Buffalo’s (C) Norris Returns
Sabres 5 – Jets 1 It did not take Buffalo long to take control of this game as they scored twice in 15 seconds on their first two SOG during the first three minutes of the first period for a quick 2-0 lead with Sabres returning (C) Norris assisting on the first goal.
Buffalo’s special teams excelled with a goal on the power play and killing off Winnipeg’s man advantages, (G) Luukkonen played exceptionally well in net for the Sabres, Buffalo finished off a perfect first period scoring three times on 14 shots chasing Winnipeg’s starting goaltender.
Even when the Jets were able to score during the second period the Sabres came right back 83 seconds later and scored again as (RW) Tuch took a difficult angled shot that bounced off of Winnipeg’s rookie backup (G) Milic that gave Buffalo its three-goal lead back.
Excitement started early in the third period as (C) Norris scored his second goal of the evening just 41 seconds into the period, only a minute or so later 6′ 7″ defenseman for the Jets elbowed 5′ 10″ (LW) Benson’s head into the glass for a penalty that was addressed later in the period as there was roughing and three 10 minute misconducts handed out with six minutes remaining in the game.
Buffalo wins convincingly at home and now begins a six-game road trip Wednesday night and then to Winnipeg Friday night for the rematch.
Buffalo Winter 
Now that the Winnipeg Jets are without their #1 goalie, they are sliding and I suspect there are players on the team who are misbehaving out of frustration as evidenced by all the misconducts issued–no excuse though for such horrible behaviour.
Josh Norris is a FA in both my leagues and I am wondering if I should pick him up (but who to drop is an issue). Perhaps I will put him on both my Watch Lists. What do you think?
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Hockey players from time to time have been known for ungentlemanly behavior, imho.
About (C) Norris, I believe placing him on your watch list is a good idea, personally I feel it is too soon to pick him up, unless you have a ravaged team of injuries and nonproductive players, otherwise we have to give this player some time.
My take on (C) Norris is that he had 55 points in 66 games one season in Ottawa which is almost a point a game pace, then he seemed to get injured more than fans liked so they nick-named him “Mr. Glass”, Buffalo acquires him in a trade and he scored and had an assist in three games for the Sabres last season, then he played in our first game this year and was hurt and missed the next 24 games, then on his return he scores twice and earns an assist on Buffalo’s first goal versus the Jets, so, too little game time action for me to determine if I should grab him from the waiver wire, but he is worth watching to see if he continues to trend upwards, if yes then he would be a good player to have on the roster, I already have two Sabres on my roster so unless Buffalo begins to win consistently I am going to have him on my watch list and see what develops.
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Thank you for your advice regarding Norris. That’s very useful information. I won’t make a move just yet.
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