Leighton's 3rd Shutout Pulls Albany Ahead of Binghamton

Published on November 12, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Albany River Rats News Release


The River Rats kicked Week 6 with a pivotal match up with the Binghamton Senators Wednesday night in Albany. The B-Sens came into the game in a tie with the River Rats for second place in the East Division, but Michael Leighton continued his dominance over the Senators with a 28-save shutout, his 3rd of the year, in a 2-0 Albany victory. The River Rats then hit the road for a short two-game weekend trip. Leighton was solid on Saturday night in Hartford, but the Wolf Pack's persistence, coupled with Albany's lack of offense, led to a 4-1 Hartford win. Sunday was a big showdown in Philadelphia between the first place Phantoms and the second place River Rats. Casey Borer's power play goal gave Albany a first period lead and Leighton was masterful in goal, but too many third penalties led to two Phantoms power play goals and a 2-1 loss in the City of Brotherly Love.

The River Rats will regroup at home for three division games in Week 7. Albany will try to snap a 12-game home losing streak to the Hershey Bears Friday night; the River Rats have not beaten Hershey at the Times Union Center since March 28, 2004, going 0-11-0-1 to the Bears over that span. Saturday the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins make their first appearance of the season in Albany. The Penguins fell victim to Leighton's first shutout of the season on October 26th. Albany will finish off their busy weekend of three-games in three-days with a sprint down to Hershey on Sunday for their four game of the year against the Bears.

Week 7 Schedule: (Home Games in Bold)

(All games are broadcasted LIVE on ESPN Radio 104.5 FM The Team & on the Internet at www.albanyriverrats.com)

Friday, November 16 7:00 pm vs. Hershey Bears (4-7-0-0, 8 pts) Seventh Place, East Division

Saturday, November 17 7:00 pm vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (6-6-0-0, 12 pts) Fifth Place, Atlantic Division

Sunday, November 18 5:00 pm @ Hershey Bears (4-7-0-0, 8 pts) Seventh Place, East Division

Week 6 Game Results:

11/7/07 Binghamton 0 @ Albany 2

Albany, NY - Casey Borer scored his first professional goal and Michael Leighton recorded his third shutout of the season as the Albany River blanked the Binghamton Senators 2-0 Wednesday night at the Times Union Center.

The River Rats were looking to carry the high-energy win over the Lowell Devils last Saturday into Wednesday's battle for second place in the division, but with two early penalties, Albany was forced to defend the Binghamton power play. After holding the B-Sens scoreless, the River Rats took to the offense with their first power play late in the first period. Jerome Samson blasted in his team-leading fifth goal of the season at 17:51, assisted by Ryan Bayda and Jamie Johnson. Almost immediately following Samson's goal, starting goaltender Michael Leighton denied a short-handed breakaway from Denis Hamel to keep the River Rats ahead 1-0.

Albany turned up the pressure in the second period, out-shooting Binghamton 18-9, but the goaltenders ruled the frame, as Albany's Michael Leighton and the Binghamton's Brian Elliot were both outstanding.

The River Rats distanced themselves in the third period when they cashed in for their second power play strike of night. Defenseman Casey Borer sent a blistering shot over the glove of Elliot and into the top shelf at 7:51 for his first professional goal, assisted by Samson and Johnson; it was the first goal scored by a River Rats defenseman this season. With an insurance goal on the board, Leighton shut the door on the Senators, making seven saves in the final period to lead Albany to a 2-0 win and his AHL-leading third shutout of the year.

Leighton stopped all 28 shots to record his fifth win and his 25th career AHL shutout. Albany finished 2-for-7 on the power play, just the second time this season they have scored two or more power play goals in one game. The River Rats improved their record to 7-4-0-1, pulling two points ahead of Binghamton into sole possession of second place in the East Division. Brian Elliot took the loss in goal for the B-Sens, making 36 saves on 38 shots; the Senators were 0-for-5 on the power play.

11/10/07 Albany 1 @ Hartford 4

Hartford, CT - The Albany River Rats scored first, but fell short to the Hartford Wolf Pack 4-1 Saturday night at the Hartford Civic Center.

With their captain Keith Aucoin back in the lineup, the River Rats were looking to build on their two-game winning streak as they prepared to face a physical Wolf Pack squad. Mike Angelidis struck first when he poked his own rebound past Hartford goalie Chris Holt at 9:10 of the first period, assisted by Jamie Johnson; Johnson's 4th assist in his last three games. Fresh off his AHL-leading third shutout of the season Wednesday against Binghamton, Albany starter Michael Leighton had to be in top form to deny. Leighton was clinical as he held Hartford at bay, including two stellar saves on highly touted Rangers prospect Greg Moore.

The Wolf Pack were not about to go quietly in their home building and they increased their offensive pressure in the second period. Brodie Dupont tied the game at 5:14 of the second period, taking a pass from Pierre Parenteau in the low slot and beating Leighton to the far post. Hartford continued to pressure Leighton, who continued to frustrate the Wolf Pack forwards, but the hosts' pressure paid off. Defenseman Jake Taylor scored on a slap shot from the blue line at 15:34, assisted by Parenteau and Dupont, to give Hartford a 2-1 lead after two periods.

The Wolf Pack struck a dagger into the River Rats hopes of a comeback at 6:51 of the third period when Lauri Korpikoski scored a power play goal, assisted by Moore and Parenteau, giving Hartford a 3-1 lead. Albany mounted some pressure later in the period, but could not claw their way back into the game. In the final minute of action Hugh Jessiman added insult to injury when he scored at 19:23, capping off a 4-1 Hartford victory.

Chris Holt stopped 15-of-16 shots to earn the win in goal for Hartford, while Michael Leighton made 28 saves on 32 shots in the loss for Albany. The Wolf Pack finished the game 1-for-3 on the power play; the River Rats were 0-for-2 with the advantage.

