Thursday's Bruins...

[the mugs]

Morning boys...Going in for a minor shoulder surgery tomorrow. I don't do well with medication so I can't say for sure if I will get to do Saturday's game at the Panthers or Sunday's game at Tampa Bay...Like Joe Thornton, if I can give it a go I will be here

Here we go...

BOSTON BRUINS at
BUFFALO SABRES
Thursday, March 21, 2002
HSBC Arena; Buffalo, New York
7:30 pm (ET) - Gametime
7:00 pm (ET) - Bruins Digest
NESN
Tonight's Game
The Bruins visit the Sabres tonight in the fifth and final game between these teams this season and the second of two games of the season at HSBC Arena. The Bruins are 37-21-5-7 overall this season with a 15-12-4-3 record on the road. The Sabres are 29-30-9-1 overall this season with an 18-13-4-0 record on home ice. The Bruins are 8-8-1-1 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 26-15-2-5 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Sabres are 8-5-3-0 vs. Northeast Division opponents thus far this season and are 22-18-7-1 overall vs. Eastern Conference foes.

Lifetime Series
The Bruins are 92-81-29-1 lifetime vs. Buffalo with a 681-667 scoring edge in those 203 games. On the road, the Bruins are 35-50-15-1 lifetime vs. the Sabres with Buffalo holding a 370-302 scoring advantage in those 101 contests. The Bruins are 2-1-1-0 vs. the Sabres in this season's series thus far with a 3-1 win in Boston on Nov. 17, 4-2 win in Boston on Dec. 8, 2-2 tie in Boston on Feb. 5 and 4-3 loss in Buffalo on Mar. 1.

Recent Bruins Games
The Bruins have won five of their last six games with a 3-0 win at Atlanta on Mar. 8, a 3-2 victory over Calgary on Mar. 9, a 3-1 win at NY Rangers on Mar. 13, a 2-1 loss to Toronto on Mar. 14, a 2-1 victory over Detroit on Mar. 16 and 4-2 win over Phoenix on Mar. 19. They are now 5-5-1-0 in their last 11 games and are 11-6-2-0 in their last 19 contests overall.

The Bruins are 9-4-1-1 in their last 15 home games and are 17-7-1-2 in their last 27 home contests. They are 5-3-1-0 in their last nine road games and are 10-6-1-2 in their last 19 road contests.

Recent Sabres Games
The Sabres are 2-2-1-0 in their last five games with a 3-0 loss to NY Islanders on Mar. 12, 3-1 win in Philadelphia on Mar. 14, 5-2 loss in Florida on Mar. 15, 2-2 tie in Tampa Bay on Mar. 17 and 5-1 win over Ottawa on Mar. 19. They are 5-4-2-0 in their last 11 gams overall.

Upcoming Bruins Games
The Bruins continue their current four-game road trip in Florida on Mar. 23 (7:30 p.m., UPN38 & WBZ Radio), Tampa Bay on Mar. 24 (6:30 p.m.; UPN38 & WBZ Radio) and Carolina on Mar. 26 (7:00 p.m.; NESN & WBZ Radio). The Bruins will next return to the FleetCenter on Mar. 30 when they host Carolina (1:00 p.m.; UPN38 & WBZ Radio).

Upcoming Sabres Games
The Sabres next face a two-game road trip to Toronto on Mar. 23 and Ottawa on Mar. 24. They will return home to host Washington on Mar. 26.

Bruins Injuries
Jarno Kultanen: Knee injury; out indefinitely.
Joe Thornton: Shoulder injury; out indefinitely.
Total Man-Games Lost: 151

Bruins March Transactions
Mar. 1: Joe Thornton suspended by NHL for three games.
Mar. 5: Marty McInnis acquired from Anaheim for 2002 third round draft pick.
Mar. 5: Andy Hilbert returned to Providence/AHL.
Mar. 16: Chris Kelleher recalled from Providence/AHL and returned to Providence/AHL after the game.
Mar. 19: Sean Brown acquired from Edmonton for Bobby Allen.
Mar. 19: Jeff Norton acquired from Florida for 2002 sixth round draft pick.
Mar. 19: Darryl Laplante acquired from Minnesota for Greg Crozier and assigned to Providence/AHL.
Mar. 19: Benoit Hogue claimed on waivers by Washington.
Mar. 19: Gord Murphy assigned to Providence/AHL.

