Bruins bite down

Samsonov, Grahame lead team to fourth straight win

By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff, 10/31/99

For the past week, Sergei Samsonov was subsisting on Cream of Wheat, MetRx shakes, and mashed potatoes. The Bruin forward was high-sticked in the face in Anaheim Oct. 24. He bit down so hard on his tongue, he required eight stitches to close the wound.

As distasteful as the injury was - no pun intended - and as much as he couldn't have been less excited about food, Samsonov hasn't missed a beat. The flashy left wing scored a pair of goals (Nos. 3 and 4 of the season) as the Bruins knocked off the sloppy Buffalo Sabres, 3-0, at the FleetCenter last night. Samsonov extended his point streak to five games, with four goals and two assists in that span.

The shutout went to goalie John Grahame, the first of his NHL career. Grahame is due to be shipped to Providence this week as soon as Byron Dafoe is deemed fit to play.

Grahame, who led Providence to the Calder Cup championship last season, has been a steady and aggressive presence in the seven games he has played this season. But with Rob Tallas having to clear waivers and Grahame not, the Bruins' choice is clear. They would never risk losing Tallas, especially with two expansion clubs coming next year.

Last night, Grahame made 26 stops on the way to his second win of the year as the Bruins extended their winning streak to four and their unbeaten streak to five games (4-0-1).

"It's a tough, tough thing in my situation," said Grahame, clearly distraught at the thought of a demotion. "I'm trying to be up here and prove that I belong to be up here. I think I played well to this point and I think I deserve a chance to keep playing well.

"I don't want to get sent down. It's going to be a tough few days here to see what happens. I'm just trying to take advantage of the opportunities I get and play well. That's all you can do."

As bittersweet a night as it was for Grahame, it was a banner night for Samsonov, who has been getting his nutrition from a blender the last week. He said part of his increased production comes from playing alongside center Joe Thornton and right wing Steve Heinze.

"I think I'm having a little bit more chances than at the beginning of the year," said Samsonov. "I can't really explain why. Things are getting settled down right now. I'm feeling much more comfortable with each game and I'm just trying to get used to my partners, too."

Despite not being able to eat food in a solid state, Samsonov said it hasn't affected his energy level. He figures in a couple of days, he'll be able to go back to normal eating.

"It was kind of weird," he said. "I was still eating normally, but I had no appetite because I knew it was going to hurt. The first couple of days it hurt, but it feels much better right now."

The Sabres were without the services of goalie Dominik Hasek, who severely injured his groin Friday late in Buffalo's 3-2 overtime win over Florida. Hasek is expected to be sidelined several weeks. Martin Biron (31 saves) got the start in his stead last night.

The Bruins scored the game's first goal at 8:46. It was essentially a power-play goal even though it was credited at even-strength because it came at the exact second the penalty to defenseman Alexei Zhitnik expired.

Left wing P.J. Axelsson, who was positioned along the right-wing boards, dished the puck up to defenseman Kyle McLaren at the right point. McLaren's hard, low shot sailed into the net on Biron's glove side.

Just 46 seconds later, Boston made it a two-goal advantage on Samsonov's first of the night. With right wing Rob DiMaio doing the dirty work, Thornton set up shop behind the net. With Samsonov in the slot, Thornton fed the puck out in front, and Samsonov rapped it into the net, high to the glove side. Biron was so frustrated, he fired the puck down the ice.

Boston upped the ante in the middle period as Samsonov struck again at 15:55. Heinze relayed a pass over to Thornton, who threw it across the slot for Samsonov in the right circle. It was the perfect sniper goal as Samsonov picked the right corner with a forehander that nicked the crossbar before sailing into the net.