Sabres shine at 2003 World Championships

By John Sanful

At this year’s IIHF World Championships in Finland, Buffalo Sabres were well represented. In all, five members of the Sabres put on the jersey of their respective nations in what was one of the better World Championships in recent memory. Team Canada beat Sweden 3-2 in overtime on an Anson Carter goal to win their first gold medal in the tournament since 1997.

Sabres forward Daniel Briere ended his season on a high note when he joined Team Canada. Briere, acquired at the trade deadline from Phoenix, was second on Team Canada in scoring with four goals, nine points and two game-winners. Despite not having seen his family much after the trade to Buffalo, Briere accepted Canada’s invitation to join the national team.

"At the time I got the call, I didn’t know many of the guys who would be here, but the response has been great and everyone who is here has been happy and honored to be here playing for our country," said Briere about his participation in the tournament.

Martin Biron was also a member of Team Canada but did not start.

Defending champion Slovakia roared through the first two rounds before being stopped by Sweden in the Quarterfinals. Slovakia was able to rebound with a bronze medal game win over rival Czech Republic Micro Miroslav. Satan, a member of the team since 2000 and its captain, led Slovakia to the gold last year on his way to being named MVP in the tournament. He is also the most prolific scorer in Slovakian national team history with 54 goals in 72 games.

Dmitri Kalinin’s performance seemed to mirror that of Team Russia. He was one of the veterans on the squad having participated in last year’s tournament. He was impressive in the first round as Russia went 3-0 but struggled along with the rest of his teammates in the Qualification Round and was eventually eliminated in the Quarterfinals by the Czech Republic.
Ryan Miller was expected to shine at the World Championships, much like he did last year, but after dropping his first two games, a 5-2 disappointment to Denmark where he was pulled after giving up two goals on three shots and a 1-0 loss to Switzerland, head coach Lou Vairo did not dress him for the final game of the Preliminary Round. Miller rebounded in the Relegation Round against lesser competition and finished with a 2.49 goals against average but an unimpressive .889 saves percentage.

"I came back and tried to play strong," said Miller. "It was important for me to come back and show the guys that I could play for them."

The win kept the United States from being relegated out of the top group in international hockey, which would have been embarrassing for USA Hockey officials.

The tournament also gave Miller his first, and perhaps only, opportunity to play with his cousin Kevin, a former NHLer who now plays with Davos in the Swiss National League.

"It was great being with him," says Miller of the experience. "He’s vocal in the locker room. I know him as being loose and joking around at home because that is Kevin in the , but, in the room he is all business. The guys respect him and he kept everyone going."

The World Championships are usually a springboard for players. Having succeeded on the big ice amongst the top competition in the world it can have carry-over into the next season. But Briere is enjoying his moment in the spotlight and the thrill of winning the gold medal, he says he owes to his family.

"The last month of the season, I was with the Phoenix Coyotes and then I was traded, so I didn’t get to see my wife and three kids for the last five weeks of the season," said Briere. "Then Team Canada asked me to come here. I went home for five days to spend with the kids before coming over, and I haven’t seen them in four weeks. You know what? This is for them, for giving me the chance to come over here."

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