Sabres blunted by Biron

The Philadelphia goalie Martin Biron had a season-high 40 saves against his former team as the visiting Flyers shut out the Buffalo Sabres 3-0. Biron, 31, who spent more than eight seasons in Buffalo before moving to the Flyers during the 2006-07 season, put together his first clean sheet of the season in helping Philadelphia win their fourth game in the last five contests. "Any time there was a breakdown, Marty was there to make the save and he had some game-savers," the Flyers coach John Stevens said.

Philadelphia's defence gave Biron plenty of support, killing off penalties late in the first and third periods, including a five-on-three in the opening frame. The Sabres failed to capitalise on scoring opportunities the entire game, Jaroslav Spacek being the biggest culprit when he hit the post with the goal at his mercy. "Getting help from the irons is part of the game," Biron said. "When you move well in the crease, you dive left, right and it stays in your pads or goes off the post."

The netminder has been in impressive form in his last two starts, allowing just one goal against him in a win against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov 15. Scott Hartnell opened the scoring with less than a minute left in the first period, putting in a backhand goal on assists from Simon Gagne and Andrew Alberts. Centre Jeff Carter struck in the third period, where he recording his team-leading 12th and 13th goals of the season for the Flyers (8-6-4). It was the second time this season that he had scored more than once in a game.

Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller had 22 saves, but has won just one of their last six starts. The Sabres have now lost four in a row. * Reuters