Archives for December 2001

'How do you diplomatically say your goalies, Martin Biron and Bob Essensa, aren't playing all that well?' … [Read more...] about Goaltender Noronen called up

'"Sure we want to get Bob some playing time," said Ruff. "We also want to try and give Marty some rest when needed. I think we're in a situation now where we're going to play the guy who we think is going to win the game for us."' … [Read more...] about Time for Essensa to get some work in

'The Buffalo Sabres play defense in the first period and offense in the third. In the second period, they just play dead.' … [Read more...] about Sabres slumber in second periods

Buffalo Sabres fans thought their team was out of the doldrums. Well, look again! They are right back where they were a couple weeks ago. The goaltending is shaky, the powerplay is working in reverse and the hitting has gone south for the winter. After winning three straight road games and looking as if they were about to make a run up the standing ladder, the Sabres have … [Read more...] about Sabres malady continues against Bruins

'"Special teams obviously cost us the game," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "We were just caught standing around."' … [Read more...] about Writing on the wall is in shorthand during Sabres' loss

'The Bruins were outshot, 29-27, for only the third time all year.' … [Read more...] about Rolston, Bruins make short shrift of Sabres

'Now with 14 goals and 24 points in 29 games, Rolston is on a pace for what would be a career-high 68 points.' … [Read more...] about Rolston comes up bigger for Bruins

'''It was a little long,'' said Stock. ''And the refs were saying, `We're not going in until you guys stop.' I was looking over like, `Hey, don't be shy.'''' … [Read more...] about Stock's value on the rise

'Outworked by the Buffalo Sabres in the first period, the B's cranked their play up a notch thereafter and rolled to an impressive 4-2 victory at the FleetCenter.' … [Read more...] about Rolston, Bruins take

'In an entertaining 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at the FleetCenter last night, Stock brought appreciative fans, not to mention teammates, to their feet with a grueling third-period bout against Buffalo's pugilist Eric Boulton.' … [Read more...] about B's Stock rises with fisticuffs

'Brian Rolston, who leads the NHL in shorthanded goals with four, became the first Bruin to net a pair of shorthanded goals in the same game since Bryan Smolinski in March, 1994. Smolinski netted both goals on the same shift.' … [Read more...] about Gill, Samsonov can only watch

'The highlight of the period -- heck, maybe the game -- was a prolonged fight between Boston's P.J. Stock, playing his first game after missing the last 12 with a high ankle sprain, and Buffalo's Eric Boulton. They tangled deep in the Buffalo end for what B's coach Robbie Ftorek estimated was 70 seconds. It was truly an exciting, two-way, free-swinging clash … [Read more...] about B's home in on win

'"That's the way the game goes," Biron said. "There are time where you really don't have it, times where it's for different reasons, but it seemed like we played a very good third period."' … [Read more...] about Bruins 4, Sabres 2

'Brian Rolston scored a pair of shorthanded goals and Joe Thornton tallied twice at even strength, leading the Boston Bruins to a 4-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Boston 4, Buffalo 2

This was to be the litmus test for the Buffalo Sabres. After coming home from a hugely successful 3-game road trip, the Sabres were now going up against the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. The Sabres failed the test miserably as the Avalanche completely buried Buffalo 4-1. … [Read more...] about Avs snowball Sabres