Sabres Injuries
Slava Kozlov: Achilles injury; out for season.
Richard Smehlik: Shoulder injury; 1-2 weeks.
Stu Barnes: Concussion; out indefinitely.
Rob Ray RW Ankle Day to Day

 

[the mugs]

Recent Trends
BOS is 2-5-1 ATS in the last eight meetings.
BOS is 5-1 ATS in their last six overall.
The under is 5-1 in the Bruins last six overall.
BUFF is 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine at home.
The under is 6-3 in the Sabres last nine overall.


The Bruins are 2-1-1 SU against Buffalo this year.

Recent Meetings
Date Home Away Line ATS
3/1/2002 Buf. 4 Bos. 3 0,-125/5 Buf./O
2/5/2002 Bos. 2 Buf. 2 0,-185/5 P/U
12/8/2001 Bos. 4 Buf. 2 0,-160/5 Bos./O
11/17/2001 Bos. 3 Buf. 1 0,-165/5 Bos./U

 

[the mugs]

Boston "D" Changes...and Glen Murray

Boston "D" Changes...and Glen Murray

They'll wait for their turn

Brown, Norton will need to fit in

WILMINGTON - Neither Sean Brown nor Jeff Norton were with the Bruins for practice yesterday and it appears that one of the team's newest acquisitions may have to sit out tonight's game in Buffalo against the Sabres.

Brown, a defenseman sent to the Bruins from Edmonton Tuesday for minor league defenseman Bobby Allen, played 61 games for the Oilers this season, notching six goals, four assists, and 127 penalty minutes.

Norton, a 36-year-old defenseman and Acton native acquired from Florida in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick, dressed in only 29 games this season for the Panthers, picking up four assists.

Center Darryl Laplante, the third player brought in by the Bruins Tuesday, was sent to Providence of the AHL. Laplante had 11 goals and six assists this season for Houston, the Minnesota Wild's top farm club.

Coach Robbie Ftorek isn't sure how Brown or Norton will be used.

''We've got six defensemen and we had a practice [yesterday], so we haven't had them in the lineup yet, so we'll see what happens.''

Ftorek wants to take the cautious approach before altering his lineup dramatically.

''It's just my opinion,'' he said. ''We've got guys who have been playing and playing well, and in bringing guys in, we have to see how they play, we have to teach them how we want them to play or we'd be making mistakes in games right away, so we have to work them in.

''We've got to move people in at the right time and the right way, to make sure they understand how we're playing. They may be playing a totally different way than we're playing, and you just don't come in and change from one to another. You've got to feel it, see it, talk about it, go out and practice it, and then go out and play it.''

With the Bruins atop the Eastern Conference with 86 points, Ftorek need not make panic decisions.

''We're a fairly good team, guys have been playing really well, so we'll see what's happening,'' Ftorek said. ''We'll talk to the players, see the systems they're playing, see how they're playing, and go from there. We're not in a real hurry.''

Brown, 25, is in his sixth NHL season after being drafted by Boston as its second pick, 21st overall, in the 1995 draft. The 6-foot-3-inch, 205-pound Brown is a physical presence, averaging 150 penalty minutes a season.

Norton is in his 15th NHL season, the Bruins being his eighth team since he was drafted by the Islanders as their third pick, 62d overall in 1984. After three seasons at the University of Michigan, he played five full seasons with the Islanders. He has also been with San Jose, St. Louis, Edmonton, Tampa Bay, Florida (twice), and Pittsburgh.

This season, the 6-2, 195-pound Norton missed five games in November with back spasms and was out from Dec. 14 to Feb. 27 with a sprained knee.

