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Leighton finally gets onto ice
Goalie Mike Leighton made his first appearance for the Predators in his first NHL game of the season Thursday when he replaced starter Chris Mason to begin the third period of Nashville's 7-2 loss to Buffalo.
Mason, who had won his five previous contests allowing six goals over that stretch, let in five goals in the first two periods against the Eastern Conference-leading Sabres bringing.
Leighton logged 19:47 of ice time, allowing two goals on 10 Buffalo shots. Both goals came in the final three minutes when the Sabres were on a five-minute power play brought on by a fighting penalty against Scott Nichol.
Mason was given the loss.
"I just felt Mason was under siege there," Predators Coach Barry Trotz said. "He played really well, made some real good saves. I just felt enough was enough. Mas was doing his job, but we didn't have anyone else doing their job. That created an opportunity to put Mike in there."
Leighton, a 6-foot-3, 186-pound native of Petrolia, Ontario, was collected off re-entry waivers on Nov. 27 as Anaheim attempted to recall him from the American Hockey League Portland Pirates.
He was brought in to help backup Mason, who has been filling in for the injured Tomas Vokoun since Nov. 22. Leighton, however, hadn't gotten in goal as Mason has a personal-high 14 consecutive starts.
Leighton had 42 games of previous NHL experience, which he collected over two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks from 2002-2004.