Archives for March 20, 2006

'Martin Biron stopped 18 shots for Buffalo, which has lost two straight following an eight-game winning streak.'

'Lehtonen had to stop only three goals in the first period and only eight through two periods.'

'Assistants Scott Arniel and Brian McCutcheon were in charge of the team Monday night and Ruff wass expected to return Tuesday.'

‘Ruff has returned to Buffalo for a pre-scheduled medical appointment for his daughter, Madeline. Assistant coaches, Scott Arneil and Brian McCutcheon, will take over Ruff’s duties in his absence.’

‘”It was just a bad game,” defenseman Toni Lydman said of Saturday. “We just have to learn. Put this one behind us and just keep going. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s definitely something we’ve gotta take a lesson from.”‘

‘”But all season long I haven’t been playing much. They’ve put me on a short leash. I didn’t have the best 40 minutes for myself, and I just got benched for it. There’s nothing you can do about it. I’m not happy about it. Obviously, I would like to go out there and redeem myself and help the team win. I think I could have helped a little bit. But it’s over now. It’s just a game of hockey. You’ve got to get over it and see what you can do (today).”‘

‘RW Maxim Afinogenov has three goals and four assists in the past four games.’

Buffalo (44-17-5) at Atlanta (32-29-6) (AP)

Sabres, Thrashers look to get back on winning track (Sportsticker)

Buffalo Sabres (44-17-5) at Atlanta Thrashers (32-29-6) (The Sports Network)