Murray sets shutout streak record at 304:11

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins goaltender Matt Murray made American Hockey League history on Sunday afternoon, establishing a new league record for longest shutout streak. 

Murray extended his shutout streak to 304 minutes and 11 seconds before finally allowing a goal to Springfield Falcons forward Dana Tyrell at 18:49 of the third period of the Penguins’ 4-1 win at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass., falling just short of what would have been a fifth consecutive shutout. The streak was nearly 36 minutes better than the previous AHL record of 268:17, established by Barry Brust with the Abbotsford Heat in 2012. 

Murray began his streak on Feb. 8, shutting out the Bridgeport Sound Tigers over the last 5:48 after allowing a third-period goal to Kael Mouillierat. Murray then recorded four consecutive shutouts, blanking Portland on Feb. 13, Providence on Feb. 21, Bridgeport on Mar. 1 and Manchester on Mar. 7. He broke Brust’s record with 2:56 gone in the second period in Springfield on Sunday. 

Murray, who finished Sunday’s win with 32 saves, stopped 130 consecutive shots during his scoreless run. The 20-year-old rookie from Thunder Bay, Ont., is 18-8-2 in 30 appearances for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season, leading the AHL in goals-against average (1.57), save percentage (.940) and shutouts (nine). Murray was a third-round pick by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft.