Leblanc Shines in Professional Debut
HAMILTON, Ontario - Former Harvard standout Louis Leblanc scored the overtime winner and added two assists in his first professional game, leading the Hamilton Bulldogs over the Rochester Americans 3-2 in overtime Thursday at Copps Coliseum.
The Bulldogs opened the scoring at 4:18 of the first period on the power play on a goal by Engqvist. Leblanc was at the left circle and gave a pass to Garrett Stafford at the left point. Stafford slapped a shot which was deflected right in front of the net by Andreas Engqvist past Rochester starting goaltender David Leggio, a former Clarkson standout.
The 'Dogs doubled their lead at 3:46 of the second stanza on a tally by Andrew Conboy. After receiving a pass from Leblanc, Conboy flew down the right wing on a two-on-one and wristed a shot from the faceoff circle over the glove of Leggio.
The Americans scored their first goal of the game on a marker by Colin Stuart at 5:05 of the final frame. Stuart picked up the puck at the blue line on the right side and cut into the slot where he wired a wrist shot over the blocker of Hamilton starting goaltender Nathan Lawson. The Amerks tied the score at 8:49 of the third period on a goal by Derek Whitmore. T.J. Brennan took a shot from the left point which was stopped by Lawson. The rebound came out to Whitmore who then slid the puck past Lawson.
Hamilton secured the victory in overtime on Leblanc's first professional goal in his first professional game at 2:28. Engqvist circled out from the left corner and feathered a pass through the slot to Leblanc who deked around a defender and buried a low backhand shot past Leggio on the open side.
