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Miroslav Satan finally gave up. He had the No. 18 stripped off his back before the Sabres played the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday night and reverted to 81, the number that had treated him so well in the past.
Miroslav Satan was lighter on his skates Friday. The gleam was back in his eye. If the Buffalo Sabres hadn't had an afternoon flight to New Jersey he might still be on the practice rink, honing his shot in anticipation of the passes he's certain Doug Gilmour is about to feather onto his blade.
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to salvage something from a season which to date can only be termed a major disappointment.
Miroslav Satan knew much of the burden eventually would fall on him. He's the Sabres' top scorer and their first offensive option. He's an NHL All-Star and served Buffalo as a quiet, reliable leader on the ice during many troubling moments this season.
Miroslav Satan almost personally ended the Buffalo Sabres' losing streak at three games Saturday night.
The name inspires smart remarks and dumb looks. It happens every time Miroslav Satan puts his credit card on the table.
Dominik Hasek wasn't the only Sabre who made a successful return to the Buffalo lineup last night.
Miroslav Satan for Barrie Moore and Craig Millar. Now there's a trade you don't file under Glen Sather, GM genius.
By BOB DICESARE
News Sports Reporter
11/24/00
Miroslav Satan finally gave up. He had the No. 18 stripped off his back before the Sabres played the Philadelphia Flyers Wednesday night and reverted to 81, the number that had treated him so well in the past.
"It seemed like nobody liked 18, so I switched it back to 81," Satan said.
Nobody liked it?
"Nobody liked it," Satan said. "Everybody made me feel bad about it. So I had to switch back to 81."
Eighteen was, for a few seasons, one of the more fashionable numbers to find on the back of a Sabres' fan. Danny Gare popularized it during the mid-to-late 1970s with his enthusiastic style of play and his ability to find the net with regularity. When Gare was traded to the Detroit Red Wings, it was as if a curse was set upon the jersey he once wore.
Gilles Hamel was the first heir to the number. He was followed by Paul Cyr, Bob Halkidis, Dave Snuggerud, Wayne Presley and Michal Grosek. It's a group that, with the exception of the gritty Presley, comprises the Underachievers Club. Grosek's departure opened the way for Satan to seize 18, the number he wore in Edmonton, at the start of this season. He's been bucking for a UC membership card ever since.
Buffalo's most dangerous forward hasn't scored a goal in eight games going into tonight's game against the visiting New York Rangers (7, Empire, Radio 107.7). He has four goals on the season. He needs to rediscover his touch in a hurry if he's to challenge last year's total of 33, let alone the career-high 40 he netted two seasons ago.
Satan twice was positioned to score crucial goals in the 3-1 loss to the Flyers. A slick move set him free in the Philly zone midway thought the second period but the puck flipped as he let go a backhander that was easily stopped. Philly led, 1-0, at the time.
"I was planning on shooting it upstairs and because of the (rough) ice I wasn't able to do it," Satan said. "That's why I rolled my eyes. How can it happen at the last second?"
"You can count on your hand how many times Miro's missed on a breakaway," coach Lindy Ruff said. "You're usually chalking it up."
The Flyers were ahead, 2-0, in the final seconds of the period when Curtis Brown produced a turnover and sent Satan in alone. Philly netminder Roman Cechmanek made a sharp pad save.
"I definitely had some chances," Satan said. "Right now it's tough to put it in. I'm doing everything possible. I know I'm going to break out of it. Sooner or later, it's going to happen."
Ruff has tried an assortment of things to get Satan going. For a while he put him back on a line with Doug Gilmour, whose creativity would seem to lend itself to Satan's sniping abilities. They failed to click.
Wednesday Ruff had him playing with Stu Barnes and J.P. Dumont, two of Buffalo's more productive forwards this season. Satan responded with four shots, his highest total in 11 games, as Ruff played him a season-high 24 minutes, 17 seconds.
"He's worked a little harder," Ruff said. "He got a few chances and there's wasn't a lot of chances in the game, so if he got one or two, he played a helluva game."
