Archives for April 2, 2001

The Panthers represent a perfect example of the fact that a team can have one of the most dominating players in the NHL and yet not even be a winning team.

It's no belated April Fool's joke to claim that Alexei Zhitnik is playing the best we've seen him since coming to Buffalo — and with 11 points and a cumulative plus-11 in his last 10 games, that's not a stretch.

The Sunshine State has left burns on the Sabres in the past, but that seems like such a long time ago now that it's a whole new feeling of confidence for those wearing the goathead.

'Dominik Hasek also turned in another strong performance, stopping 20 shots. But it was the first time the Dominator had given up more than one goal since March 16, six starts ago. Hasek got more than enough offensive help as the Sabres won their fourth out of five games.'

'Current and former Sabres' players Rob Ray and Larry Playfair will be on the board of directors for the fund, joined by former Sabres' President Larry Quinn along with Anthony Colucci and John DiTallo. Hasek will serve as chairman of the board.'

'The Sabres kept tightening defensively after Tampa Bay's steady march to the penalty box altered the momentum.'

'"Knowing Dom is back there allows all of us to go on the offense and maybe even cheat a little," Gratton said before Sunday's 4-2 triumph against Tampa Bay. "We know that 95 percent of the time he's going to make the save. That's a great feeling, the same kind I had the year we made the playoffs in Tampa. Puppa was winning games by himself for us that season because we were giving up a lot of chances."'

'"It's an awfully big hole to put yourself into against a club like that with Hasek in net. Instead of 2-1 it's 3-1," Tortorella said. "We end up battling back. I thought the guys worked very hard to try and get back in it. But again, it's that third goal."'

'The win puts the Sabres just one point behind fourth-seeded Philadelphia, but also adds a two points to their now three-point over sixth-place Pittsburgh, with all three teams having four games remaining.'

'If this article started with 'the Lightning held the Sabres to just one shot in the first period' many would say April Fools! But for the 45th time this season the joke ended up on the Bolts as Buffalo won 4-2 on Sunday night at the Ice Palace. Alexei Zhitnik led the stampede with two goals.'