuide who also have 16 apiece.

Less than a minute later Kevin Marhsall would blast a slapshot from the right point five-hole on Syracuse goalie J.P. Levasseur for his third of the year. Marc-Andre Bourdon began the play by carrying the puck deep into the right-wing corner before dropping for Kalinski who left it perfectly for Marshall's big blast.

Four minutes after that it would be Phantoms newcomer Matt Read to light the lamp for his third game in a row and his fourth game in six days. The play was set up by J.P. Testwuide's rush into the right-wing corner. He cleanly fired it across to Read into the left circle with the big one-timer. Read joined the team less than two weeks ago out of Bemidji State (Minn.) and scored the winning goal late last Saturday against first place Wilkes-Barre. He has scored in three straight games now including tallies Tuesday at Albany, Friday at home versus Albany and this game against Syracuse.

J.P. Testwuide's play earned him #3 Star of the Game honors. He also dealt the hit of the night on a big open ice check of Matt Kennedy. He then was challenged by John Kurtz and dropped the gloves with him.

Adirondack outshot the Crunch 34-25. The Phantoms were 1-for-8 on the power play while they held Syracuse to 0-for-4.

Joe Paterson is now 22-14-8 as Head Coach of the Phantoms.

The Phantoms "Rivalry" jerseys featuring the classic circle logo and orange stripes in a retro-look were auctioned to the fans after the game live on the ice. Michael Leighton's jersey fetched $1,000 from one determined auction winner.

There are five games left in the regular season and just two home games remaining for the Adirondack Phantoms who are in their last homestand of the year. The Phantoms host Rochester on Monday and then Albany again on Wednesday to decide the Time Warner Cable Cup. Wednesday's game is also Fan Appreciation Night featuring many prizes and giveaways to the fans as the team thanks them for a fun second season of Phantoms hockey in Glens Falls. Autographed jerseys will be among the giveaways.

Phantoms Notes: Newcomer Mike Matczak joined the Phantoms out of Yale University and made his pro hockey debut after making it into Glens Falls just a few hours before the game. Scratches for the game included Dan Jancevski, Zac Rinaldo and Danny Syvret as well as Matt Walker, Oliver Lauridsen, Tom Sestito and Logan Stephenson.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2011


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