Archives for June 1, 2006

'Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said because of the nature of this series, the players shouldn’t be caught by surprise. "Stress level has been high every game," Ruff said. "Every game has been tight and these guys just keep pushing through."' … [Read more...] about Hurricanes, Sabres face high stakes

'Buffalo's best scoring chances have come when its superior skaters have found open ice in transition for breaks against the Hurricanes' slower defensemen. "We've got to focus on what we do best," Carolina defenseman Bret Hedican said. "Skate with the puck. Move the puck. Get it behind their D, and work the (forecheck) cycle. We've beaten teams all year on that cycle."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo gives Canes `Ruff’ time

Put up or shut up (Raleigh News and Observer) Science dissects goalies, finds complex superiority (Raleigh News and Observer) No time like now (Raleigh News and Observer) Coaches huff and they puff (Raleigh News and Observer) Canes finally angry at Sabres (Raleigh News and Observer) Five points (Raleigh News and Observer) Banes of Buffalo (Raleigh News and Observer) 'I'm … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Carolina Coverage

'For the past couple of days, Ruff's criticism of the Hurricanes has annoyed Laviolette. "Why would you want a gag order?" Ruff said Wednesday at the Sabres' team hotel in Cary, N.C. "It's supposed to be fun, isn't it?"' … [Read more...] about The War of Words Precedes the War on Ice

'As the series has progressed, the tension between the two teams has become noticeable, and it has boiled over in recent days.' … [Read more...] about ‘Canes, Sabres not backing down

'I predicted before the series that the Sabres would win in seven, and I'm sticking by that. They keep bouncing back and they don't beat themselves. Adversity has made them all stronger. Nothing can bother these guys.' … [Read more...] about Sabres should have the edge on Hurricanes heading into Game 7

'"Edmonton is a special place for me. It's the place I started. The Oilers are the team which gave me my chance. I spent six years there,'' said Grier.' … [Read more...] about Buncha homers

'Jim Rutherford, the Hurricanes general manager took the bait and went on record on the subject of the champagne. "That's baloney. We wouldn't even have had champagne even if by chance we would have won. Lindy just can't stop his tongue from wagging. I now understand why in previous series some of the other coaches responded in the manner they did to him.''' … [Read more...] about Mind games

'Improvement is a pretty subjective quality, and it's certainly not something that can or should be measured only with a look at the point totals. That said, for me, this year's winner would have to be Carolina's Eric Staal. The leap he took from the tentative, mistake-prone 31-point rookie to 45-goal, 100-point sophomore dominator was quantum.' … [Read more...] about In a class of his own

'Simply put by Laviolette, "He's everything you could want from a leader."' … [Read more...] about Brind’Amour’s leadership guides Hurricanes

'Our Sabres beat reporter found out that he was not with the team Wednesday night in Carolina. Sabres team spokesman Mike Gilbert said he is "sick, but it is possible that he can come join the team for game 7."' … [Read more...] about McKee Status Questionable For Game 7

'Bielicki, owner of Carolina Furniture, said, "It's nice to see peoples reaction when they come in, and we kind of defend ourselves in the same aspect; defend both sides." And when it comes to the weekly drives to North Carolina for furniture, well, there's been some talk of putting some Sabres paraphernalia on the tractor trailer. Bielicki said, "I don't know if the truck … [Read more...] about WNY Area Basking in Afterglow of Game-Winning Goal

'"I guess it was risky for him to play but he's a veteran player and he told me after warm-up that he could go,'' said Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff. "But he pulled it again.''' … [Read more...] about Ruff confirms no Numminen in Game 7

'So, as much as you want to believe that their short-handed defence is going to be the downfall of the Buffalo Sabres, I think that Lindy Ruff can work around it in a single game situation.' … [Read more...] about Ruff working around depleted defence