Two more AHL shutout records fell by the boards on Friday night as the Year of the Goaltender continued around the American Hockey League.
Hartford posted its 14th team shutout of the season, surpassing the mark of 13 set by Syracuse in 2001-02, and at 9:34 p.m. ET, Philadelphia’s Neil Little closed the door on the 137th shutout league-wide, also a new record.
Jason LaBarbera extended his own AHL record with his 11th shutout of the year, stopping 31 shots in the Wolf Pack’s 3-0 win over Bridgeport in one of two games on Friday night between division leaders. In the other, Kory Karlander scored in overtime as Grand Rapids extended its home unbeaten streak to 13 games (10-0-3-0) with a 2-1 win over Hamilton.
Steve Valiquette made 32 saves for Toronto in a 2-0 win over Cincinnati, officially the 136th shutout of the season in the AHL, tying the mark set two seasons ago. Minutes later, Little and the Phantoms finished off a 3-0 win over Hershey for number 137, and Philly’s ninth win in as many meetings with the Bears this year.
In Philadelphia’s win, John Slaney also scored his 124th career AHL goal, tying Jim Wiemer‘s all-time league record for a defenseman.
The night ended with yet another goose egg, as Alex Auld stopped 37 shots in Manitoba’s 5-0 win over San Antonio, a victory highlighted by a four-goal effort by AHL All-Star Brandon Reid.
Elsewhere on Friday:
Josh Holden and Aaron Gavey scored in the third period to lift St. John’s to a 3-3 tie with visiting Cleveland… Toby Petersen recorded a goal and an assist for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in a 3-3 tie with Albany… Mike Zigomanis scored midway through the third period to give Lowell a 3-2 win over Norfolk… Krys Kolanos and Peter Ferraro registered a goal and an assist apiece for Springfield in a 3-3 tie with Portland… Adam Hauser stopped all 19 shots in relief of an injured Milan Hnilicka to lead Manchester past Providence, 3-1… Paul Gaustad picked up two goals, one assist and two fights in Rochester’s 5-1 victory over Syracuse… Greg Classen led the way with two goals and an assist for Milwaukee in a 4-2 win over Houston… Jason Bacashihua stopped 30 shots for Utah in a 4-1 victory over Chicago.
