Hammerin' Hecht battles to score
After rare fight, ending skid is his goal
For the first time in his career, Jochen Hecht has established a fighting streak. With that out of the way, he can focus on getting rid of his all-shot, no-goal skid.
Hecht, the most soft-spoken member of the Buffalo Sabres, upped his fisticuffs total to two fights in two seasons during Saturday's visit to Boston. While that's a number Rob Ray could reach in one period back in the day, it qualifies as a pugilistic onslaught for Hecht.
Going back to the 2001-02 season, according to HockeyFights.com, Hecht had dropped the gloves only once every other year. He dotted the eye of Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier last season, and Saturday's major with Mark Stuart gave Hecht a fight in back-to-back years for the first time in his 11 seasons. Of course, his six-second tussle with Stuart should come with an asterisk.
"I don't count that as a fight," Hecht said with a smile. "I didn't see him drop the gloves. We were pushing and shoving. All of a sudden he dropped them, I was struggling to get mine away, and it was over already. You battle in front of the net, and things happen."
Unfortunately for Hecht, that was pretty much the only thing that's happened at the net lately. The Sabres host the Edmonton Oilers tonight in HSBC Arena, and Hecht faces his previous team with no goals in nine games. He's found the net just once in 14 games this season.
It's hardly from lack of effort. Hecht's 43 shots are tied with Drew Stafford for the team lead and rank 62nd in the NHL. He's scoring on just 2.3 percent of his shots, though, which ranks 467th — dead last among NHL goal scorers.
"They're due. They're going to come," Hecht said. "They've got to go in sooner or later."
Hecht admitted the Sabres could have used some during the last two games. The left winger led Buffalo with nine shots during the pair of losses.
"He's putting in the work and getting the chances," linemate Mike Grier said. "That's all you can ask for. Eventually, with someone with his skill, he's going to get on a good run here soon."
Grier, Hecht and center Tim Kennedy have a reputation for being a defensive line, but they have arguably been the most consistent at creating offensive chances. There's little tangible evidence to back that up, as they've combined for only five goals.
"We're getting the chances as a line," Hecht said. "I think we've played good so far. When somebody starts scoring, I think the whole line is going to take off and be a big offensive part here."
Added Grier, who has three of the line's tallies: "We were saying the other day we just need a bounce or two, get something to bounce our way and go in. We're pretty happy with the way we're playing, but at the same time we'd like to contribute more offensively."
Coach Lindy Ruff is swapping the centers on his top two lines, Derek Roy and Tim Connolly, in an effort to create more offense. He's leaving Hecht's line intact with the hope all these chances will finally find the net.
"He's getting pucks to the net and he's been around the net," Ruff said. "Those opportunities will start to go. That line has generated some good opportunities. You would think that sooner or later it's got to break for him."
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