once again failed to reach the playoffs, finishing in last place in the league. Had a four-point game February 26, 1996 at St. Louis. Cunneyworth had another solid season. In 1996–97, he played in 76 games for the Senators, scoring 12 goals and 36 points, as he helped the club qualify for the playoffs for the first time in team history, as Ottawa finished in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. He suffered a broken cheekbone during a February 28 game in a fight with Islanders Rich Pilon. In the post-season, Cunneyworth had a goal and two points in seven games, as the Senators lost to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round. Cunneyworth saw his offensive numbers drop in the 1997–98 season, as he scored two goals and 13 points in 71 games, as Ottawa once again reached the playoffs. In the post-season, Cunneyworth had an assist in six games, as the Senators lost to the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. After four seasons with the Senators, Cunneyworth was given his release by newly hired GM Rick Dudley and became a free agent, and on August 27, 1998, he signed with the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo Sabres & Rochester Americans (1998–2000) On August 27, 1998, Cunneyworth returned to his first NHL team, the Buffalo Sabres for the 1998–99 season signing as a free agent. He appeared in 14 games with the Sabres, scoring two goals and four points including the game-winning goal at Vancouver on February 11, 1999. Cunneyworth played in three playoff games for the Sabres, all in the 1999 Stanley Cup Finals, as Buffalo lost to the Dallas Stars. He spent a majority of the season with the Rochester Americans of the AHL, as Cunneyworth suited up for 52 games with the Americans, scoring 10 goals and 28 points while serving as a Player/Assistant Coach. In 20 playoff games, Cunneyworth had three goals and 17 points, as Rochester lost to the Providence Bruins in the 1999 Calder Cup Finals. Played on the Americans top line with Dominic Pittis and Craig Fisher. He returned to the Americans for the 1999–2000 season once again as a Player/Assistant Coach, as Cunneyworth played in 52 games with Rochester, scoring eight goals and 24 points. Cunneyworth was named captain of Team Canada for the 2000 Kodak AHL All-Star Classic. On February 18, 2000, Cunneyworth suffered a season ending knee injury in