Archives for December 23, 2001

It was a bitter pill to swallow. The Sabres fans have expected top notch goaltending ever since their inception. Having seen such greats as Roger Crozier, Tom Barrasso, Don Edwards and Bob Sauve, not to mention the future Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek, tend the pipes in the Sabres storied history, it came as a complete shock to see the horrendous goaltending as of late.

'It was the Sabres' sixth loss in their past eight games and their fifth straight defeat with Martin Biron as the starting goalie.'

'Center Tim Connolly played in his 200th career NHL game Saturday night, an impressive feat for someone who still isn't old enough to sip a beer in Buffalo.'

'With about 30 seconds left in the second period, Quinn put out his three best offensive players in a five-on-five situation and it resulted in the decisive goal in Toronto's 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.'

The stage was set for another repeat performance by the Buffalo Sabres. With the Toronto Maple Leafs leading 3-2 late in the final period, the Leafs took a penalty just like they did Friday night in Buffalo. The Sabres scored a powerplay goal in the first game of the home-and-home series to tie the game. Saturday night in the Air Canada Centre, it played out exactly the same, except this time the Leafs shutdown the Sabres offense and came away with a 3-2 victory.

'James Patrick and Rhett Warrener scored for Buffalo, which took just one point from the home-and-home series and has won just one of its past eight games.'

'Mogilny registered two assists last night and has 20 in 36 games, putting him on pace for 46.'

'"It's a gut-check for us every time we play them," the Buffalo enforcer said. "You notice all the Leafs sweaters in our building. They bring the best out of us and I think (the opposite is true)."'

'This time, the Sabres failed to score with a two-man advantage late in the game.'

'As unsuccessful as the Toronto Maple Leafs are at HSBC Arena, the Buffalo Sabres are not much better at Air Canada Centre.'