Archives for January 7, 2002

'With 40 games remaining, the Sabres have 37 points. Getting 90 points in a season usually assures a team will make the playoffs. That means the Sabres have to get 53 more points out of a possible 80. That's a big order.'

'The Sabres scored twice on the power play, successfully killed all six short-handed situations they faced against one of the NHL's best power plays and showed the kind of stifling defense they have played in seasons past.'

'Ah, the penalties. That's where this game turned bizarre. Wild enforcer Matt Johnson was called for five — five! — minor penalties and was sitting in the penalty box when the Sabres scored two of their goals. "I was trying to be physical … and bring some energy to the team," Johnson said. "And I tried to do it without taking penalties."'

'Wild forward Stacy Roest was a healthy scratch for the fifth time in the past six games Sunday. Forward Andy Sutton was scratched for the sixth time in the past nine games.'

'"After the first 10 minutes, we seemed to get demoralized. I don't know why."'

'Meanwhile, Ray kept tapping on the glass between the two benches and taunting the Wild coaches. He yapped most of the game. Then on the ice, he'd cover up. But his team won 4-1, so I guess he gets the last laugh.'

'Sunday's game was the only meeting between the Wild and Buffalo, but there was a chippy edge with enforcer Matt Johnson being agitated by the Sabres' Rob Ray.'

'Rob Ray takes his job of enforcer seriously, and the Buffalo Sabres are a better team because of it. Ray goaded Minnesota's Matt Johnson into five minor penalties Sunday, and Buffalo scored a pair of power-play goals in a 4-1 victory over the Wild.'

'The teams combined for only 34 shots, including eight in the third period.'