Archives for October 20, 2001

'It worked like a movie. Two former Sabres players, Geoff Sanderson and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre, worked the play that ultimately propelled the Blue Jackets to a 3-1 victory before a deflated sellout crowd of 18,690. Rudy and the Gipper won the day.'

What a fitting way for the Columbus Blue Jackets to win their first game. Former Sabre Geoff Sanderson scored the winning goal against his former teammates when he was fed a perfect pass from yet another ex-Sabre, Jean Luc Grand-Pierre, who hit him charging in all alone in the Sabres zone. Sanderson had one thing on his mind, payback. That is exactly what he did when his shot somehow got through Biron\’s pads for a goal with 8:56 left in the game, to help the Blue Jackets seal a 3-1 victory over the Sabres.

On October 3rd, I had no idea how the Buffalo Sabres could ever miss the playoffs this season. After Friday's loss to Columbus, I'm starting to get the picture.

On Thursday night the Jacksonville Jaguars learned how embarrassing it is to lose at home to a team that hasn't won a game all season. A day later, it was the Buffalo Sabres' turn.

'They didn't look indifferent Friday, the way they had against Nashville earlier in the week, but nothing seemed to be clicking for the home team.'

'"I was criticized in Buffalo last year, and I would like to show them something," Gilmour said.'

'The Canadiens gave up three power-play goals to Washington on Friday, the first they've allowed all season.'

'"It's good any time you get a game-winner like that, especially when your team's a little bit down," Sanderson said. "I'm not going to say it's not special to get it against your old team, but we're just happy we got that first win."'

'A nifty setup by Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre helped the Columbus Blue Jackets pick up their first victory. Grand-Pierre made a beautiful pass to Geoff Sanderson, who scored the go-ahead goal with just under nine minutes remaining, as the Blue Jackets posted a 3-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.'