'Desperate team wins game'

Lindy Ruff said he wanted to see that headline, so there it is. The Sabres certainly were desperate, and they certainly did win.

Now they've got to do it about 10 more times. Friday's 7-1 trouncing of Carolina lifted the spirits of a struggling hockey team and its fans. But in order for the party to continue, they have to mimic that effort Saturday when they visit Toronto.

"We'll try not to celebrate this much longer than it takes to eat dinner, get on the bus and go," goaltender Ryan Miller said. "It's back to work. We have to make up ground. These small victories need to add up."

As bad as things have been lately -- the four-game winless streak, the one win in seven games, the injuries to the defense -- the Sabres can move into a tie for eighth place Saturday (though Philadelphia would have a game in hand).

Many were doubting whether another visit to a postseason spot could happen.

"It can happen," Miller said. "It's just a matter of us putting together solid hockey games."

All they need are more four-line efforts (the lines of Derek Roy and Adam Mair were great) and consistent defense (combined plus-8 for Mike Weber and Andrej Sekera). It sounds so easy, now we get to see if they can do it.

"It's the way we want to work every game," right wing Steve Bernier said. "We have a very good team. We were on the puck. We were driving the net. It's all the little details that make a good team or a great team. The last couple games we didn't do that, we didn't do those little details. Tonight, everybody came together."

---John Vogl

Comments

[Tim]

Chris in RI: While I agree with you on MANY of your points, I believe I will crush your dreams by revealing to you that Golisano CANNOT fire Quinn. Larry Quinn is an owner of the team and cannot be fired. He's managing partner...His problem is that he takes that title to a new high in terms of owners being involved. What once was great innovation has back fired and now represents the cancer of the organization.

[W]

This is exactly what we should expect of the second youngest team in the conference. There are always ups and downs with young teams, it goes with the territory. Will they win the Cup? No, I sincerely doubt it. Will they make the playoffs? Maybe, I hope so, but if they do, they could do some damage if they are hot when it happens. Do I blame anyone for this team? Not really.

[Dave]

They are almost out of Amerks! Buffalo has the fewest pro players actually under contract among all NHL teams. Let the NCAA develop 'em!

[Tex]

The sad thing - this team I believe turned a corner last night. It's not always how much skill you have, or how fast you can skate, or check - but actually WANTING TO WIN - is what makes champions.

Although these guys won't make the playoffs - it should be enough to build on next year. Bring up more Amerks - that seems to work just great.

[Chris in RI]

Glad we get to enjoy a game every 10 or so. Please remember who is running this team though. Lady Quinn will disappoint again soon. I'm being a realist; not a pessimist. Until Golisano fires Quinn, we will be teased. If you believe the future could hold promise because of the "young talent" then answer this question: In the coming years who on the current roster will leave and who will stay? History tells us the true upcoming stars will leave and garbage will stay. What happened to the scouting department? Quinn is another version of Donahoe, but she pretends to be a little more stylish. Quinn thinks so much of Quinn that they try to change the entire NHL (weird goals, blue ice, etc) to make things easier on their players. How about focusing on getting players with heart and toughness and KEEPING them? Detroit, is the model to emulate; then maybe Anaheim & San Jose. Players like Grier & Drury recognize how Quinn miss manages things and they bolted.
By the way, to lend some credibility to these comments, I know the banker in Boston (Fleet Bank at the time) that dealt with Quinn and Bettman during the Sabres' bankruptcy. The people at Fleet were not impressed with either of them. In fact they kept joking they had to wash their hands after every meeting and check for their wallets and watches. Sabres fans; keep your hands on your wallets.