11/11/07 Albany 1 @ Philadelphia 2

Philadelphia, PA - The Philadelphia Phantoms came from behind by scoring two power play goals in the third period to beat the Albany River Rats 2-1 Sunday afternoon at the Wachovia Spectrum.

In the third period of their previous meeting on October 12th, Albany and Philadelphia were involved in a line brawl, where all 10 skaters on the ice ended up in the penalty box. When the first and second place teams in the East Division prepared to drop the puck in the first period Sunday, a physical match up was expected and the two squads did not disappoint. Just past the midway point of the period a big hit near the Albany bench set off another line brawl and six players wound up in the sin bin.

The River Rats grabbed the lead at 15:09 when defenseman Casey Borer unloaded a blistering slap shot from the high slot for a power play goal, his second of the year, assisted by Bobby Hughes and Mike Angelidis. Albany starter Michael Leighton was impenetrable in the first two periods, stopping all 32 shots he face through 40 minutes and the Phantoms were beginning to get frustrated.

However, the River Rats gave Philadelphia five straight power plays in the third period, allowing the first place team a chance for a come back. Boyd Kane redirected a shot from Alexandre Picard at 2:36 for a power play goal, tying the game 1-1. The Phantoms then took the lead on a 4-on-3 power play goal from Ryan Potulny at 8:59, assisted by Picard and Steve Downie. The River Rats had a chance to level the score with a power play in the final three minutes of play, but could not get the puck past goalie Scott Munroe.

Munroe earned the win for Philadelphia, stopping 19-of-20 shots; while Michael Leighton blocked a season high 45-of-47 shots in the loss for Albany. The Phantoms were 2-for-8 on the power play and the River Rats finished 1-for-6.

River Rats Player of the Week: (Week 6)

Michael Leighton - G - #20 3 GP, 1-2-0-0, 2.01 GAA, 0.944 Sv %, 1 SO

Michael Leighton continues to shine as one of the top goaltenders in the AHL. Leighton posted his AHL-leading 3rd shutout of the season in a 2-0 win over Binghamton on Wednesday. He made 28 saves and kept Albany in the game deep into the third period in Saturday's loss to Hartford. He then shattered his 2007-08 season highs for saves in both one period and one game with 45 saves on 47 shots Sunday at Philadelphia, including 18 saves in the second period alone. Albany's #1 goalie, Leighton ranks 2nd in the AHL in both GAA and save percentage.

Rat Bites:

- D-MAN OFF AND RUNNING - D Casey Borer scored his first professional goal Wednesday night with a power play goal vs. Binghamton; it was the first goal scored by an Albany defenseman this year. Borer then followed it up with his second of the season on Sunday at Philadelphia, another power play goal.

- APPROACHING THE QUARTER POLE - LW Brandon Nolan needs 1 more game played for his 250th career professional game. Nolan has 156 points (61 goals, 95 assists) through 249 pro games, including 168 AHL games. Nolan ranks third on the River Rats in scoring with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) and is expected to play his 250th pro game on Friday, November 16th vs. Hershey.

- LEADING THE PACK - G Michael Leighton recorded his AHL-leading 3rd shutout of the season on Wednesday vs. Binghamton; his 25th career AHL shutout. Leighton needs one more shutout to equal Ari Ahonen's Albany franchise record of 4 shutouts in one season, set during the 2004-05 season.

- OFFENSIVE MILESTONES - Three Albany forwards are very close to achieving some career points milestones. C Dave Gove needs 1 point for his 250th career Pro point; RW Pat Dwyer needs 5 points to reach 100 career Pro points and 10 points for his 100th career AHL point; C Keith Aucoin needs 6 points to record his 400th career AHL point.

- A TALE OF TWO PERIODS - The River Rats have excelled in the first period thus far this season, out-scoring opponents 15-6, while out-shooting them 149-130. Conversely, Albany has been out-scored 13-7 in the third period and out-shot by their opponents 163-105. The second period is almost dead even, out-scoring teams 8-6 and all square in shots 139-139.

River Rats Recent Transactions

November 9 - The Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) returned Keith Aucoin (C) on loan to the Albany River Rats (AHL). The Hurricanes (NHL) also recalled Ryan Bayda (LW) from loan with Albany (AHL).

Albany River Rats Team Leaders:

Goals: Jerome Samson (5)

Assists: Jamie Johnson, Jerome Samson (6)

Points: Jerome Samson (11)

Plus/Minus: Mike Angelidis, Brett Carson, Bobby Hughes (+4)

Penalty Minutes: Mike Angelidis (39)

Power Play Goals: Jerome Samson (4)

Short Handed Goals: N/A (0)

Game-Winning Goals: Brandon Nolan (2)

Shots: Pat Dwyer (43)

Shooting Percentage: Casey Borer, Trevor Gillies (16.7%)

Saves: Michael Leighton (362)

Wins: Michael Leighton (5)

GAA: Michael Leighton (1.83)

Save Percentage: Michael Leighton (0.943)

East Division Standings:

EAST GP RECORD PTS

Philadelphia 15 (13-1-1-0) 27

Albany 14 (7-6-0-1) 15

Binghamton 13 (6-6-1-0) 13

Bridgeport 13 (6-6-1-0) 13

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 12 (6-6-0-0) 12

Norfolk 13 (4-8-0-1) 9

Hershey 11 (4-7-0-0) 8

The River Rats host the Hershey Bears on Friday, November 16th at 7:00 pm at the Times Union Center. Saturday, November 17th the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins make their first trip to Albany this year for a 7:00 pm face off. Sunday the River Rats head to Hershey for a 5:05 pm match up with the Bears at the Giant 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 November 12, 2007


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