Ruff's also been telling Satan he has to get himself more involved. Too often he's been taking his game to the perimeter instead of lurking around the net or positioning himself to follow up on rebounds.
"We're trying to find a resolution to the problem," Satan said. "What is wrong? What is it I'm not doing? It was a helpful conversation. When you look at my numbers, you see that I'm not helping the team offensively as I used to."
Goodbye 18. Hello again, 81. Satan, his fingers crossed, hopes the change counts for something.
By BOB DICESARE
News Sports Reporter
11/11/00
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J - Miroslav Satan was lighter on his skates Friday. The gleam was back in his eye. If the Buffalo Sabres hadn't had an afternoon flight to New Jersey he might still be on the practice rink, honing his shot in anticipation of the passes he's certain Doug Gilmour is about to feather onto his blade.
Satan was granted the wish he's requested for close to a month when coach Lindy Ruff but him back on a line with Gilmour, the Sabre Satan believes best fits his skills.
"It's a dream of every goal scorer," Satan said. "Every time you have out there a skill player, he can hang onto the puck for an extra half-second or second. That gives you a chance to get open. Then when he's got great passing abilities like Dougie has, he can find you with the puck and you can just get ready for a shot."
Satan and Gilmour will be the wingers on a line centered by Curtis Brown tonight when the Sabres face the Stanley Cup-champion Devils at Continental Airlines Arena (7:30, Empire, Radio 107.7). Chris Gratton, who had been centering for Gilmour and Maxim Afinogenov, worked Friday between Afinogenov and Vaclav Varada.
"I think the one thing I've shown is quite a bit of patience with the lines we've had," Ruff said. "That wasn't typical in years past. I think if you look at the amount of even-strength goals we've been scoring, especially on the road, we've got to increase that. If it went really well in New Jersey we might just carry it over when we come back home because you might find something you like."
Memories of last year's late-season game in New Jersey were the mother of Ruff's invention. The line of Brown, Gilmour and Satan produced two goals in a 5-0 victory vital to Buffalo's drive to a playoff berth.
"So we'll put them back together," Ruff said. "If that gets Miro going we'll keep fiddling a little bit until we get everybody going."
Satan has four goals, tying him for the team lead, but his presence in games has been fleeting. His performance is reliant upon the timely, pinpoint passes arriving once he finds seams in opposing defenses. He hasn't seen many of them since he was separated from Gilmour earlier in the season and placed on a line with Brown and a left-wing du jour.
"I wasn't frustrated but certainly I love to play with him," Satan said. "When I wasn't I was thinking maybe the coaching staff sees something I don't see and maybe they have a reason why they're doing that. I was trying to do best I could with the line we had and now we're going back to that line and I'm excited."
"The one thing about Miro is he's got real quick hands," Ruff said. "If you find him there's a good chance he's going to score. Those opportunities where Doug gets set up behind the net, Miro is pretty good at finding the right spot to be."
The move could also provide a spark for Gilmour, who has one point, an assist, during the last four games.
"Anytime you change lines you get some newfound enthusiasm and I think we might get something like that (tonight)," Ruff said.
The new line combinations are, to some extent, geared toward matching up with the Devils. Brown gives the top line a calming defensive presence. The other lines each feature a player capable of playing physical: Gratton and Varada on the second line, Erik Rasmussen on a unit that includes Dave Andreychuk and J.P. Dumont, and Rob Ray and Denis Hamel on a fourth line with either Vladimir Tsyplakov or Eric Boulton. Stu Barnes continues to nurse a groin injury.
"We've had problems in that building," Ruff said. "I know we won our last game in there but I know we've had problems in the past generating chances. If we use a little bit more size, spread the size around a little bit, get Varada on one line and Rasmussen on another, and maybe Hamel on another line and we have good size and can outwork some people down low we're going to see what it looks like. Hopefully that will lead to more chances and more goals for us."
by Dave Reichert
NHL Correspondent
03/20/2000
The Buffalo Sabres are looking to salvage something from a season which to date can only be termed a major disappointment.
After reaching the Stanley Cup finals in June, Buffalo has struggled throughout the 1999-2000 season, so much so that defending Eastern Conference Champions find themselves in jeopardy of missing the postseason tournament that will begin in three weeks time.
