Archives for March 2003

'Approximately 7,000 tickets are still available for tonight's game against the Washington Capitals. Fans probably will be more interested in the fact that about 2,000 seats remain for Thursday's home contest against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.' … [Read more...] about Leafs miffed by Varada trade

'Washington is the only Eastern Conference team with nine players in double-digit goal scoring.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Capitals

'"Reality sunk in with us a long time ago," Ray said. "There's a lot of joking about buying and selling houses and how no one's going to want [Sabres players] in a dispersal draft. If you make fun of it, it makes it easier to deal with. What has changed is that the people at home are realizing that there's a very good chance that the Sabres … [Read more...] about Sabres struggling toward oblivion

'Right now the future of the Sabres is still unclear until the ownership situation is cleared up. If, or when, that happens Sabre fans will have a better picture of where the team is headed, no matter if it means moving the team or simply not existing anymore. As for now, the soap opera-like atmosphere that surrounds the Sabres on a day-to-day basis makes things all too … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres trade deadline report

'Quinn is somewhat perplexed as to why the Sabres settled for Klepis when, he suggests, they were trying to pry young hotshot Nik Antropov from the Leafs.' (Submitted by: Sculley) … [Read more...] about Sabres rattle Quinn

'Ruff is just two wins shy of tying Scotty Bowman for most regular-season wins with Buffalo, and a third victory will diminish in the Sabres' annals possibly the greatest coach of any sport of all time.' … [Read more...] about Ruff poised to top Bowman on Sabres' win list

'"I've never asked for a trade," he told The Spec this week. "But if management decides to trade me because of what's best for the organization, that's the way it goes. I heard a lot of rumours the past couple of months. But one guy (Varada) got traded and there were no rumours about him."' … [Read more...] about Toronto needs another horse, and it could be Zhitnik

'"It's unfortunate that we lost the game in overtime, but we still have to be happy with the point. We did not have the best legs tonight, but we kept battling through it and showed character," said Satan, who extended his points streak to five games with three goals and four assists over the span.' … [Read more...] about Noronen can't stop Islanders

'"It gave me a lot of confidence that Lindy showed confidence in me to throw me out in that type of situation," Botterill said. "I was glad I could reward him, and hopefully that'll allow me to be in those types of situations in upcoming games."' … [Read more...] about Botterill looking to prove he belongs

'You want to blame personnel director Don Luce? Go ahead. But nobody is more responsible for personnel than the general manager. The fact remains a good team was torn apart under Regier in less than three years.' … [Read more...] about Senators made good use of assets to compete with small budget

'The Islanders got a free goal at 1:21 of the second period. Sabres center Stu Barnes had pushed a shot wide of Snow and Buffalo defenseman Rhett Warrener controlled the puck in his zone. Warrener tried a cross-ice pass to Barnes at the Sabres' blue line, but Shawn Bates intercepted it. He took a stride, then fired a shot that went over Noronen's stick and in. It … [Read more...] about Islanders Have to Earn Their Points Against Sabres

'"Huge. We needed to win this game," Blake said after reaching the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career. "Every team has a tough month on their schedule and for us it's March, by far. Things can change every day."' … [Read more...] about With heat on Isles, Blake wins it in OT

'Buffalo knotted it with 4:53 left in the third on Miroslav Satan's drive from the right circle off a faceoff Curtis Brown won from Claude Lapointe deep in the Islanders' zone.' … [Read more...] about Blake provides much-needed lift

'Last night was no little skirmish. The Sabres, well out of contention practically since November, as usual gave the Isles a tough game. And both teams failed to convert on several quality chances and several empty nets as the puck did a lot of dancing on the choppy Coliseum ice.' … [Read more...] about Blake's Rescue

'Blake's scored with 2:18 remaining in overtime, and Snow stopped 36 shots as the Islanders edged the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 on Saturday night.' … [Read more...] about Islanders 2, Sabres 1, OT