Archives for March 17, 2001

As the Sabres round into shape for the upcoming playoffs, they have some fresh and eager faces to help

Inside — really Inside — the Numbers of the Sabres' 4-2 win over the Canucks.

While the moves Washington made at the trade deadline were done for leadership and playoff experience, the impact of them has coincidentally stumped the Capitals' offense, which has been shut out in its last two games.

Olaf Kolzig always plays his best against the Buffalo Sabres. Since he outplayed Dominik Hasek in the Eastern Conference Finals in 1998, he has a record of 5-2-2 versus Buffalo (5-1-1 against Hasek).

In relative anonymity, newcomer Steve Heinze flashed his finishing touch on the first goal; his sheer will and determination in swatting in his backhanded game-winner on the second; and his poise and humility on the third in looking to set up a teammate before the empty-netter that gave him the hat trick.

'Steve Heinze recorded a hat trick, giving him four goals and an assist in his two games as a Buffalo Sabre, to key a 4-2 victory over the Vancouver Canucks Friday night at HSBC Arena.'

'Curtis Brown might be the Buffalo Sabre closest to Michael Peca.'

'Buffalo acquired Steve Heinze and Donald Audette in the 11th hour of the trading season without giving up any active Sabres players. With two new wingers and no empty spots on the roster, someone has to be sacrificed. So Tsyplakov, who has three goals, two assists and a plus-3 rating in his last seven games, is back on the bench.'

'Naslund was squeezed out by Buffalo defencemen Rhett Warrener and Jay McKee while chasing down a loose puck and fell awkwardly into the boards with his right leg twisted under him.'

'Head of the class – Steve Heinze. The new Sabre scored the opening goal, the winning goal and the insurance goal.'