Leighton Shatters Franchise Shutout Record

Published on December 7, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY - Goaltender Michael Leighton broke a franchise record with his fifth shutout of the season, leading the Albany River Rats to a 2-0 Portland Pirates Friday night at the Times Union Center.

The River Rats have had a lot of success at home by scoring early and often in the first period, but the Pirates kept Albany in check, even holding the Rats scoreless on a prolonged five-on-three power play. Portland came close to scoring midway through the period when Stephen Dixon tipped a shot from the blue line, but the puck stayed out of the net, ringing loudly off the post.

The goaltenders, Leighton for Albany and Gerald Coleman for Portland, continued their dominance as they combined for 25 saves.

The River Rats finally broke the deadlock at 4:45 of the third period. Left wing Brandon Nolan drew a delayed penalty, fought through the hook and then backhanded the puck through his legs and past Coleman. Defenseman Mark Flood and center Jamie Johnson assisted on the goal, Nolan's team-leading 10th of the year. Portland upped the tempo trying to level the score and in doing so found themselves on the wrong end of another Albany two-man advantage. The Pirates again killed off the power plays, but they could not keep center Keith Aucoin off the scoreboard. The River Rats captain iced the game at 18:13 by collecting a pass in the neutral zone, skating down the right side and unleashing a searing wrist shot over the glove of Coleman for his fourth goal of the season; Flood and Ryan Bayda took the assists.

The Pirates pulled their goalie after Aucoin's goal, trying to break the shutout bid, but Leighton held firm to become the first Albany goaltender to record five shutouts in one season. Leighton made 26 saves to earn his ninth win of the year, helping the River Rats improve to 13-10-0-2. Gerald Coleman stopped 32-of-24 shots to earn the second star honors in a strong effort for Portland, who drop to 12-10-1-1. The River Rats finished 0-for-6 on the power play, while the Pirates were 0-for-3 on the night.

The River Rats will hit the road for a 5:00 pm Sunday contest with the Hershey Bears at the Giant Center in Pennsylvania. Albany's first of three games in Glens Falls, NY is coming up next week. The River Rats will host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday, December 15th, for a 5:00 pm face of at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

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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American Hockey League Stories from December 7, 2007


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