To some, Michael Leighton will always be “the guy who gave up that Patrick Kane Stanley Cup-winning goal.”
Leighton deserves immense credit for doing everything in his power to prove that he’s more than that, including etching his own bit of positive history this season.
Granted, that success came in the AHL, but it’s resounding nonetheless: with his 46th shutout, Leighton set a new record in the AHL ... passing NHL legend Johnny Bower.
Congrats to @goicehogs G Michael Leighton, passing Johnny Bower on @TheAHL shutout list https://t.co/9QSBqvrdIH pic.twitter.com/OuAuMQ8ozM
— Dave Stubbs 🇨🇦 (@Dave_Stubbs) March 6, 2016
He’s accomplished quite a bit in the AHL, as this story notes:
In postseason play, Leighton owns the AHL records for saves in a single game (98, in a five-overtime loss on Apr. 24, 2008) and for lowest GAA in a single playoff year (1.18, in 2008). He shows a 1.68 GAA and .946 save percentage with five more shutouts in 27 career Calder Cup Playoff contests.
Here are his thoughts on setting a new record, via the Rockford IceHogs (ah, those AHL team names):
The best part of all might be this photo of Leighton with his family:
ICYMI, @goicehogs' Michael Leighton became the #AHL's career shutout king last night → https://t.co/0noLgHBt8w pic.twitter.com/mBWl1EnA2b
— American Hockey League (@TheAHL) March 6, 2016