Since last summer, when Buffalo fell two wins shy of securing of obtaining hockey's ultimate prize, the Sabres' brass has been searching for a premier playmaking center who can help the club's top wingers achieve they're maximum potential.
On 10 March 2000 Buffalo General Manager Darcy Regier secured the services of future hall of fame center Doug Gilmour. The Sabres coaching staff is hoping that the acquisition of Gilmour will help to ignite the team's top offensive we open Miroslav Satan.
While Satan has notched 29 goals this season and is once again leading the Sabres in that department, Satan is in the midst of a prolonged slump. The talented native of Topolcany, Czechoslovakia, has not registered a goal since a contest on 21 February, against New Jersey. Satan's scoreless drought has now reached 12 games.
There is no doubt that Buffalo will need Satan to regain the form that saw him collect 40 goals a season ago, if his team is to rally for a playoff berth.
"I know have to do whatever I can to help the team reach the playoffs," Satan told the EuroReport recently. "Pucks have not been going in for me lately, so I know I have to look to contribute in other ways. I have to setup my teammates for scoring chances, and continue to work hard."
Upon his arrival in Buffalo, the versatile Gilmour was placed in the left wing position, on a forward line with Satan and center Curtis Brown. Brown has seen a great deal of time with Satan over the past three seasons, and it is hoped that Gilmour can be the missing ingredient that will help Satan regain his touch.
"We need Miro to pick up his game," explained Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff. "We're hoping that Gilmour's skill and playmaking abilities will help to create more opportunities for Satan. There is no question that we need Miro at the top of his game if we're going to make a run toward the playoffs."
Satan does not seem preoccupied with lack of production in recent games, rather he seems excited about the challenges ahead in the final games of the season, and the prospect of playing with a future Hall of Fame forward.
"There is no question that we have to get every point we can to make the playoffs," explained Satan. "I'm excited about playing on a line with Doug and Curtis, and as a team we know what we have to do and that there isn't much time left to do it.
"We have more offensive ability on the team now and there are many players on the team who can score. But I also know that when the team is looking for goals, they will look to the leading scorer to produce. I know I have to do it, and that's part of the responsibility that comes with being a 40 goal scorer in this league."
By BUCKY GLEASON
News Sports Reporter
3/10/00
Miroslav Satan knew much of the burden eventually would fall on him. He's the Sabres' top scorer and their first offensive option. He's an NHL All-Star and served Buffalo as a quiet, reliable leader on the ice during many troubling moments this season.
It was no surprise earlier this week, after captain Michael Peca dislocated his shoulder, that Sabres coach Lindy Ruff asked Satan to carry a bigger load on his shoulders. Ruff had the "A" sewn on Satan's sweater, officially making the winger an alternate captain and holding him more accountable in the absence of their leader.
"I do feel more responsibility," Satan said Thursday after practice in the Pepsi Center. "I feel in the tough times like this, there are more expectations. People expect more from me. I'm going to do everything I can to fulfill those expectations."
Ruff is expecting more from everyone over the final 14 games of the regular season, starting with tonight's contest against the Montreal Canadiens in Marine Midland Arena (7, Empire, 104.1 FM). Buffalo will be without defenseman Alexei Zhitnik, who suffered a broken ring finger and had problems holding his stick Thursday. Defenseman Rhett Warrener (groin) and winger Geoff Sanderson (knee) also are out.
The Sabres were two points behind Montreal (68 points) for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with Pittsburgh (also at 68 points) losing to Ottawa, 7-0, Thursday night and the New York Rangers (69 points) losing at Los Angeles, 3-1. The Sabres play the Habs three times in the next 10 games.
"You either bury yourself or you jump up the ladder," Ruff said. "If you lose the games against the teams around us, you can kiss goodbye a lot of things. It's tough to catch up. It's easy to go past people when you're playing them and beating them head-to-head. When you start losing to them and you don't play them again, it's tough to make up ground."
