Shell
12-04-2003, 12:54 PM
OK, let's try to get back to hockey talk and away from insults on all ends...
It could be worse, we could be Chicago:
Hawks lose to Sabres, now winless in 12
Associated Press
12/3/2003
CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Blackhawks were done in again by goals in the third period.
Buffalo's Dmitri Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov scored in the final period to lead the Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks. The game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes.
Daniel Briere had a goal and an assist for the Sabres, who extended Chicago's losing streak to seven games and winless slide to 12 (0-8-1-3) - its longest since the 1994-95 season.
Bryan Berard and Brett McLean scored for the Blackhawks, who haven't won since Nov. 7 at Nashville.
During their slump, the injury-riddled Blackhawks managed to stay close, but consistently allowed late goals to lose possible points.
``We got caught trying to create something offensively,'' Blackhawks coach Brian Sutter said. ``There's no magic formula. The other team on the ice had three lines that are as good as anyone has in hockey.''
Chicago, desperate for a win and desperate for offence without injured forwards Alex Zhamnov and Eric Daze, committed coverage mistakes that led to Kalinin's and Afinogenov's goals.
Kalinin, a defenceman, beat goalie Michael Leighton at 1:29 of the third with a high shot from the slot after pinching in from the left point. He was set up by a pass from Ales Kotalik.
Afinogenov stuffed in a loose rebound from the goal line with 7:47 left to make it 3-1.
``It was the type of game where we stayed patient,'' Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. ``We didn't give up a lot of opportunities against a team that was hurting.''
Buffalo's Mika Noronen stopped 22 shots. Leighton blocked 25.
The Blackhawks' No. 1 goalie, Jocelyn Thibault, is out until February because of a hip injury that required surgery. Thibault was in goal for Chicago's last victory.
``We knew they were wounded and they were going to play hard,'' Briere said. ``You know they're going to come out strong. The good thing is after you get that lead, it's mentally tough for them to come back in the game.''
The Blackhawks were 0-for-4 on the power play and have converted just one of 23 chances the last five games. The Sabres also were 0-for-3 on the power play,
After a scoreless first period, Briere opened the scoring at 10:53 of the second.
After picking up the puck at the Chicago blue line, Briere slipped past Berard and Nathan Dempsey to break in alone on Leighton. He stuffed a low shot past Leighton's outstretched left leg.
Berard tied it 1-1 just 2:06 later from the low edge of the right circle. After pinching in from the point, Berard one-timed Mikhail Yakubov's feed from behind the net past Noronen.
After Kalinin and Afinogenov gave Buffalo a 3-1 lead, McLean cut it to 3-2 with 1:59 remaining. He scored from the edge of the crease after taking a drop pass from Scott Nichol.
Notes: Chicago LW Eric Daze underwent successful surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. Daze, who has played just three games this season, will be out another 10 weeks. It was his third operation for a herniated disc in four seasons. ... Blackhawks RW Steve Sullivan played after missing two games with a lower back strain. ... Chicago D Alexander Karpovtsev missed his third game with a sore ankle. ...... Buffalo D Andy Delmore was a healthy scratch. ... Sabres D Brian Campbell played after being scratched from the lineup in nine of 10 games.
It could be worse, we could be Chicago:
Hawks lose to Sabres, now winless in 12
Associated Press
12/3/2003
CHICAGO (AP) - The Chicago Blackhawks were done in again by goals in the third period.
Buffalo's Dmitri Kalinin and Maxim Afinogenov scored in the final period to lead the Sabres to a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks. The game was tied 1-1 after 40 minutes.
Daniel Briere had a goal and an assist for the Sabres, who extended Chicago's losing streak to seven games and winless slide to 12 (0-8-1-3) - its longest since the 1994-95 season.
Bryan Berard and Brett McLean scored for the Blackhawks, who haven't won since Nov. 7 at Nashville.
During their slump, the injury-riddled Blackhawks managed to stay close, but consistently allowed late goals to lose possible points.
``We got caught trying to create something offensively,'' Blackhawks coach Brian Sutter said. ``There's no magic formula. The other team on the ice had three lines that are as good as anyone has in hockey.''
Chicago, desperate for a win and desperate for offence without injured forwards Alex Zhamnov and Eric Daze, committed coverage mistakes that led to Kalinin's and Afinogenov's goals.
Kalinin, a defenceman, beat goalie Michael Leighton at 1:29 of the third with a high shot from the slot after pinching in from the left point. He was set up by a pass from Ales Kotalik.
Afinogenov stuffed in a loose rebound from the goal line with 7:47 left to make it 3-1.
``It was the type of game where we stayed patient,'' Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. ``We didn't give up a lot of opportunities against a team that was hurting.''
Buffalo's Mika Noronen stopped 22 shots. Leighton blocked 25.
The Blackhawks' No. 1 goalie, Jocelyn Thibault, is out until February because of a hip injury that required surgery. Thibault was in goal for Chicago's last victory.
``We knew they were wounded and they were going to play hard,'' Briere said. ``You know they're going to come out strong. The good thing is after you get that lead, it's mentally tough for them to come back in the game.''
The Blackhawks were 0-for-4 on the power play and have converted just one of 23 chances the last five games. The Sabres also were 0-for-3 on the power play,
After a scoreless first period, Briere opened the scoring at 10:53 of the second.
After picking up the puck at the Chicago blue line, Briere slipped past Berard and Nathan Dempsey to break in alone on Leighton. He stuffed a low shot past Leighton's outstretched left leg.
Berard tied it 1-1 just 2:06 later from the low edge of the right circle. After pinching in from the point, Berard one-timed Mikhail Yakubov's feed from behind the net past Noronen.
After Kalinin and Afinogenov gave Buffalo a 3-1 lead, McLean cut it to 3-2 with 1:59 remaining. He scored from the edge of the crease after taking a drop pass from Scott Nichol.
Notes: Chicago LW Eric Daze underwent successful surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back. Daze, who has played just three games this season, will be out another 10 weeks. It was his third operation for a herniated disc in four seasons. ... Blackhawks RW Steve Sullivan played after missing two games with a lower back strain. ... Chicago D Alexander Karpovtsev missed his third game with a sore ankle. ...... Buffalo D Andy Delmore was a healthy scratch. ... Sabres D Brian Campbell played after being scratched from the lineup in nine of 10 games.