Archives for June 2006

'Among Mayor Charles Meeker's solemn duties Friday was to keep from gloating when he called Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to offer condol -- er, congratulations -- on a well-fought, spirited hockey series. Now it's time to collect on the bet. Meeker bet 3 pounds of Carolina 'cue on Raleigh's Canes against 3 pound of Buffalo wings.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo wings just appetizer

'I’m already looking forward to next season, even though I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t quite ready for this one to end.' … [Read more...] about A Sabres Season Unlike Any Other

'"A lot of times we got those penalties and big power play goals scored for us," says Sabres co-captain Daniel Briere. "It went against us tonight. We're not going to use an excuse. We lost. We lost. That's the end of it."' … [Read more...] about Sabres Talk About Season-Ending Loss

'The Sabres made for a nice story, but they lost; and frankly, the better, more experienced team won. I don't really care how hard the Sabres tried because I know the 'Canes tried equally hard and I might add that Carolina added some of that much needed depth and it certainly helped in securing the win.' … [Read more...] about Tried and tested

'And, as for Sabres fans still bitter about their ultimate fate in these playoffs, why not get over it and stop complaining about injuries. There’s no doubt that your team was ravaged along the blue line, but it’s not like Denis Potvin, Paul Coffey and Bobby Orr were out of the line up. Kalinin, Numminen, Tallinder, and McKee were all good players, but they … [Read more...] about A Few Final Words and a look forward…

'Miller should wonder out loud why he wasn’t pulled for the extra attacker following the Williams penalty and less than 2 minutes on the clock. There is no Game 8.' … [Read more...] about Wrapping Up Game 7

'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