Obviously, the Sabres need more production from their top players if they want to slip into the playoffs. Satan and center Curtis Brown, both of whom helped carry the team through the first half of the season, are slumping at the worst possible time. Satan had 27 goals in his first 53 games, but he has two in his last 14. Brown had 11 goals in his first 32 games, but he has three in his last 28 and was almost invisible Wednesday night against Boston.
"I'm going through a tough time right now," Brown said. "I'm not going to get discouraged. I can't expect everyone to be happy with the way I've been playing. If it were up to me, I'd score four goals a night. I'm going to work my way through it. That's what you have to do."
Of course, there are others. Michal Grosek has three goals over his last 31 games. Dixon Ward has two goals in 22 games. Rookie Maxim Afinogenov has two goals in his last 25 games. Jay McKee has a plus-minus rating of plus-7 when Warrener, his defense partner, is in the lineup. He is minus-10 without Warrener.
Satan has been handcuffed by opposing defenses leaning his way at every opportunity. Of Satan's two goals in 14 games, one came on the power play and the other went into an empty net. He hasn't scored in a five-on-five situation in more than a month. He has not scored twice in a game since Jan. 8.
There also have been signs he's melting under the pressure. He missed the net on a penalty shot against the New York Islanders. He fanned during a three-on-two break against the Bruins. His current drought is seven games, his longest this season, leaving him as stumped as anyone.
"I'm trying to figure it out myself. I really don't know," he said. "I try to prepare like always. I'm shooting everything I can, but so many shots are getting blocked. I haven't had too many clear scoring chances. There isn't much room to do anything."
Brown has not been at the top of his game for two months. He has one goal in his last 17 games. He missed five games and lost about 10 pounds while fighting the flu last month, and he was still showing signs of illness against the Bruins.
Brown, voted the NHL's top defensive forward by The Hockey News and Sports Illustrated at midseason, can expect a bigger defensive role for the next month. He, Satan and Grosek will be reunited on a line tonight.
By BUDD BAILEY
News Sports Reporter
1/9/00
KANATA, Ont. - Miroslav Satan almost personally ended the Buffalo Sabres' losing streak at three games Saturday night.
Satan had the best offensive game of his career, and recorded the top point total of any Sabre this season, in his team's 7-4 romp in the Corel Centre. Satan had three goals and two assists for five points.
The Buffalo winger never had totaled more than four points in a game. His third career hat trick was the first by a Sabre this season. For the week, Satan had five goals and six assists for 11 points in four games, which ought to earn him strong consideration for NHL player of the week honors.
It almost seemed like everything Satan touched went into the net. He even helped the Senators score a goal, as he deflected a shot from the point by Ottawa defenseman Patrick Traverse that beat Buffalo goalie Martin Biron.
"I don't know what's been happening lately," Satan said. "I've been trying as hard as I can, the puck's just going in now."
Satan did get offensive support from several sources. Curtis Brown had a goal and two assists, Jason Woolley had three assists, and Stu Barnes, Michal Grosek and Erik Rasmussen also scored. Buffalo finished with 25 shots on Ottawa goalies Ron Tugnutt and Patrick Lalime.
"It was just one of those nights," Satan said. "Most of the things we did ended up in the net. I'd like to see more games like that. That's unrealistic but I'm thankful for this one."
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff sees a pattern since the calendar changed.
"If you look at us in the new year, we've done a better job of taking advantage of our opportunities," said Ruff. "Why are they going in now? Who knows, but we played well offensively. Every line contributed."
Ottawa traded goals with the Sabres for a while but couldn't keep up with Satan and his playmates. The Senators' other goals were scored by Vaclav Prospal (two), Daniel Alfredsson and Shaun Van Allen. Ottawa had 23 shots.
It was Buffalo's first regular season win in the Corel Centre since March 1, 1997. The Sabres had been 0-4-4 in their last eight trips here. However, the Sabres are 4-1 in playoff games there since then. The combined total of 11 goals came as a bit of a surprise, considering games between the two teams often are low scoring. They played a scoreless tie on Dec. 8.
After finishing five games in eight nights, the Sabres have four days off. They will play the Bruins in Boston on Thursday night.
