Archives for January 20, 2002

Maybe Marty Biron is finally getting comfortable being the No. 1 Sabres goalie. Saturday night in Phoenix, he shut down the Coyotes, allowing only 1 goal on 33 shots as the Buffalo Sabres defeated Phoenix 3-1.

'"We need elite goaltending," Ruff said. "Any team that wants to win hockey games has to be led by its goaltender. Marty has led us through this stretch."'

'But the end result was one goal, no points and the unmistakable scent of desperation in the Phoenix dressing room.'

'Martin Biron made 32 saves for Buffalo, which has won five of its past seven games. The Sabres also got goals from Stu Barnes and Jay McKee and an empty-netter in the last minute from Miroslav Satan.'

'The Coyotes had 15 shots on goal in the second period, but all they got out of it was a Daniel Briere power-play goal.'

'An "Elvis Night" promotion drew a season-high crowd of 16,210, the Coyotes' first sellout of the year.'

'Biron extended his personal winning streak to three games and has just one loss in his last six starts.'