head coach: Lindy Ruff

roster: C - Mike Peca, Derek Plante, Brian Holzinger, Eric Rasmussen, Wayne Primeau. LW - Randy Burridge, Miroslav Satan, Michal Grosek, Brad May. RW - Donald Audette, Jason Dawe, Matthew Barnaby, Dixon Ward, Rob Ray. D - Alexei Zhitnik, Darryl Shannon, Jay McKee, Mike Wilson, Bob Boughner, Richard Smehlik, Jason Woolley. G - Dominik Hasek, Steve Shields.

injuries: Brad May, lw, (torn mcl, 4wks, on ir 12/30/97)

transactions: Assigned Vaclav Varada, rw, to Rochester (AHL) for the All-Star Break and then recalled him.

standings:

Eastern Conference - Northeast Division
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA    
Pittsburgh   50  26  15   9    61  138  114
Montreal     51  26  18   7    59  153  124
Boston       49  21  19   9    51  122  121
Ottawa       50  20  22   8    48  116  121
Buffalo      48  19  21   8    46  117  122
Carolina     51  19  26   6    44  127  144

game results:

01/14  at Toronto      W 4-1
01/15  Vancouver       W 6-2
01/20  at Philadelphia L 3-0
01/21  Carolina        W 2-1
01/23  Tampa Bay       W 4-1

team news:

by Joe Brunner, Buffalo Correspondent

Since the news broke that John Rigaq had filed a letter of intent to purchase the team, the Sabres record is 6-2-2. Although the sale has yet to be finalized, there is a school of thought that the prospect of stable ownership has allowed the players to relax and concentrate on hockey. There's also a less well known school that attributes their recent success to the absence of Brad May. May is back skating again and should be back in the lineup next week.

It had been anticipated that the Sabres sale would be on the agenda at the NHL board of governors meeting during the All-Star Break, however that was not to be. There has been speculation that Rigas is trying to cut a better deal for himself, but thus far there's been no evidence to support that. My feeling is that Rigas is in no hurry to complete the sale before the trade deadline to avoid unrealistic pressure and expectations from the fans and media. The minute this deal becomes official, people will either be all over Rigas to spend major bucks to acquire a marquee player, or to bring back Ted Nolan. These distractions are best left for the off-season. It's even possible that a major housecleaning is planned, and it will be much easier to accomplish that from a PR standpoint if the team doesn't do so well.

As usual, one can't mention the Sabres without talking about Dominik Hasek. The Dominator is now back in the familiar position of leading the NHL in save percentage, .924. Amazingly, Carolina goalie Trevor Kidd had the nerve to suggest in the Greensboro News and Record that the home statisticians inflated the shots on goal to help his save percentage. For the record, the average shots on goal allowed by the Sabres at home and on the road is the same, 31, nice try Trevor. Unlike a certain rival publication, we at LCS freely acknowledge use of other's material. The preceding material on Trevor Kidd was provided courtesy of 3vezina's Dominik Hasek web site.

The Sabres also picked up the option on Hasek's contract for 1998-99, ensuring he'll be a Sabre for another season.

Although the Sabres are now in playoff position, it's premature to get excited by victories over Toronto, Vancouver, Carolina and Tampa Bay. These are hardly powerhouses and it's likely that none of these teams will make the playoffs. Bill Clinton still scores more than the Sabres, but it's encouraging that the scoring is picking up a bit. The line of Matt Barnaby, Michal Grosek, and center Curtis Brown has been especially effective lately. A key to the Sabre's success will be getting Brian Holzinger back on track.

The most entertaining game in this recent stretch had to be the 6-2 victory over the Canucks. It was "Old Time" hockey at it's best with even the goalies getting involved. Sabre's fans took a deep breath when the 'Nucks Gino Odjick took a run at the Dominator. Fortunately for Odjick, Richard Smehlik was the first man on him and saved Gino from a severe pummeling by Dom. All in all it was a fine game and a good time was had by all.

The Olympics are rapidly approaching and several Sabres will be in Nagano. Dominik Hasek and Richard Smehlik will represent the Czech Republic, and Alexei Zhitnik is playing for Russia. Miroslav Satan will join the Slovak team if they are fortunate enough to make it past the preliminary rounds. Although the Czech's do not have the talent or depth of the Canadian, US, Swedish, or Finnish teams, they will be a threat to ruin someone's medal hopes with Hasek between the pipes.

Last issue, I left you with a series of questions that were to be posed to Sabre's GM Darcy Regier at a booster club meeting. It is with deep regret that I must inform the readers that the person entrusted to ask these hard-hitting questions turned out to be a double agent secretly working for the Sabres.

Needless to say, none of the important questions were asked. But, rest assured that the quest for the truth will continue.

[ issues | web extra | stats | nhl archive | home | chat | mailing list | about us | search | comments ]

1998 © Copyright LCS Hockey All Rights Reserved