The Sabres hadn't scored a goal against the Senators in two previous games in the regular season. Rasmussen set out to change that in his first shift, which came about a minute into play. He took off on a breakaway but couldn't beat Tugnutt. Buffalo received a power play in the following two minutes because of a minor penalty to Prospal, but didn't really come close to capitalizing.
It took more than half the period for the Sabres to solve Ottawa's defense. A perfect pass by Jason Woolley sent Satan in alone. The winger went to his patented breakaway move, a quick switch from forehand to backhand that usually leaves goaltenders grasping at air. It was no different this time; Satan's 20th came at 13:46.
However, the lead lasted only two minutes and two seconds. Shawn McEachern led an Ottawa rush into the Buffalo zone. He maintained possession along the boards until he was behind the goal line, where he spotted Prospal following on the left side. McEachern's pass was perfect for a one-timer, and Prospal zipped a shot past Biron. Alfredsson also assisted on Prospal's ninth.
By Buffalo-Ottawa standards, the goals came at a fast and furious pace in the second period. Grosek took out an Ottawa defenseman at his own blue line, and then skated up ice to create a two-on-one break. Satan's pass gave the winger an open shot, and Grosek put the puck neatly into the top corner. Grosek's ninth was also assisted by Alexei Zhitnik and came at 1:20.
The Senators missed a great chance to tie the game at 7:12, when Alfredsson was awarded a penalty shot. He came straight in on Biron, who gave the Ottawa captain little shooting space. Alfredsson's shot bounced harmlessly off the Buffalo goalie's pads. It was the first time in Sabre history that the team had allowed penalty shots in consecutive games; New Jersey had one on Thursday night.
Biron only delayed the arrival of Ottawa's second goal by 1:13. Alfredsson cross-ice pass was deflected by Buffalo's Vaclav Varada and floated in the air past everyone, including Biron, and into the net. Alfredsson's sixth was unassisted.
Satan put Buffalo back in front at 11:13. His low shot went through the pads of Tugnutt and into the net for his 21st with Brown and Grosek assisting. But Patrick Traverse got that one back for Ottawa at 14:27. His shot deflected off a diving Satan and changed direction; Biron couldn't keep up with it. Alfredsson and Janne Laukkanen assisted on the goal that tied the score, 3-3.
Buffalo needed only 13 seconds to regain the lead. Woolley's shot from the right point was knocked down by the Ottawa defense, but Rasmussen was there to grab the rebound. He slipped the puck into the open net to get his seventh. James Patrick also assisted on the play.
Satan completed his hat trick while the Sabres had a five-on-three power play. Stu Barnes spotted him camped on the goal crease. Barnes' pass was on target, and Satan easily slam dunked the puck into the net at 16:31. Woolley also assisted on the goal, which gave the Sabres a 5-3 lead that stood up to the end of the period.
06/06/1999
by Bill Porter
(AP)
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The name inspires smart remarks and dumb looks. It happens
every time Miroslav Satan puts his credit card on the table.
"They ask me, 'Is this really your name?"' the Buffalo Sabres forward
said.
His standard response: "Only in America."
The Sabres' appearance in the Stanley Cup finals that begin Tuesday night in
Dallas ought to clear up any confusion over the name of their leading scorer.
It's "SHUH-tan." Odds are you'll be hearing it a lot.
When the Slovakian takes the ice, there are no references to the little horned
fellow from down below.
Satan can't melt ice or zap opponents with lightning bolts. Just a subtle shift
and a little stickwork will do, sometimes a lot of stickwork.
"He's making great plays at both ends of the rink and even stepped up his
physical play," linemate Geoff Sanderson said. "Miro's got no panic
button out there. Most players tend to rush the play, rush the shot. Miro likes
to stickhandle almost right into the net."
To ensure delivery, Satan occasionally will follow the puck into the net. He led
the team with 40 goals during the season, then an ankle bruise in the first
round of the playoffs sidelined him for nine games.
He picked up where he left off with a goal in a 4-2 win over Toronto in Game 3
of the Eastern Conference finals.
