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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) -- Rick DiPietro's NHL debut for the New
York Islanders was worthy of a win, but he needed some more offense
from his teammates.
|  | | Islanders goalie Rick Dipietro, in his first career NHL start, makes a second-period save against the Sabres on Saturday. |
DiPietro, the first goalie selected first overall in the NHL
draft, stopped 29 shots and had an assist, but Stu Barnes' goal
early in the third period helped lead the Buffalo Sabres to a 2-1
win Saturday night.
"I was pretty nervous," DiPietro said. "I had the butterflies
going during the national anthem."
He had a few more butterflies four minutes into the game, when
he had faced a two-man disadvantage for two minutes as Brad
Isbister and Eric Cairns were both whistled for roughing penalties.
Dave Andreychuk, standing in the slot, scored when he tipped
Chris Gratton's pass from the right point between DiPietro's pads
at 5:14.
"That's where Andreychuk makes his living," DiPietro said.
"It was unfortunate that I couldn't get to it."
Cairns said he was just reacting to being hit by Doug Gilmour.
"I got hit in the head and I turned and gave him a shot,"
Cairns said. "And as usual, it's the big guy who gets called."
Coach Butch Goring was frustrated with where most of the
penalties against the Islanders were called.
"We took four offensive penalties tonight," Goring said. "We
didn't take any against the Rangers (on Friday night), and we won
the game. It's very frustrating."
The Islanders continued to be frustrated by their inability to
score against the Sabres. Buffalo shut them down for eight straight
periods this season covering three games, including the second
period in which DiPietro made two of his biggest saves.
He stopped Curtis Brown at 7:51 with a glove save on a rising
wrist shot, and got his pad on Vaclav Varada's breakaway backhand
attempt at 18:08.
The Islanders finally got a goal against the Sabres to tie it 17
seconds into the final period, and fittingly, DiPietro was
involved. He sent the puck up the left side to Claude Lapointe, who
moved it up the wing. In Buffalo's zone, he centered a pass to Dave
Scatchard, who tipped the puck past Martin Biron.
The tie lasted just 56 seconds, as Stu Barnes got the
winner on a tip of Varada's shot.
"We answered the bell right away after they scored that goal,"
Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "We found a way to win."
DiPietro left with 4:05 to go when he cramped up. After taking
some intravenous fluids, he was fine.
"I got in late last night (here), and I don't think I caught up
to my foods," DiPietro said. "I have to learn to take more water
or Gatorade during the game."
Wade Flaherty came in and stopped the only shot he faced, but
the Islanders couldn't tie it.
"For a 19-year-old to come into the NHL and play like that in
his first game is just outstanding," Biron said. "He made a few
good saves and moved the puck really well."
Goring said DiPietro is capable of more action in the NHL.
"There's no doubt he can handle (being up here)," Goring said.
"He showed he can compete at an NHL level. He certainly didn't
hurt himself tonight."
Game notes
The next-highest goalie drafted also was taken by the
Islanders. Roberto Luongo was chosen fourth overall in the 1997
draft. Luongo was traded to Florida last June to make way for
DiPietro. ... Buffalo right wing Denis Hamel injured his right knee in the
last minute of the opening period when he was hit into the boards
by defenseman Zdeno Chara. He missed the rest of the game, and will
be re-evaluated Sunday. ... Buffalo's shutout streak against the
Islanders this season covered 160:16, and included shutouts by both
Biron and Dominik Hasek. ... There were 14,248 at Nassau Coliseum
for DiPietro's debut. ... Buffalo leads the series between the
teams 53-39-14. ... Including Saturday night's game, the Sabres
have only lost 54 man-games to injury this season, while the
Islanders have lost 210. ... The Islanders lead the NHL with 1,672
hits. ... The Islanders won 41 of 59 face-offs, and led in that
category 31-7 after two periods.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Buffalo Clubhouse
NY Islanders Clubhouse
Isles goalie DiPietro to make NHL debut tonight vs. Sabres
RECAPS
Philadelphia 4
Carolina 3
Montreal 4
Washington 2
Minnesota 4
Los Angeles 1
Boston 4
New Jersey 3
Buffalo 2
NY Islanders 1
Toronto 3
NY Rangers 1
Columbus 2
Anaheim 1
Florida 3
Tampa Bay 2
Pittsburgh 5
Atlanta 1
Colorado 5
Nashville 1
San Jose 4
St. Louis 3
Vancouver 5
Calgary 3
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