=====

Murphy retires

Defenseman Gord Murphy, assigned to Providence Tuesday to make way for the new acquisitions, has decided to retire rather than report to the minors. Murphy, who entered the league in 1988-89 with Philadelphia, played 15 games for the Bruins this season, assisting on a pair of goals. ''Now it has to do with numbers and things,'' Ftorek said. ''It just didn't work out for Murph, with our team having brought in other players.'' ...

=====

Glen Murray has 31 goals and 57 points, after scoring the Bruins' third goal in Tuesday's 4-2 win over Phoenix. ''It seems he either gets a goal or he hits the post,'' Ftorek said. ''He's a great goal scorer, has great patience, and if you have patience, you'll have the opportunity to score goals. When he plays in practice, he takes a shot, stops right in front of the net, and gets the rebound and another scoring opportunity.

 

[the mugs]

This is similiar to the last one but adds Nick Boynton's role...

Ftorek's in no rush

WILMINGTON - Displaying both loyalty and pragmatism, Bruins coach Robbie Ftorek does not intend to immediately insert both Sean Brown and Jeff Norton, the veteran defensemen acquired Tuesday, in the B's lineup.

Why not?

``Why?'' said Ftorek yesterday following practice at Ristuccia Arena. ``We've got six defensemen. We have guys who've been playing and playing well. We're bringing two guys in but we haven't had them in the lineup, we haven't had them in a practice yet. We've got to see how they can play and teach them how we want to play. We don't want them making mistakes right away.

``So we'll see what happens. When everything falls together, then we'll get them in the lineup. We'll work them in.''

Ftorek has proven to be a big believer in team chemistry.

``It's very important,'' he said. ``I mean, that's how you win. You've got to move people in at the right time and in the right way. Make sure they understand how we're trying to play, because they may be playing a totally different way than we're playing.

``You don't just walk in and change from one to the other. You've got to feel it, see it, hear about it, talk about it, go out and practice it and then go out and play it. We're not in a real hurry.''

Once the situation is sorted out, rookie Nick Boynton figures to be the odd-man out. Boynton has been a pleasant surprise, a plus-16 while playing nearly 18 minutes per game. But he could be a spare part with a top-six defense of Kyle McLaren, Hal Gill, Sean O'Donnell, Don Sweeney, Brown and Norton.

``Whatever happens, happens,'' said Boynton. ``I want to play, that's the bottom line. But it's my first year and I'm the least experienced guy. As long as I'm here, whether I'm in the lineup or not, I'm still part of the team. I've got to stay upbeat. The year so far has been great for me.''

=====

Murphy opts out

Veteran defenseman Gord Murphy, dropped to Providence after Tuesday's acquisitions, opted not to report to the AHL club and returned home to Atlanta.

Whether Murphy hopes to play again is not known, but Ftorek believes he still has something to offer.

``I don't know what he'll do in the future, that's his decision,'' said Ftorek. ``He came in and played 15 good games for us. He played really well. He helped us through a stretch, enabling us to be where we are now. Now it's just a situation of numbers and things.

``It's unfortunate, but that's part of the game. . . . I'm sure he would have liked to stay, but it didn't work out, not because of the way he played, but because we brought in some other people.''

 

[the mugs]

Bruins hit the road

WILMINGTON - Having claimed first place in the Eastern Conference with Tuesday's shaky victory over Phoenix, the Bruins now face the difficult task of hanging on to the top spot.

It won't be easy, especially with the B's now hitting the road for four games, starting with tonight's match in Buffalo against the desperate Sabres and continuing with visits to Sunrise, Fla., Tampa, Fla., and Raleigh, N.C.

On the other hand, for at least two reasons, the trip is well-timed. First, the Bruins are at their best playing the sort of simple, hard-working style teams usually produce playing in enemy rinks. Secondly, a week on the road will give the newly acquired Sean Brown and Jeff Norton the chance to settle in with their new team.

``I think it's a real positive thing that we're going on the road,'' said B's swingman Jamie Rivers. ``We acquired a couple of new guys and they're going to get the chance to jump in and mold with the team without the pressures of playing at home right away, and maybe trying to step in and do miraculous things right off the bat.

