Archives for November 1, 2002

Worried about that number? You know, that low figure that makes you think “our” team might not be around anymore. Well, you should be. But, chances are, we're not thinking about the same number

'"If you look at the stat sheet and it says we lost 3-0, you would think "Oh they got outplayed,' " said Sabres winger Vaclav Varada. "But that's not what happened."'

'"I used to have season's tickets to the Buffalo games, when they'd get 15,000, 16,000 a game … it's a helluva market, a hockey market," said Oilers president Pat LaForge, who has long admired how the NFL Bills fill their 80,000 seat Rich Stadium every Sunday. LaForge has spoken to Sabres GM Darcy Regier often about how the Oilers got to 15,000 season tickets, through appealing to the community, going to breakfasts, bake sales — you name it.'

In the first period, the Flames did not get a single opportunity with the man advantage. Guess what? They still scored twice, with Iginla leading the way.

And even if the two-year, $1.1-million US contract he signed with the Sabres in July will probably be his last, Patrick credits holistic medicine — the twice-weekly trips to chiropractors, the acupuncture treatments, the meditation and various other relaxation techniques, the macrobiotic diet and steady trips to health-food stores — for his surprising longevity.

And because they got every break imaginable, in addition to big goaltending from Turek. The Flames first two goals deflected off D Alexei Zhitnik and D Rhett Warrener, respectively; the Sabres were outshooting Calgary 23-9 and outplaying the hosts badly at the time of Drurys backbreaker.

The Sabres, meanwhile, were cursing their lousy luck. Despite holding a 23-11 edge in shots after 40 minutes, they trailed 3-0.

The 25-year-old selected by Buffalo in the first round, 14th overall, in 1995 is considered one of the best young defensive defencemen in the NHL.

It was not the most bone-crushing hit you will see but it is among the loudest. Flames rookie Chuck Kobasew drove into Buffalos Jay McKee at the end boards and the end result was a shattered pane of glass — which thundered to the ice.

'Buffalo, winless in its last four games, has three games left on a six-game road trip.'