Archives for May 2006

'The Buffalo victory was more impressive than the score indicated and was more thorough than the 8-2 thrashing dropped on the visitors in Game 2. The Sabres controlled the game from the outset -- limiting Philly to three first-period shots -- and completely shut down Flyers' star Peter Forsberg.' … [Read more...] about Sabres flatten Flyers to lead series

'"Every time I went on the ice, my pulse rate went up to whatever," he said of his runaway heart. "It was beating fast and when I came to the bench I was still feeling it. It was four or five shifts before I realized what was going on. At first I thought it was just the excitement of the game, but it kept on."' … [Read more...] about Numminen’s heart now beats properly

'"Over all, this was the best game they've played in the series," Philadelphia coach Ken Hitchcock said of the Sabres' nearly flawless performance. "They were very tenacious and they caused us to make soft plays with the puck at inopportune times."' … [Read more...] about BriEere’s playmaking gives Buffalo series lead

'The odds were against the Sabres historically yesterday, given a 2-10 record in Game 5 situations when tied 2-2 in games.' … [Read more...] about Numminen shows heart in return

'"Ryan Miller is a very competitive person, he doesn't like you to even score on him in practice," said Daniel Briere, the pilot light of the Buffalo furnace. "So when people started to question his playoff goaltending ability, I knew he'd come back. I don't think it was fair to criticize him, but at the same time it worked out quite well."' … [Read more...] about Criticism ignites goalie’s competitive spirit

'"We got outplayed again," Peter Forsberg said. "We're making a habit of not working. There's nothing to say about the way we played except we have to be better. I thought we came in here with momentum - wow, we won the last games at home - but we just aren't playing well enough up here to win games."' … [Read more...] about Sabres snatch lead in series

'They get to every loose puck first. They get back on defense, negating Flyers rushes. They weave their way around and through Philadelphia's defense, making the Flyers look as if their skates are welded to the ice. Oh, and the Buffalo power play is a thing of beauty to watch unfold.' … [Read more...] about Slow-footed Flyers rattled by speedy Sabres

'As a precaution, Connolly wore a visor for the first time since he played in juniors seven years ago. He had no time to adjust to the visor and said it made him "feel a little bit weird out there," which is probably better than the Flyers felt after Connolly kick-started Buffalo's win with a power-play goal just 6 minutes, 5 seconds after the opening face-off, making it five … [Read more...] about Buffalo’s Connolly takes one for team

'"I guess a lot of people over the course of my life have been telling me either that I'm not good enough or maybe that I'm lacking something," he said. "I do take that to heart. Don't get me wrong - I'm not reading anything you guys are writing right now, so it's all right."' … [Read more...] about Shutout helps Miller forgive and forget

'For five straight games, the Buffalo Sabres have taken control of the game, scored the first goal and had the Flyers chasing them. And it is a fact that is baffling everyone. "Obviously, we're not trying to wait and watch as they score, but we've got to get a better start," Flyers forward R.J. Umberger said. "Our [method of operation] all year is to have slow starts, but it's … [Read more...] about Flyers must find a way to slow Sabres’ offense

'When asked if he thought his player was pushed into Miller, Ken Hitchcock had a dramatic pause before replying, "It was a major turning point."' … [Read more...] about Game really turned on Savage penalty

'It's Lindy Ruff's ability to get the Sabres' top line of Daniel Briere, J.P. Dumont and Maxim Afinogenov on the ice against the Flyers' second line of Jeff Carter, R.J. Umberger and Niko Dimitrakos that is paying big dividends for the Sabres. Carter's line had 22 goals in the final 17 games of the regular season, but has just one in five playoff games and is a minus-7 in the … [Read more...] about Sabres’ top line is hurting Flyers

'"I respect the referees, I think they're doing a great job," Nedved said. "But I said from the beginning of the season, they're so worked up about watching the stick on stick and the holding. "When a thing like that happens . . . I mean, he could have taken my knee out. I was lucky I ended up with a little charley horse. But if it was a different angle he could have taken my … [Read more...] about Nedved: Gaustad deserved penalty

Sabres snatch lead in series (Philadelphia Inquirer) Slow-footed Flyers rattled by speedy Sabres (Philadelphia Inquirer) Buffalo's Connolly takes one for team (Philadelphia Inquirer) Snider backs coach, denying N.Y. story (Philadelphia Inquirer) Buffalo runs herd over Flyers (Philadelphia Daily News) As Forsberg goes, so go Flyers (Philadelphia Daily News) Shutout helps … [Read more...] about Monday’s Philadelphia Coverage (Updated 7:00 a.m.)

'"Today was as good a game as I've seen us put together, from an offensive standpoint and a defensive standpoint," Buffalo Coach Lindy Ruff said. "Can I answer that for the next game? Not right now, because that's a tough building to play in."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Again Roll at Home, but Road Can Still Be Rough