Archives for May 19, 2006

'Because hockey players tend to play down off-ice feuds, the networks should not count on any staredowns between Miller and Laviolette. But the way both came back after the Olympic break, charging through the final months of the season and the first two rounds of the playoffs, showed that each had something to prove.' … [Read more...] about Coach and Goalie Put Olympic Letdown Behind Them

'"I knew they were a tough team the first time we played them," Hurricanes captain Rod Brind'Amour said. "I remember the first game up in Buffalo, and I thought, 'Holy cow.' They really took it to us, even though we ended up winning the game."' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Hurricanes both make the most of their seasons

'"We're going to have to make sure we have a lot of traffic in front of him and try to go for the ugly goals, the rebounds and deflections," Dumont said.' … [Read more...] about Ward enters Eastern final with goaltending bragging rights

'The National Hockey League Buffalo Sabres play the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals of the Stanley Cup playoffs starting Saturday, but Chatham doesn't expect anything approaching football fever. "It would be a lot if there are 10 or 20 Sabres fans. There's just not a big following for them around here," she says, adding quickly, … [Read more...] about Ex-Buffalonians await hockey series

'"It's a nice thing, obviously, just being back in the lineup," Vanek said Thursday in HSBC Arena. "I'm trying to work hard every day in practice. I feel like I can do more in the next, hopefully, two rounds. I'm excited, and I'm excited to show what I can do."' … [Read more...] about Sabres choose to push Vanek button

'"You see things in the playoffs that you don't see game in, game out in an 82-game schedule," Ruff said. "You get more. You expect more, and if you don't get it you're disappointed. [In the regular season] you don't see things out of a lot of players, and I think in Al's case we needed him to be a big, physical force, and he's stepped up that part of his game."' … [Read more...] about Kotalik gets his shots in

'"It's about possession," Drury said Wednesday. "You don't want to be chasing all the time. It's nice to have it on your stick. It's a big challenge for all of us, and not only the centers. A lot of draws are neutral or in our feet or close by and the "D" and the wing can help you win draws."' … [Read more...] about Brind’Amour, Drury quick on the draw

'The Sabres have learned they need to be cautious about putting players with head injuries on an airplane.' … [Read more...] about Connolly ruled out for first two games

'Why would two people take a day off from work, drive a total of 22 hours and pay hundreds of dollars to attend the game? "We both believe we're winning the Cup this year, so you have to go for it," Lonsbery said.' … [Read more...] about Sabre fans go the distance

'Haywood wouldn't say how the negotiations evolved. In fact, he wouldn't even characterize the decision as negotiations. "I can only tell you we decided to carry the games on Channel 71," Haywood said. "It is important to our community and important to our subscribers."' … [Read more...] about Sabres playoff games on Adelphia

'Friday morning, Erie County Executive Joel Giambra will receive a donut-like treat called "beaver tails" thanks to his bet with the Canadian consulate general from the Ottawa series. Then, Giambra will make a new wager with an elected official from North Carolina. Also, Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown will discuss terms of a friendly bet with his counterpart from … [Read more...] about Local Leaders Make Sabres Wagers

'Three prominent Buffalo buildings have decked themselves out in Sabres red, white, and black in honor of the hockey team's push for the Stanley Cup.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Color City Skyline

'The Historic Palace Theatre will play host to every game the Sabres play throughout the playoffs, according to Ellen Schratz, president of the board and Jim Kretz, executive director. Admission is free, though donations to the not-for-profit theater are being accepted at the door. Beer, wine, concessions, pizza and wings will be sold.' … [Read more...] about Palace Theatre to air Sabres games at no cost

'When the Sabres have stumbled or when they've faced adversity (as they did late in their second-round series against Ottawa), it's been Drury who's made the big play, set up the big goal or helped kill off the big penalty.' … [Read more...] about Chris Drury vs. Mike Commodore

'Not that any of this will matter Saturday in Game 1, unless Laviolette starts shooting wristers from the bench. Miller hardly needs any more motivation, nothing extracurricular to make him "play harder." That don't-give-'em-bulletin-board-material line at this time of year is sophomoric hooey. Still, while hockey cools its heels -- there will be only … [Read more...] about The Miller-Laviolette Feud