Archives for December 15, 2001

It was something old versus something new in HSBC Arena Friday night. Tom Barrasso played like he was a kid again in kicking out 36 shots. But it wasn't enough as 22-year old rookie goalie Mika Noronen outdid the Sabre for his third career NHL victory. The Sabres took the Carolina Hurricanes to overtime and captain Stu Barnes notched the winner against the old pro.

'Oswego native Erik Cole, a rookie winger for the Carolina Hurricanes, paid a brief visit to some of the more than 200 fans from the Port City who trekked to Buffalo to watch him in his first professional game in Western New York.'

'G Mike Richter has lost his last four starts and has a 4.25 goals-against average in that span.'

'With Lindros out, the Rangers must get scoring from other sources. York will move back to center on a line with Fleury and Sandy McCarthy. Barnaby will play with Petr Nedved and Radek Dvorak.'

'Rangers are 0-4-0-1 in their past five games.'

'"It wasn't an easy decision to put Mika in, but I thought our team was ready to play and ready to play hard," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "Our team gave him the type of first period he needed, where there wasn't a lot of shots."'

'Team Canada General Manager Wayne Gretzky is set to announce his Olympic roster at 12:30 p.m. today from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. McKee was a late invitee to Canada's orientation camp and is considered a long shot to make the team.'

'"Tommy played great," center Rod Brind'Amour said. "Aside from that, that's about it really. We never really got rolling."'

'At least two sections of the HSBC Arena were happy when Erik Cole scored for the Carolina Hurricanes in the first period of Friday's game against the Buffalo Sabres. About 100 fans from Oswego, N.Y. — Cole's hometown — traveled three hours to Buffalo for Cole's first game close to home.'

'Buffalo Sabres fans got a glimpse of goalies past, present and possibly future.'