Archives for May 2006

'"We worked real hard and played a pretty responsible game," said Ottawa coach Bryan Murray. "But we can't find a way to score. If you don't score goals and put pressure on the opposition you don't win hockey games. All we have done the whole series is play from behind."' … [Read more...] about Dumont, Sabres find OT winner to grab 3-0 series lead over Ottawa

'"Even if that shot was so slow, it happened so fast," Dumont said. "I just turned around to make sure [it was a goal] and I saw Jay McKee and Teppo [Numminen] coming after me like crazy men, like they were going to kill me. When I saw them coming at me, then I knew the puck was in. I saw the bench and all the crowd go crazy. It was unbelievable."' … [Read more...] about Nothing but Net

'Its so-called stars don't disappear when seasons and reputations are on the line, as the Sens' marquee guys always seem to do when the heat intensifies in May.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ first-responders enjoy 3-0 lead

'Nobody should question whether Hasek is injured. He's been hurting since the Olympics. But he has a history of not playing unless he's 100 percent, right down to his toenails, no matter the stakes. You can bet he doesn't want any part of this series now, not with Buffalo rolling and fans salivating over the possibility of fresh meat.' … [Read more...] about Hasek stars in role of drama king

'"If you were to watch these three games again, I don't know how you could say one team's up three games to nothing," Senators center Jason Spezza said. "We shouldn't be up, 3-nothing, and they shouldn't be up, three-nothing. That's a hard pill to swallow."' … [Read more...] about Sens finding 3-0 deficit tough to take

'Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Kalinin was "week-to-week" and would definitely not be back this week. Kalinin is hoping he could return if the playoffs continue past this Eastern Conference semifinal for Buffalo. "I have no idea right now [how long I'll be out]," said Kalinin, on crutches with a protective boot. "It depends on how it feels. Maybe a week or two weeks, and then … [Read more...] about Broken ankle forces Kalinin to sidelines

'Game tickets sold out for the Ottawa series in less than an hour. Before the faceoff, scalpers were commanding between $150 and $275 per ticket.' … [Read more...] about Sabre Nation revels

'The Sabres have been through a lot since their last conference final appearance in 1999, most of it unremarkable. Now it appears they were ahead of nearly everyone in their approach to the new NHL.' … [Read more...] about Obscurity, youth right mix for Sabres

'"I thought we probably played our best all-around game of the series," Ruff said, "and then J.P. threw a little Phil Niekro in at the end."' … [Read more...] about A sweet, sweet 3-0 lead for Sabres

'"I'm not lying," the 22-year-old native of the Czech Republic said. "I think everybody is a little nervous playing at home, a lot of people and a little bit of pressure. But after the first couple shifts, everything was OK. It surprised me. It's been a month since I played."' … [Read more...] about First playoff appearance doesn’t rattle Novotny

'At what point does the improbable become the expected?' … [Read more...] about Sabres 3-0 lead? It doesn’t add up o but that’s OK

'Tailgaters reveled in the parking lots on Perry Street. Flocks of fans exchanged high-fives with motorists backed up in the post-game traffic. The five-beat “Let’s Go Buffalo” war cry echoed incessantly, mixed together with random, joyous blasts from car horns. As I sit write this article, tucked in an apartment in the heart of Allentown, the horns still … [Read more...] about Can you believe it, Sabre fans?

'Why would anything change in the playoffs? When the Senators rebounded, so, too, did the Sabres. The Sabres are doing whatever it takes. It's sounding like a broken record, but it's music to the loud -- really LOUD -- HSBC Arena crowd.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo braves Bad breaks

'Co-captain Daniel Briere said the mood in the dressing room during the intermission went from frustration to hope. "We came back in the room, took the first 10 minutes to let out our frustrations and there was a lot of frustration with the calls that were going their way," the Gatineau native said. "Then, in the last five minutes, we reminded ourselves of what happened in the … [Read more...] about OT knuckler leaves Sabres dancing

'"We don't get the exposure other teams in big markets do. A lot of people don't know us, but we don't mind that."' … [Read more...] about Sabres put Sens on the ropes