Spencerport's Barton finds success at home

Allen Barton began the season third among three goaltenders in his senior season at Niagara University. He hadn't played a single minute since his sophomore campaign and was fourth on the depth chart last season. But events have enabled Barton to move into the regular rotation this season for the nationally ranked Purple Eagles. He has matched his career total for wins with almost half a season remaining.

His fourth victory happened in his backyard - relatively - with a 3-2 win at Ritter Arena against RIT Saturday, January 6. Barton played with Spencerport High before moving on to junior hockey. He picked up two wins in each of his freshman and sophomore seasons.

"This is tops right now," said Barton about the win. "Coming back to play in front of friends and family, it's unbelievable. It's been a long, hard road, but I feel like it's all paid off now."

With three wins and a tie in the first half, Barton was sidelined with a broken finger in early December. "I took a shot wrong off the middle finger on my left hand and I felt it right away." He missed four games, but spelled teammate Juliano Pagliero for six minutes at Colgate before returning to the starting line-up at RIT registering a career-high 38 saves.

"I try not to worry about the number of saves I have, the win is more important for me and the team," said Barton. "Every time I worked out in the summer and every time I was on the ice, this was a big game for me. I wanted to show my friends and family that I still have it and I think I did that tonight."

January 14, 2007