NHL
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup
Video Highlights

  Thursday, Dec. 23 7:30pm ET
Sabres keep rolling behind Biron
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Although Martin Biron faced his boyhood hero Thursday night, the 21-year-old Buffalo Sabres goalie came through nicely.

Biron made 23 saves, including 10 in the third period, to beat Patrick Roy and the Colorado Avalanche, 2-1.

Martin Biron
Buffalo's Brian Holzinger and Colorado's Jeff Odgers tangle in front of Sabres goalie Martin Biron Thursday. Biron made 22 saves in winning his 13th game of the season.
Miroslav Satan and Geoff Sanderson scored within a 2:20 span in the second period for the Sabres, who are 4-1-2 in their last seven.

Biron was not intimidated by the idea of playing Roy for the first time in his 30-game career.

"It's not like a dream come true," said Biron, whose 14 career wins trail Roy by 410. "It's somebody I grew up watching and trying to focus on his style and put some things that he did in my style."

Biron might not have inspired any obvious comparisons to Roy on Thursday night, but the effort was good enough for Buffalo to win their second straight and drop Colorado's record this month to 5-5-1.

"Tonight was a great game, a solid effort. We didn't give them too much. They're a big-scoring team, but we worked harder to compensate for that," said Biron, who is 4-1-1 in his last six. "

"We ground the game out," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "It wasn't an easy game to play. We played probably one of our best defensive efforts along with creating some pretty good offense, too."

The Avalanche finished their four-game road trip 1-2-1.

"We played a good road game," Avalanche coach Bob Hartley said. "It was kind of like a chess game. (Allowing the first two goals) kind of put us behind the eight-ball."

Satan opened the scoring with 2:56 remaining in the second period. Michal Grosek passed from behind the net to Satan, who was just beside the goal, and Satan slipped the puck past Roy.

"I was surprised that I scored. I went for the outer post thinking why not have a shot, and it went in," Satan said.

"I didn't see what happened," Roy said. "I didn't think he was a threat (to shoot), so I expected a different move."

Sanderson scored with 36 seconds remaining in the period, netting his fifth of the year by tipping in Rhett Warrener's shot from the right point. Sanderson scored for the first time since October 29, and ended a career-long 19-game goal drought.

"It's exactly what I need, an ugly goal," Sanderson said. "It puts a jump in your step and helps me get some confidence back."

Adam Deadmarsh made it 2-1 when he picked up a loose puck in traffic in the right faceoff circle, and took a wrist shot that sailed over Biron's right shoulder.

 


ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard

Colorado Clubhouse

Buffalo Clubhouse


RECAPS
Montreal 3
Boston 3

Ottawa 4
Carolina 3

Buffalo 2
Colorado 1

NY Islanders 4
NY Rangers 2

Atlanta 4
Philadelphia 4

Pittsburgh 4
Tampa Bay 3

Toronto 4
New Jersey 1

St. Louis 2
Nashville 2

Chicago 5
Dallas 2

Calgary 2
Edmonton 1

AUDIO/VIDEO
video
 Miroslav Satan sneaks the puck past Patrick Roy.
avi: 614 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1

 Geoff Sanderson scores the second goal for Buffalo.
avi: 682 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1