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Friday, November 12, 1999
Biron proves worth
BUFFALO -- Dominik who?
With apologies to Mr. Hasek, the Dominator no longer is the centre of discussion whenever the subject of Buffalo goaltending arises.
Young Martin Biron has seen to that.
Thanks in part to his 6-1-0 record, 2.29 goals-against average and .915 save percentage, the Sabres have reached the .500 mark for the first time this season.
The Sabres figured Biron would one day replace Hasek in net. They just didn't think it would be so soon.
"We are mildly surprised," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "We expected him to play well after seeing him last year but it's a different kind of pressure when you throw such a heavy load on his shoulders."
When Hasek announced this would be his final season in the NHL, Sabres officials hoped to bring Biron along slowly. But those plans were scrapped when Hasek was lost for at least two months with a groin injury.
Enter Biron, who came into the season with six career NHL starts. Recalled Oct. 21 from Buffalo's American Hockey League farm club in Rochester, the 22-year-old native of Lac St. Charles, Que., has found a way to point the foundering Sabres in the right direction.
"There is a little cockiness there," Ruff said of his young netminder. "He believes he can be a No. 1 goalie in this league and he's out to prove it."
Biron agreed.
"Maybe Lindy is right," said Biron, named NHL player of the week three days ago. "To play this position you have to have confidence, even a bit of cockiness."
Biron has modelled his game after fellow French-Canadian goaltenders Felix Potvin and Martin Brodeur.
"I want to show I can play here," Biron said. "This is where I want to be. You always have to fight for a job, and that is what I plan to do."
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