Archives for March 2, 2001

Set the VCR on rewind — just as he was in the first two meetings between the two teams, the Czech "rookie" goalie Roman Cechmanek was a 'mini-dominator' in frustrating the Sabres on every chance.

'Veteran defenseman James Patrick, diplomatic by nature, summed up the game less generously. "There's no excuse for it," he said. "They just outplayed us."'

'While a pair of Czech All-Stars minded the nets Thursday night, Buffalo's Martin Biron and Philadelphia's Brian Boucher got yet another 60 minutes to ponder the meaning of the word "backup."'

‘Roman Cechmanek had just beaten Buffalo’s Dominik Hasek last night for the third time. The Flyers weren’t handing out any trips to Disney World as a reward, but people wanted to know what it meant to the goalie. Is it special to play Hasek? “No,” he replied amid laughter. Why not? “Because I must play him.”‘

'Cechmanek, who is four shutouts away from Parent's franchise record for a season, tied Dominik Hasek for the NHL lead in that category last night, slapping down Hasek and the Sabres, 2-0.'

‘Cechmanek, who turns 30 tomorrow, no longer stands in awe of the all-world Hasek. “I’m happy to beat him because five times he’s the best in the league (Vezina winner),” Cechmanek said.’

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‘It was billed as The Dominator vs. the Roman Empire, Part III. It might as well have been billed a tryout for the 2002 Winter Olympics.’

'Roman Cechmanek must have learned well while watching Czech Republic teammate Dominik Hasek lead the national team to the gold medal in the 1988 Winter Olympics. The Buffalo Sabres might say too well.'

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