Blue Jackets rally past Sabres

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01/27/2007 - Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Rostislav Klesla sparked a third-period comeback with the game-tying goal, while Dan Fritsche knocked home the decisive tally, as the Columbus Blue Jackets rallied for a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena.

In the first game back for both teams after the All-Star break, Columbus dominated the final stanza en route to the win. Klesla was the catalyst for the game-tying marker, as he settled in behind an odd-man rush, took a drop pass from Manny Molhotra and sent a wrist shot over Ryan Miller at 5:22.

Fritsche then notched the go-ahead goal, as he stayed with the play, collected his own rebound, and flipped the puck over the netminder's right pad with 10:37 remaining in the contest.

The Sabres had their best chance to tie things up with five minutes to play, as Chris Drury sent a slap shot just high and wide of the net. Paul Gaustad was then called for tripping with just 2:23 remaining, while Jaroslav Spacek joined him on a holding charge 1:22 later, effectively sealing the win for Columbus.

Rick Nash, who had a pair of goals in the All-Star game, also scored for the Blue Jackets, who have won three of their last four games overall. Fredrik Norrena was nearly flawless between the pipes, turning aside 36 of 38 Buffalo chances, including nine in the final stanza.

Drury tallied both goals for the Sabres, who have dropped five of their last seven contests. Daniel Briere, who garnered MVP honors at the All-Star game with a goal and four assists, also had a pair of helpers on the night, while Miller made 24 saves.

Columbus drew first blood on the power play, as Buffalo's Dmitri Kalinin went off for hooking. Not more than 30 seconds elapsed on the man-advantage, as David Vyborny took a feed at the blue line, then chipped it up along the boards to Sergei Fedorov, who sent a cross-ice pass to Nash that skipped along the goal mouth. The left winger attempted a quick feed for Anson Carter, but the disc deflected off the knee of Teppo Numminen and through the five-hole of Miller with 7:51 remaining in the first period.

The Sabres quickly answered at the tail end of their own power play, as Drury cut toward the net and fired a wrist shot that beat Norrena topshelf with 4:03 to play in the stanza. The fireworks weren't over, however, as Andrew Peters and Jody Shelley dropped the gloves on the ensuing faceoff, with Peters getting the best of his counterpart before the linesman intervened.

Both sides combined for 24 penalty minutes in the early going. A Buffalo power play also bridged the first and second periods, quickly turning into a 5-on-3 at the start when Adam Foote was whistled for holding.

Drury then tallied his second marker of the game, and 12th power play goal of the season, as he one-timed Briere's rebound, ripping a snap shot past Norrena at 1:08.

The Sabres were denied a chance to go up by two with just 18 ticks remaining in the period. Daniel Paille went one-on-one on the breakaway, deked and shifted to the backhand as Norrena committed early, then had the puck kicked away by Anders Eriksson. Paille was awarded a penalty shot as a result, but sent the puck high and wide of the net, as the teams skated to the second intermission with Buffalo clinging to a one-goal lead.

Game Notes

Buffalo finished 2-for-6 on the power play, while Columbus ended 1- for-6...Nash was playing in his 250th career NHL game...It was Buffalo's first visit to Columbus since March 29, 2004, when the Sabres shut out the Blue Jackets by a 6-0 final...Buffalo has 33 games remaining in the regular season, with 28 against Eastern Conference teams, and 13 against Northeast Division opponents...Briere leads the Sabres with 59 points (18G, 41A).

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Problem with Bears?

Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.

"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."

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Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.

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