"He's a great asset to have back in the lineup after the injury," said
Curtis Brown, who centers a new line with Satan and Sanderson. "He showed
all year that he's one of the premier offensive players in the league."
A holdout who missed the entire preseason, Satan signed a one-year contract with
the Sabres at the airport as the team prepared to leave off for its season
opener in Dallas in October.
One of 10 Sabres whose contracts expire at the end of the season, Satan will
remain with Buffalo if he and the Sabres can work out the math.
"He certainly is near the top of the list of priorities," said Buffalo
general manager Darcy Regier, who needed scoring after trading holdout Donald
Audette this season. Audette was Buffalo's leading goal scorer in 1997-98.
"The fact that we didn't have Audette this year provided him an
opportunity," Regier said. "We also saw a higher level of commitment
from Miro. He was more involved in things besides just scoring goals."
Satan, a threat on the power play who also can kill penalties, was second to
Audette in goals and first in points last season while playing only about 12
minutes a game.
"For about 30 games I was on the fourth line or the third line and wasn't
playing with guys I wanted to play with," Satan said. "It was a tough
situation for me. I needed something to happen for me to break through."
A contract squabble kept Satan out of camp. He stepped in and made an immediate
impact. "The team wasn't playing very well and they decided to use me
more," Satan said.
Coach Lindy Ruff upped Satan's ice time to around 20 minutes a game and put him
on the penalty-killing unit.
Buffalo survived much of the playoffs without Satan, but the Sabres are glad to
have him back.
"He helps us offensively and adds to a team that's already deep,"
Sabres captain Michael Peca said.
When he turns too suddenly or stops too quickly, Satan gets a sharp reminder of
his injury.
It happened in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against Ottawa. A
slap shot by Sabres defenseman Alexei Zhitnik struck him square on the right
ankle. It took much longer than expected to heal.
"I knew right away I was done for a game or two," Satan said.
"Then they took X-rays and said it's not broken. It's going to be a couple
days, maybe a week and I'll be back. But it wouldn't heal."
When Satan returned, he formed a line with Brown and Sanderson. They clicked.
"He creates something almost every time he's out there," Sanderson
said. "Miro's the playmaker on the line. If Brownie and I can get the puck
back in the offensive zone and look for Miro, it's just a matter of getting it
to him and getting open."
By Mike Zeisberger
05/28/1999
TORONTO SUN, Buffalo -- Dominik Hasek wasn't the only Sabre who made a
successful return to the Buffalo lineup last night.
Sniper Miroslav Satan, the Sabres' leading scorer during the regular season with
40 goals, showed that even a month's absence couldn't spoil his penchant for
finding the net.
Satan suffered a deep bruise to his right ankle in Game 3 of Buffalo's Eastern
Conference quarter-final series against the Ottawa Senators. The ailment left
him out of action for nine games.
The Leafs only wish he would have been sidelined for a bit longer.
After listening to his fiancee sing the national anthem before the game, an
inspired Satan went out and notched a goal and an assist to help the Sabres
defeat the Leafs 4-2.
It didn't take long for Satan to get back on the scoresheet.
With the Sabres down 1-0 early in the second period, he gobbled up a defensive
miscue between Leafs defencemen Sylvain Cote and Tomas Kaberle in front of the
Toronto net.
A quick deke around Curtis Joseph was all it took for Satan to tie the game 1-1.
Satan's effort ignited a Buffalo outburst of three goals in 4:31.
"I looked at it as a gift," Satan said of the Toronto foul-up that
resulted in his goal. "I was glad to take it.
"I didn't want to come back and be searching for the next goal for a long
time. It was a relief."
Satan admitted to being rusty early in the game.
"After being out a month, I had some troubles in the first period," he
said. "But I didn't have any huge problems. I'm glad it worked out. I'm
glad I fulfilled the expectations of my teammates and the fans.
"It's been a frustrating time. I was worried I wouldn't see any action for
the rest of the year. But my teammates picked me up and got us this deep in the
playoffs.
"I'm very glad that Dom is back too. I think we all know that even when he
isn't at 100% he is still better than a lot of goalies."
EDMONTON SUN, Buffalo -- Miroslav Satan for Barrie Moore and Craig Millar.
