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. G - Dominik Hasek, Steve Shields.

injuries: Brad May, lw (torn mcl, 4 weeks, on IR 12/30/97), Mike Wilson, d (mild concussion, day-to-day).

transactions: Recalled Jay McKee, d, from Rochester (AHL).

standings:

Eastern Conference - Northeast Division
Team         GP   W   L   T   PTS   GF   GA    
Montreal     46  24  16   6    54  136  109  
Pittsburgh   45  23  14   8    54  125  104  
Boston       44  20  16   8    48  111  106  
Ottawa       46  19  20   7    45  111  111  
Carolina     46  17  23   6    40  116  129  
Buffalo      43  15  20   8    38  101  114  

game results:

12/15 at Dallas    L 8-4
12/17 at NY Isles  L 4-0
12/19 Montreal     W 1-0
12/21 at Rangers   W 2-0
12/23 Detroit      L 3-1
12/26 Rangers      W 3-0
12/27 at Carolina  L 4-1
12/29 New Jersey   L 3-1
12/31 Ottawa       W 3-0
01/02 Colorado     T 2-2
01/07 at Anaheim   W 3-2
01/08 at LA        T 2-2
01/10 at San Jose  L 5-2

team news:

by Joe Brunner, Buffalo Correspondent

That runaway bobsled to hell known as the Buffalo Sabres continues to lurk just beneath the final playoff spot. Although I'm pessimistic by nature, the Sabres could reverse their fortunes with a good run after the All-Star break, as we witnessed Ottawa do last season. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Quite possibly, but more likely it's an oncoming train.

Of course with the Dominator between the pipes anything is possible. Last issue, if you can find it, I wrote about Dom earning player of the week. Now he has even topped himself by winning player of the month. During December, Dom racked up six shutouts, a number equaled only by the legendary George Hainesworth in 1928-29. The modern day record of five shutouts in a month was shared by Jim Carey (3/96) and Tony Esposito (2/74). During December, Hasek started 14 games and finished with a 7-5-1 record, 1.55 gaa, and .949 SA. Not bad stats for a guy that looks like a concentration camp survivor. If only the Sabres could figure out a way to score more than two goals a game.

The only other Sabre that's really distinguished himself lately is Mike Peca. Peca tallied two short-handed against the Sens and assisted on Dixon Ward's short-handed goal versus the Kings. It appears that Peca is all the way back after his long holdout and will make another run at the Selke Trophy. Peca is also a plus or even in at least six consecutive games. I never did get the boxscore for that darn Carolina game so his streak could be much longer.

The biggest flaw I see in this year's Sabres is that they lack strength down the middle. Sammy Pollack once said that you had to have that to win, and the Sabres don't. Other than Hasek and Peca, the play of the other guys down the middle has been dreadful. Brian Holzinger is having an awful year after showing so much promise the season before, and Derek Plante has been inconsistent at best. Curtis Brown has shown some promise at center, but it's a bit much to expect a big contribution from a rookie. Hasek's slow start to begin the season, Peca's holdout, and the poor play of Holzinger and Plante pretty much explain why the Sabres are where they are in the standings.

On the injury front, Brad May is injured again. That should come as no surprise to anyone that has followed May's career. Mike Wilson suffered a mild concussion in the King's game. Reportedly he was examined by the Mayo Clinic and his IQ is actually increasing. The Sabre's trainers are now giving Wilson daily blows to the head in the hopes of increasing his intelligence. If it works they may try the same therapy on Richard Smehlik. Sorry, Mike, I know that was in poor taste. Just to set the record straight, Mike Wilson remains as dumb as ever.

The big news coming out of MMA is that John Rigas has signed a letter of intent to purchase the team. Rigas is the primary stockholder in Adelphia Communications, the nations 7th largest cable TV service. Having an owner with deep pockets will provide a huge boost to the Sabres, though I did notice he had rather short arms. Anyone that's ever watched reruns of the old Ben Casey series will notice that Rigas bears a striking resemblance to Dr.Zorba. Dr.Zorba was a kind, caring, intelligent physician. That leads me to conclude that Rigas will be a great owner.

The sale may be approved at the next NHL Board of Governors meeting January 17-18. The rumors are flying that Rigas will move to bring back Ted Nolan as coach. After doing thousands of interviews, checking credit card records, and setting up wiretaps, this reporter is going on record as saying that Nolan will be back behind the Sabres bench next season.

GM Darcy Regier, known as Niles Crane by Sabres fans, is scheduled to speak to the booster club today. Members of the media aren't invited, so I took the liberty of giving a few key questions to a booster club member. Regier's answers will paint a telling picture. I hope to be able to have them next issue. Here are the questions that hopefully will be posed to Niles:

1) It was rumored that when Mike Wilson suffered a concussion, you called the Rangers and offered to trade him for a set of steak knives. Larry Quinn then stepped in and demanded a turkey baster as well. Any comments?

2) Studies have shown that there is a high incidence of cancer in golfers. It has been linked to pesticides and other chemicals used on the golf course. There appears to be a high incidence of hair loss in hockey players. Could there be chemicals leeching from the cooling systems used to make ice? Will you ask the NHL to investigate, or will you go along with the coverup?

3) It was rumored that your original choice as head coach was Martin Mull, and when he declined you decided to hire someone that looked just like him, comments?

4) Are those your real teeth?

5) The speculation is that Larry Quinn will get the axe when the sale to Rigas is formally approved. Should that occur, have you been making arrangements to find another hole to stick your head in?

It's critical that the fans have answers to these questions. Hopefully we will have them next issue.

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