Thibault's role is a bench mark for Sabres
NHL
by MATT KRUEGER Reporter

Backup Sabres goalie Jocelyn Thibault can expect to spend the rest of the season sitting on the bench watching highlights on the scoreboard, as starter Ryan Miller racks up the most starts and minutes played by a Buffalo goalie in franchise history. Photo by Patrick McPartland

Jocelyn Thibault fills his spot for the Buffalo Sabres. And that spot is the left edge of the bench.

Thibault, the 10th overall selection in the 1993 NHL entry draft, is past the days of backstopping a team on a nightly basis. Now, he's usually the last player to take the ice for the pregame skate and one of the first to leave it. During games, you can find him sitting in his familiar perch, wearing a baseball cap, waiting, hoping to get the chance to help his team on the ice.

But don't expect to see him start another game this year, unless, somehow, the Sabres can lock up a playoff spot before the end of the regular season. Then, maybe, he would find his way to the crease.

"Obviously, it's not easy when you don't play," said Thibault, who signed a one-year contract with the Sabres last summer. "Very often, when you play, it's a challenge. It is what it is. That's my role here. I've just got to sit and wait and, hopefully, play as best I can when I get a chance to play."

There's a very simple reason why Thibault has only started five games this year - Ryan Miller. Coach Lindy Ruff has said repeatedly, that he is playing Miller night after night, because the 27-year-old gives Buffalo its best chance at winning. And with Buffalo's playoff hopes waning, the Sabres need to win every night.

"I think, obviously, there's a lot of pressure," said winger Derek Roy as Buffalo headed into Tuesday's game against Ottawa sitting in 10th place in the conference. "Every team right now is feeling it. I don't think any team is safe right now. It's coming down to crunch time, and we have to win all our games."

Miller was scheduled to start his 29th straight game against Ottawa on Tuesday, after The Bee went to press. And once again, Thibault was scheduled to sit on the bench.

Thibault has seen action just once in the past month, saving three of four shots in 10 minutes of ice time in Buffalo's 7-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 12. He hasn't started game since Jan. 21, when he gave up six goals on 33 shots in a 6-2 loss to Phoenix.

Still, Thibault has the confidence of his teammates whenever he does take the ice.

"Joc works very hard in practice every day," Roy said. "He's a good goaltender, a veteran goaltender. If we ever need him, I think everyone in this dressing room feels confident with putting him in net."

But all eyes are on Miller, who had already set career highs in games played (70), minutes (4,103), shots against (1,952) and saves (1,774) before Tuesday's game.

"I think he's played real well," Thibault said. "He's been very consistent, and there are not many games that he's been bad. He's been giving us a chance to win every game, and that's what you want from a goalie that plays a lot of games. I think he's held up well."

Miller will easily surpass Buffalo's record for most games played by a goalie (72), held by three goaltenders.

"It's just one game at a time," Miller said.

"We've got to play good hockey, regardless of whether it's immediate results or not, just get points and go out and play as best we can."