Archives for June 2006

'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

'No active player in the NHL has played more playoff games without winning a Stanley Cup than Glen Wesley. And the way the 37-year-old defenceman for the Carolina Hurricanes sees it, he'll never have a better chance than he does right now to put that streak to an end. Last night's 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final was Wesley's 162nd … [Read more...] about Wesley takes his best shot

'While CBC is barely able to contain its enthusiasm, the folks at NBC and the NHL have to be dreading the final match-up. Whether it's Buffalo or Carolina taking on the Oilers, there's a good chance this series could score the lowest prime-time ratings in U.S. television history.' … [Read more...] about NHL, NBC won’t be sharing CBC’s joy

'This was a game for the ages, 60 minutes of up-and-down hockey between two equally determined teams, one, the Sabres, woefully short of experienced players but not in heart. The Hurricanes answered in kind, and the result was a playoff thriller.' … [Read more...] about 2006 Stanley Cup: Oilers vs. Hurricanes

'Without McKee, who had been the Sabres' top defensive player and shot blocker before missing last night's game with a leg infection, Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller had his hands full. In the first two periods, he stopped 17 Carolina shots -- including a point-blank one-timer by playoff scoring leader Eric Staal -- and was helpless on the Commodore goal.' … [Read more...] about ‘Canes edge Sabres to earn Cup berth

'McKee led the NHL in blocked shots, and one of those shots eventually caught up to him. A puck that cut open his shin during the second round became seriously infected this week. The Kingston, Ont., native was treated at a Buffalo hospital on Wednesday and released, but he did not make the trip to Carolina with the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo short on defence

'Midway through the third, Buffalo defenseman Brian Campbell shot the puck over the boards, giving the Hurricanes a power play with 9:42 to play. On the man advantage, Eric Staal took a shot that got caught in traffic in front of the net and sat loose in front. Brind'Amour jumped in from the right circle to fire it past Miller.' … [Read more...] about In Rod they trust

'"There's nothing that can be said to make us feel good right now," Briere said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres mauled by injuries

In Rod they trust (Raleigh News and Observer) Goalie is 'not a kid anymore' (Raleigh News and Observer) Weight delivers (Raleigh News and Observer) Sabres mauled by injuries (Raleigh News and Observer) Good Game 7, great series (Raleigh News and Observer) Many Hurricanes have ties to Alberta (Raleigh News and Observer) A toast to the captain (Raleigh News and … [Read more...] about Friday’s Carolina Coverage

'"I was thinking that we'd been here so many times," Coach Peter Laviolette said. "I don't think being down is something that scares this team. The third period has been our period all year, and I think tonight was another example of that."' … [Read more...] about Hurricanes Advance to the Stanley Cup Finals