Sidelines

Rasputin Game

Corey Shoock won The Spectrum's Rasputin game last week when his choice of Buffalo over Dallas was a push against the spread as opposed to Mike Flatt whose pick of Indianapolis over Jacksonville fell to pieces when Byron Leftwich and the Jags upset the Colts. Although in most gambling scenarios, Shoock's push would not have won him anything, he was declared the victor by default since Flatt flat (no pun intended) out lost.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils played the first ever regular season National Hockey League game in Rochester, N.Y. to a 2-2 tie at the Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday. Maxim Afinogenov scored his second goal of the season, and goaltender Martin Biron turned aside 33 shots to preserve the tie. It was Biron's first game since allowing seven goals against the Atlanta Thrashers on Nov. 6. The Sabres are now 7-7-2-0, and will play the Pittsburgh Penguins Friday.

Miami Clinches East Division

For the first time since the MAC split into two conferences, a team other than Marshall is the MAC East champion. The Miami of Ohio RedHawks ended the dominance with their 45-6 victory over the Thundering Herd. Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw for 282-yards and two touchdowns. He also joined the elite company of Chad Pennington and Byron Leftwich as the only MAC QB's to ever throw for more than 3000 yards in three years.