The Buffalo Sabres centre spoiled the evening of thousands of Toronto Maple Leafs fans, who turned the HSBC Arena into a home away from home for their team, when he scored the winning goal at 6:44 of the third period last night. It was Connolly's second goal of the game and the 5-2 win broke a four-game National Hockey League losing streak for the Sabres.

The number of Leaf fans was as much an indication of the trouble the Sabres have had selling tickets in the wake of the lockout as it was of the Leaf fans' loyalty. The crowd of 18,690 was only the second sellout of the season for the Sabres, as their crowds have ranged from a low of 8,552 fans to 16,346 fans for their other home games. That means there were lots of ducats for the noisy army clad in blue-and-white Leaf sweaters, who often drowned out the Sabres fans.

Then again, it's usually the Sabres who have the most fun in these games. Ever since Punch Imlach was fired by the Maple Leafs more than 35 years ago and went on to become the founding general manager of the Sabres, they have enjoyed a mastery over the Leafs in this town.

Connolly made a nifty move on the winning goal, sweeping around Leafs defenceman Ken Klee and then roofing a backhand shot to the top corner. He said the credit for the move belongs to an old Sabres plough horse, the now-retired enforcer Rob Ray.

It was actually not a bad performance by the Leafs. They dominated the game for stretches but were undone by mistakes at the worst times, both of the mental and physical variety.

Goaltender Ed Belfour let the Sabres take the early lead when he allowed a routine wrist shot by Connolly to squeeze between his pads. And a bad penalty by Nik Antropov gave the Sabres a 5-on-3 power play in the second period and let them take a 2-1 lead on a goal by Chris Drury.

Quinn also had some ire for referees Bill McCreary and Craig Spada. He appeared to direct some comments their way at the end of the game, but ignored a question about the matter, probably a good move given the fine he incurred from the league earlier this season for merely questioning its philosophy.

Now the Leafs face the unpleasant prospect of starting a losing streak of their own. They have to go into Montreal tonight and face the 12-3-2 Canadiens, who lead the Northeast Division and the Eastern Conference.

Belfour's counterpart, Sabres goaltender Martin Biron, who was one of several players called out publicly this week by his head coach, Lindy Ruff, responded with a strong effort.

He did commit a mental error of his own by getting caught out of his net trying to clear a puck during a power play. Leafs captain Mats Sundin picked off the attempt and fed Alexander Steen in front of the net to tie the score 1-1. But he was solid otherwise, allowing nothing other than a goal by Eric Lindros late in the second period.

Biron lost the No. 1 goaltender's job in training camp to rookie Ryan Miller. The Sabres were trying to trade Biron and his $2.1-million (U.S.) contract until Miller broke a thumb.

Once he got his job back, Biron lost four consecutive games going into last night's meeting with the Leafs, and Ruff was not impressed. "I need him to be more aggressive," Ruff said.

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