The Buffalo News suggests he might start this weekend too...
By TIM GRAHAM
News Sports Reporter
3/14/2002
PHILADELPHIA - Mika Noronen knows his role will be different this time. The Buffalo Sabres recalled their promising goalie from the minors Wednesday, but he understands he won't be given the same consideration his last promotion offered.
Noronen flew with the Sabres to Philadelphia, where they will begin a three-game road trip tonight against the Flyers in the First Union Center. Noronen could get a start Friday against the Florida Panthers or Sunday against Tampa Bay.
But he certainly won't be given an open invitation to wrest the starting job from Martin Biron, who has been playing like an All-Star lately.
"Marty's been great," Noronen said. "That's not the reason I'm here. It's just that Marty might need some rest later on, and either me or (veteran backup Bob Essensa) is going to play."
This is Noronen's third stint of the season with Buffalo. He is 2-1-1 with a 2.63 goals-against average and .895 save percentage.
He was recalled twice in December to help settle the Sabres' goaltending woes. Biron was sputtering and wearing down through too much work, while Essensa was struggling partly because he played so little.
Noronen at that time seemed to be given a shot to win the job, and while he was effective on occasion he did not play decidedly better than Biron.
It was an easy choice to send Noronen, who has unlimited waiver options, back to Rochester, where he has gone 16-17-12 with a 2.50 GAA, .906 save percentage and three shutouts.
Buffalo's coaching staff has been closely monitoring Biron's workload to avoid overusing him again. He has started 18 straight games, including eight in the past two weeks. The Sabres' remaining 17 games will be played over 30 days.
"We're looking for signs of (fatigue)," Sabres associate coach Don Lever said. "Marty feels comfortable. He's not feeling tired.
"There were a few saves (in Tuesday night's 3-0 loss to the New York Islanders) where he bobbled the puck, and he hasn't been doing that. So are they signs? We don't know, but we just wanted another option."
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff missed Wednesday's team meeting and optional practice in HSBC Arena to attend his grandmother's funeral in the Edmonton area. He is expected to be behind the bench tonight.
The Sabres have placed defenseman Richard Smehlik on injured reserve. Smehlik already is eligible to be activated because the move was retroactive to March 1, the day he separated his shoulder against the Boston Bruins. With Smehlik on IR, the Sabres created roster room for Noronen.
Lever claimed the fisticuffs in the waning seconds of Tuesday's loss weren't frivolous. The Islanders return to HSBC Arena on April 3, and the Sabres - enforcers Rob Ray and Eric Boulton in particular - wanted to send a message.
"It was emotions," Lever said. "They had an uppity attitude to us, and they're coming back into this building for one more game. We just wanted to tell them we'll be ready for them next time."
