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BOX SCORE
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – Roman Cechmanek – Dominik Hasek's former
understudy – made it Czech-mate against his mentor on Sunday.
Cechmanek stopped 36 shots in leading Philadelphia to a 2-1
victory over the Buffalo Sabres, clinching the Flyers fourth place
and home-ice advantage between the two postseason first-round
opponents.
|  | | Sabres winger Vaclav Varada, center, gets sandwiched by Luke Richardson, right, Daymond Langkow during Sunday's game. The Flyers and Sabres will meet in the first round. |
"It's good. I'm happy that we win today. It was very tough for
us because we wanted to start at home," said Cechmanek who, before
this season, was best known as Hasek's backup on the 1998
gold-medal winning Czech Republic team. "For me, maybe it's a
surprise."
For a first-year NHL player, Cechmanek has been surprising
everyone.
Along with winning his 35th game, tying Bernie Parent for
sixth-most in franchise history, Cechmanek is 4-0 and allowed only
two goals against the Sabres this year.
Asked if those numbers make him better than Hasek, Cechmanek
smiled and said, "Maybe." He then added: "It's not a done
season. Now starts a new challenge."
It's a challenge the Flyers appear to be up to, considering
they've won five of six previous playoff series against the Sabres
– including a 4-1 series win last year – and improved to 10-2-2 in
their last 14 meetings, including the playoffs.
"I don't know if it gives us an edge, but it helps our team as
far as confidence by winning in this building and playing against a
team that's really hot lately," Philadelphia's John LeClair said.
While the playoffs are set to begin Wednesday, the NHL had yet
to release a schedule for each of the series.
Ruslan Fedetenko broke a 1-1 tie with 7:34 left in regulation,
and Derek Plante also scored for the Flyers, coming off Saturday's
come-from-behind 4-3 win over Pittsburgh.
Fedetenko, who also had an assist, scored when he cut across the
middle and snapped a hard shot over Hasek's glove.
Donald Audette scored for the Sabres, who lost for only the
fourth time in 14 games. Buffalo, which held the tiebreaking edge
with more wins than Philadelphia, needed only a regulation tie to
clinch fourth place.
Hasek noted Cechmanek's play, but was also pleased with the way
the Sabres performed, outshooting the Flyers 37-17, and 29-11 over
the final two periods.
"He's a good goalie, no doubt. He beat us four times. He
probably played his best hockey against us," Hasek said. "But if
we play in the playoffs like we played today, I believe we can
win."
Despite the loss, the Sabres finished the season allowing a
league-low 184 goals – three fewer than Dallas – to claim the
Jennings Trophy for the third time, and first since 1984-85.
Cechmanek was sharp the entire game. He twice foiled Doug
Gilmour on breakaway opportunities and got a fortunate bounce when
Miroslav Satan chipped a shot off the crossbar five minutes into
the game.
All the scoring came in the third, with Plante – a former Sabre
– flipping in his own rebound 57 seconds into the frame to give
Philadelphia a 1-0 lead.
Audette tied it on the power-play less than six minutes later,
sweeping in a loose rebound.
Game notes
Philadelphia, meeting Buffalo in the playoffs for the fifth
time in seven years, holds a 21-10 edge over the Sabres. ...
Sunday's game was broadcast on four TV networks, including ESPN and
Canada's CTV Sportsnet. ... Between periods, Flyers general manager
Bob Clarke noted that both Philadelphia and Buffalo will be missing
their star centers, Eric Lindros and Michael Peca, restricted free
agents who refused to re-sign with their respective teams. "Peca
can check Lindros in this series," cracked Clarke. Comparing the
two players' situations, Clarke called Peca's a "business
decision" for not re-signing with Buffalo and asking to be traded
to any team. As for Lindros, Clarke said he turned down
Philadelphia's $8.5 million offer and handcuffed the club by only
wanted to be traded to Toronto.
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Philadelphia Clubhouse
Buffalo Clubhouse
RECAPS
Pittsburgh 6
Carolina 4
Colorado 4
Minnesota 2
Philadelphia 2
Buffalo 1
Columbus 4
Chicago 3
Washington 2
Tampa Bay 1
San Jose 4
Anaheim 1
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Roman Cechmanek stops Doug Gilmour breakaway scoring attempt.
avi: 1322 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Ruslan Fedotenko nets the game-winning goal against Buffalo.
avi: 1108 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Dominik Hasek stops Philadelphia from scoring by covering the bottom of the net.
avi: 1632 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Donald Audette scores the game-tying goal against Philadelphia.
avi: 1598 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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