Now there's a trade you don't file under Glen Sather, GM genius.
Slats, when confronted about it, says simply, "He wasn't playing.''
Translation: When the coach won't play a guy, what's a general manager to do?
Edmonton Oilers organizational people, when the subject comes up, will usually
say something like, "Yeah, but wait till he disappears in the playoffs.''
Well, he did disappear again this year. For nine games. With an injury.
But Satan will almost certainly reappear for Game 3 against the Toronto Maple
Leafs here tonight. And he's a young man on a mission to get rid of the
remaining rap, too.
The 40 goals Satan scored in the regular season this year got rid of most of the
other ones. How many 40-goal scorers did the Oilers have this past season? How
many 30 goal scorers? Where would they have finished if they'd had one?
But the playoff thing still lingers.
"He proved he's an exceptionally talented goal scorer this year,'' said
teammate Dixon Ward. "He proved he can be a consistent goal scorer. He no
longer has the slides that you see with young guys. This was a breakthrough year
for him.
STEP UP, BITE THE BULLET
"Now what he has to prove is that he can do the same thing in the playoffs,
to step up and bite the bullet and get out there when he's not 100 per cent and
do it in the playoffs.''
Ready or not, here he comes.
"I'm ready to go,'' said Satan. "I'm OK to go. I wanted to be back for
the start of this series. But I still couldn't do stops and starts before Game 1
or Game 2. I did them OK today.''
Satan took a shot on the skate in the first-round series against the Ottawa
Senators.
For nine straight games he was listed day-to-day with a bruised foot.
How do you miss nine games with a bruised foot?
There's been a lot of controversy here, considering events of two years ago,
whether Dominik Hasek has pulled the parachute by not playing goal when he's not
100 per cent.
What about this guy?
Nine games with a bruise?
Don't even go there, suggests coach Lindy Ruff.
"We sent him to a doctor in New York and that doctor told us he's seen
cases that took six months. That doctor said he's never seen one bruised that
badly.''
Not much has been made of Miro Satan's absence. Buffalo lost their top scorer
but there has been no daily watch regarding his return, especially since the
Hasek soap opera started.
It was even like that here yesterday.
All eyes were on the two-time Hart Trophy winning netminder when he took the ice
for practice.
Hasek wasn't really a part of practice. He was down at one end, taking a few
shots from a single player. A couple times he went down on one knee. But he only
tried up a couple of ups and downs. And he didn't try a butterfly.
"He had his equipment on, that's a good sign,'' said Ruff.
Ruff says Hasek has medical clearance, but he's always had that.
"He's going to have to know in his own mind if he can do it. He's obviously
not going to be 100 per cent when he plays.''
It's probably 40-60 if Hasek returns tonight. It's better than 60-40 you'll see
Satan.
And it's 99-to-1 that time will prove the Oilers made one major mistake on this
25-year-old who has scored 70 goals and 122 points for the Sabres in the 172
regular-season games since he left Edmonton.
"In Edmonton they think I could not help the team. They don't expect much
from me. I felt I wasn't given a chance.
"I was a young guy and they kept playing their first-round picks ahead of
me.
"They wouldn't give me the chance to prove that I could be the kind of
player I was this year. To prove it, you have to have a chance to do it. I
couldn't prove it there.''
He says he's determined to prove the regular season wasn't smoke and mirrors,
that he can do it when it matters most, when the hockey is hard, in the
playoffs.
"Those are my questions, too. That's in front of me now,'' he said
yesterday. "Obviously I want to prove it. This injury kept me from proving
it. Now I am ready to go and prove it.
"You can't prove it when you can't play. I've waited for my chance to prove
it. Now my time has come.''
STARTED TO PROVE IT
As far as Ruff is concerned, he started to prove it against Ottawa.
"In the playoffs last year I scratched him a couple of times,'' said Ruff
of the guy he sat for refusing to play tough enough.
"In the couple of games he played against Ottawa he played extremely well.
He scored the overtime winner for us in Game 2. I think he got rid of all his
raps during the regular season.''
We'll find out soon enough.