``Jeff Norton is a veteran and (is) probably used to this sort of situation. But a young guy like Brown would maybe try to step up and make a really big first impression. I think it's good we go on the road and get things sorted out.''

Of course, if the B's hope to come home next week still owning the No. 1 slot in the East - and the three rounds of home-ice advantage it would earn - they'll have to make this a successful swing. The B's have a decent road record (15-12-4-3) and would love to nail down at least five points (out of a possible eight) on this trip.

``We've got huge games,'' said Rivers. ``A big divisional game against Buffalo, then two games in Florida (against the Panthers and Lightning) that we've got to win, then we finish with Carolina, which I feel we kind of owe a little something to. Not necessarily physically, but on the scoreboard. The physical stuff will sort itself out. But we play those guys twice and obviously it's going to be a heated rivalry.''

It's a story for next week, but keep in mind that the last time the B's and Hurricanes played was probably the ugliest game of the season, a 6-2 loss in which Hurricanes defenseman Sean Hill nearly injured Sergei Samsonov with a leg-on-leg hit, a play that sparked the melee in which Bruins center Joe Thornton earned a three-game suspension.

The Bruins, however, don't anticipate any trouble.

``I don't think so,'' said B's goalie Byron Dafoe. ``They've got their race going on, we've got our race going on. There's no time at this point in the season for paybacks. We're getting ready for the playoffs. The last thing we need is a suspension or an injury or what have you.''

But the B's have prospered because of their ability to focus on one game at a time. Always tough on the B's, tonight's opponent, the Sabres, clobbered Ottawa, 5-1, on Tuesday. Buffalo, currently ninth in the East, will be hungry for two points as the Sabres try to rally for the conference's eighth and final playoff spot.

``It's a big trip for us,'' said Dafoe. ``We're playing some desperate teams, especially Buffalo and Carolina.''

 

[the mugs]

From the Sabres website...

From the Sabres website...

Sabres Acquire Bob Corkum From Atlanta
Mar. 19, 2002-- Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today the team has acquired center Bob Corkum from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ROSTER UPDATES:
Mar. 19, 2002-- The Buffalo Sabres General Manager, Darcy Regier, called up Ales Kotalik from the Rochester Americans. Kotalik has played 68 game with Rochester and recorded 18 goals and 25 assist for 43 points. While up in Buffalo, earlier this year, he played in three games and recorded an assist on the game winning goal against the Florida Panthers on November 12th.

Mar. 18, 2002-- Over the weekend, Coach Lindy Ruff made it official, goalie Mika Noronen will stay with the team for the remainder of the season. The goaltender was recalled from the Rochester Americans (AHL) on March 13th. Noronen currently is posting a 3-1-1 record and .909 save percentage. In 45 games with the Amerks, he has a record of 16-17-12 with a 2.50 G.A.A, .906 save % and three shutouts.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stu Barnes Knocked Out of Lineup
Buffalo Sabres Captain, Stu Barnes, suffered a concussion and laceration to his forehead in Sunday's (March 17th) game at Tampa Bay. Lightning defenseman Jassen Cullimore checked Barnes behind the Tampa net, 90 seconds in to the game. Barnes appeared to be unconscious before falling and strinking his head on the ice. He had a CAT Scan Sunday night in Tampa and is out of the line-up indefinitely.

 

[the mugs]

Again, from the "bad guys"...

Again, from the "bad guys"...

Last night against the Ottawa Senators the Buffalo Sabres stuck with their game plan, did everything right, finished off their scoring chances, and defeated the Senators 5 - 1. Goaltender Martin Biron turned in a clutch and spectacular performance. Biron stopped 33 of 34 Ottawa shots and earned first star. Five different Buffalo players scored goals. The Sabres looked confident and played with purpose. The win pulled Buffalo into a ninth placed tie with the New York Rangers, who lost at home to Vancouver, and to within two points of eighth place Montreal.

