Archives for November 23, 2002

It took a month doing so, but the Buffalo Sabres have finally won a hockey game. In capping off what was a roller coaster week for the team, the Sabres beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-4 Friday night in HSBC Arena before their new owner-to-be Mark Hamister. The victory was a nice present to the future Sabres owner and was a big relief for Miroslav Satan, who had "guaranteed" a win over Columbus.

'Rookie goaltender Ryan Miller made his HSBC Arena debut and recorded his first National Hockey League win, while several Sabres who hadn't scored since before the winless streak started scored four times.'

'The Blue Jackets skated around in a purposeless manner for 40 minutes before it occurred to them there was an opponent, a scoreboard and all the other accoutrements associated with an actual game. They turned around and played a good third period. Then, they ran out of time.'

'“They said I will play two games here and then ‘we’ll see,’ “ Noronen said after the morning skate Friday. “They don’t know, I don’t know. I don’t really want to stay here long.”'

Ruff, in the last year of his contract, is still Regiers good friend and most people realize he has done his best with a bad team. But if Buffalo does not start drawing the crowds back to HSBC Arena, a bigger broom will be brought in.

'Also, it was Brumm who visited Sabres goaltender Dominik Hasek during the 1999 playoffs when Hasek was having groin problems. A visit Woolley refuses to take any credit for.'

'“Winning ugly tonight is a good lesson learned,'' Sabres captain Stu Barnes said. “Any way you can get it done, you just have to make sure at the end of the night that you have more goals than they do.'''

'The Buffalo Sabres have two things they didn't have two days ago – an owner and a win.'

'Ryan Miller was mediocre in stopping 17 shots, but the 2001 Hobey Baker Award winner picked up his first NHL win.'