Archives for June 2, 2006

'Veteran defensemen Jay McKee and Teppo Numminen and forward Mike Grier are the only regulars eligible to be unrestricted free agents in July. The rest of Buffalo's core players -- including Drury, Daniel Briere and goaltender Ryan Miller -- are either under contract or the team has the option to retain their rights.' … [Read more...] about Sabres emerge from playoff loss with bright future

'The Sabres are obviously disappointed that they won't be sipping from Lord Stanley's cup this year. Still, hundreds greeted them at Prior Aviation when they arrived back from Raleigh early Friday morning.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Receive Warm Homecoming Reception

'In the end, the injuries that felled four of its six starting defensemen and star center Tim Connolly proved too much for the Sabres. The Sabres led 2-1 after two periods, but the Hurricanes netted three in the third to ice the win.' … [Read more...] about Heartbreaking loss

'The Sabres went into the game 9-0 when leading after two periods in the playoffs. The Hurricanes were 1-6 when trailing. "We had them where we wanted them after the second period," Briere said. "We were confident, but we didn't have quite enough to get the job done tonight."' … [Read more...] about End of the line

'"It was kind of a little scrum there, and I just backed up to get in position," Fitzpatrick said after the 4-2 loss. "Looking around, I thought the puck was still in the scrum, and I never saw it."' … [Read more...] about A frozen moment lingers for Fitzpatrick

'McKee's strep infection developed when bacteria came into contact with a gash caused by a blocked shot he took in the second round against the Ottawa Senators. The cut didn't require stitches, but it wouldn't close because pucks repeatedly struck the area in practices and games. Strep infections of the skin are rare, but cases involving athletes usually are the result of old, … [Read more...] about Sitting doesn’t suit McKee

'Of course, there will be more questions than answers during the offseason. It's the case for 29 teams that fail to win the Stanley Cup. What would have happened had the Sabres not been stricken by an unfathomable string of misfortune? What if they would have had six healthy defensemen? Or had they converted numerous chances in Game Five?' … [Read more...] about Plenty of pride despite agony of defeat

'"My favorite new rule in the NHL cost us the frigging game," an emotional Miller said in the RBC Center. "Stupidest thing ever. I don't see how that should ever decide a game. Two guys forechecking a player, he goes to make a quick play in the bad ice in springtime, and it goes out of play. You're telling me that's a rule? They gotta wake up."' … [Read more...] about Miller blasts rule that sent Campbell to penalty box

'Disappointment. Frustration. Heartbreak.' … [Read more...] about Sabres' magical season still one to be remembered

'The gritty Sabres, carrying the hopes of western New York fans with them, lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 in Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference finals Thursday, missing out on a chance to play in the Stanley Cup finals for the third time in the Buffalo team's history.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ wild ride screeches to halt

'It was Boston's Brad Park in 1983 and Dave Reid in 1992, New Jersey's Claude Lemieux in 1994 and Pittsburgh's Darius Kasparaitis is 2001. Now add Rod Brind'Amour, who ripped a loose puck high past goalie Ryan Miller on the power play with 8:38 left for what proved to be the game-winner, as opponents sent another dagger through the Sabres and the hearts of their fans to win a … [Read more...] about Weary Sabres run out of steam

'“My heart is broken."' … [Read more...] about Agony of defeat

'And still, only a stellar game by Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller, who stopped 24 of 28 shots, kept this one from turning into a laugher before the halfway point. Why? Because Daniel Briere and J.P. Dumont were held without a shot, and their line mate, Jason Pominville, had just one. Because Maxim Afinogenov also managed a single shot, and that wasn’t until the third … [Read more...] about All too quickly, it&#8217s over

'At 11:22, with the 'Canes on a power play and buzzing around in the Buffalo end, the Sabres' defencemen lost sight of the puck. It seemed to sit just out of the reach of goaltender Ryan Miller for an eternity until finally, Rod Brind'Amour pounced on it and banged it into the net. "We were all yelling and screaming on the bench," said Buffalo captain Daniel Briere. "It was … [Read more...] about Sabres hopes D-stroyed

'Weight made good on a promise he'd made after Game 6, when he took a penalty that led to the Sabres' overtime winner. Weight apologized to his teammates and vowed that he would redeem himself in Game 7, which he did with a goal and an assist. Not to be outdone, Brind'Amour gave a stirring speech during a players-only meeting Wednesday and both were credited for galvanizing the … [Read more...] about Hurricanes in heaven