Last night goaltending was the difference. Martin Biron made the huge saves for Buffalo at the right time and Ottawa goaltender Patrick LaLime did not.

Chris Gratton, the subject of many recent trade rumors, played another superb game chipping in a goal and two assists.

"I was relived that I am still in Buffalo," said Gratton. "Of course it bothers you when your name is out there and mentioned in the rumors but I wanted to stay and I?m fortunate and happy I was able to stay."

And the Sabres are too.

"We were reluctant to move Chris," said Lindy Ruff. "He can be a large part of this team and especially the way he has been playing lately and then with the injury to Barnes? I knew it was to be one heckuva deal for us to trade him because of the way he was playing."

If the Sabres are going to make the playoffs it will be because of players like Gratton and Satan and Biron but others must make an impact and last night they did.

Brian Campbell had a terrific game.

Ales Kotalik, recalled from Rochester, was very impressive. Ales assisted on the first Buffalo goal and then scored the fifth Sabre goal?his first in the NHL.

Rhett Warrener and Jay McKee found their game again last night after struggling on the recent three game road trip.

Dimitri Kailin had another huge game.

Denis Hamel, playing his first game in seven, played well.

If the Sabres are going to grab that eighth spot in the Eastern Conference these above-mentioned players must not falter.

And the goaltending must be like it was last night against Ottawa.

"If we?re going to get there we must have fabulous goaltending," said Lindy Ruff after the game. "Tonight Marty gave us fabulous goaltending. He made many huge saves. I thought he made a couple saves on deflections that were outright great."

Marty needed to be terrific against the highest scoring team in the Eastern Conference. The Sabres defeated the Senators for the third time in four games and for the third time this year at the HSBC Arena.

Brian Campbell scored first. The goal resulted from a strong play deep in the Ottawa zone. Ales Kotalik out-positioned Chris Herperger behind the net. Tim Connolly chipped the puck back to Campbell and Brian?s long shot caught just inside the left goal post.

It was an important goal because Ottawa outplayed the Sabres in the period but Marty Biron stopped all 12 Ottawa shots.

In the second period Buffalo took a 2 ? 0 lead when Chris Gratton scored. Dimitri Kalinin played a major role moving in from the point and passing to Gratton in the slot. Chris out-positioned Wade Redden and slapped a quick shot past LaLime.

The Sabres put the Senators away when Curtis Brown scored shorthanded with just twenty-two seconds remaining in the second period. Vacalv Varada created a two-on-one, blasted a slap shot that LaLime stopped, but Brown tapped the loose puck into an empty net.

In the third Ottawa?s Daniel Alfredsson scored on the power play but Miroslav Satan quickly answered that goal and Kotalik scored late in the period after a terrific play by Chris Gratton putting a big exclamation mark on the Buffalo victory.

"It was a great play by Chris Gratton," said Kotalik. "It was an easy play because I just had to put the puck in the empty net. It was my dream from the first time I played hockey to score a goal in the NHL. Now it?s happened. I can give thanks to Chris Gratton for that. It was a dream come true."

Before the trade deadline Buffalo acquired Bob Corkum from the Atlanta Thrashers for a fifth round draft pick. Corkum is a veteran, excellent face-off man, and a fine penalty killer. His presence will fill some of the defensive void created by the injury to Stu Barnes.

Buffalo? next game is Thursday against the Boston Bruins at the HSBC Arena.

Have a great day! (AND GO BRUINS!!! )

"From The Broadcast Booth," this is Jim Lorentz signing off. DOH!

 

[thunderdoll]

Good Luck with your surgery. I will miss your Bruins Report.

Get Well.

 

[Rakman]

Good luck with your surgery.

 

[fatdaddycool]

Hey Mugs,

Hey Mugs,

What are you having done? I just had two surgeries on my right shoulder, scoped it in November, and then just cut it Friday for the Bicipital Tendon tendonesis procedure, its not that bad. Is it outpatient? Good luck with it Bro. It really isn't that bad once they give you the morphine and demerol