Archives for 2003

'Chris Drury returned to the Buffalo lineup after missing four games with a separated shoulder. … Weekes started his 16th straight game. … Jay McKee picked up his first point since last February on Brown's goal, a span of 29 games.'

'"We didn't get much going in the first 40 minutes," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "As a team, we had 12 shots after two periods. It just didn't seem like we had much gas. The only period we really got it going was in the third, and Weekes made some good saves."'

'Noronen stopped 29 of 31 shots but got little help from the offense as Buffalo could only muster 22 shots and went 0-5 on the power play.'

'"He's ready to play," Ruff said. "I just haven't played him. . . . Sometimes things don't work."'

'G Martin Biron hasn't recorded a win since Nov. 28.'

'The Sabres broke an eight-game winless streak with a 3-1 win over Carolina on Friday, and, after a 3-1 win at Washington on Saturday, are unbeaten in three games. Miroslav Satan had a goal and two assists against the Capitals. … Goalie Mika Noronen posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season. … Chris Drury, who has missed four games with a shoulder injury, could play tonight. Defenseman Andy Delmore (groin) and forward J.P. Dumont (hip) are doubtful. … Defenseman Alexei Zhitnik has three assists and is plus-2 in the past three games. … The Sabres have taken 114 shots in the past four games, scoring 10 goals.'

'"It's a big relief to finally win some games," said Satan, who had two assists. "Hopefully, we get confidence and continue to play this way."'

'"I thought he played a safe game," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "I would like to have seen him skate more, but for a first game I thought he held his own."'

'"We had our chances tonight, but we couldn't get the puck to go in," right wing Mike Grier said. "We had the puck in their zone a lot; we just didn't get it on net enough."'

'Peter Bondra scored Washington's only goal (on his only shot) and hit two pipes but the Sabres held a commanding 40-22 advantage in shots. Actually, what hurt the Caps was taking the second period off — they had two shots and one was a gift — as the Sabres, winners of one of their last nine games, were minus their leading scorer.'