Checking From Behind Pulling No Punches

It was a tight back and forth game, but the Buffalo Sabres managed to bury their opportunities while the Oilers were left watching Ryan Miller sprawling to make big saves at key times. The Oilers were provided with some excellent goaltending by Khabibulin, but just couldn't find a way to stay calm defensively, nor provide the necessary offense to offset the Sabres aggression.

"The guys did a fantastic job of trying to be real aggressive on the puck carriers," Buffalo captain Craig Rivet said. "We were able to get through it."

"We were scrambling around," Edmonton forward Patrick O'Sullivan said. "That's the way it's been lately -- not quite able to get the goal when we needed it."

There was an unfortunate moment in the game in which Liam Reddox was taken hard into the boards from behind by Clarke MacArthur. MacArthur received a 5 minute major and a game misconduct for the hit, but even he was worried about Reddox after the hit.

"Watching it on tape, (MacArthur) knew exactly what he was doing," Oilers coach Pat Quinn said. "I don't have anything to say on it. His head got smacked, and he took a pretty nasty hit."

Reddox sustained a cut on his face and will require x-rays on his wrist. It is a hit that will likely warrant a suspension due to how long Reddox's back was exposed to MacArthur before the hit was thrown.

It's another loss to the already depleted Oilers roster this season. The Oilers will now have a few days rest before traveling to Atlanta to take on the Thrashers on Sunday.

Micheal A. Aldred

michealaldred@hotmail.com