Archives for 2006

'"It's not a curse," Ruff bravely said of his team's predicament. "It's the way we play. I fully expected to lose some guys to injury. Did I think we'd lose this many? No. But you've got to put your body on the line to win games. They've paid a price. The way they battled, the way they faced adversity, you can hold your head up. They're a special group of guys." Yes, but not … [Read more...] about Buffalo curse lives on

'While Buffalo was one of the best power-play teams during the regular season -- it ranked third at 21.2 percent -- it stumbled along at less than 16 percent in the postseason, and was just 6-for-34 in this series. While that number might not look too bad on the surface, the reality is that the Sabres failed to cash in when it mattered most.' … [Read more...] about Blame it on the Sabres’ power play

'"It hurts big time right now," said Sabres co-captain Chris Drury.' … [Read more...] about Brind’Amour leads by example in crucial Game 7

'On Thursday night, the Sabres were the victims of a bad rule. In this case, it was the rule against shooting the puck over the glass. Brian Campbell was called on it in the third period, and Rod Brind'Amour scored the eventual game-winner on the resulting power play.' … [Read more...] about Sabres victims of a bad rule

'What will linger for Sabres fans is the sense that this series was never contested on a level playing field. Center Tim Connolly, a would-be force on the power play, never played in this series due to a concussion. Numminen's ability to move the puck - he was third on the team in power-play assists with 20 - no doubt could have helped the team's sputtering special teams. It … [Read more...] about The thin blueline

'Although the fill-ins played well, the Sabres lacked the spark -- particularly in their transition game -- to keep up with the just as speedy but far more healthier Hurricanes.' … [Read more...] about Injuries finally catch up to Sabres

'Carolina received the power play as a result of one of the NHL's newest rules. Defenseman Brian Campbell was whistled for delay of game at 10:18 after his clearing attempt sailed over the glass. "I just went to the corner and saw a guy coming, and I was just trying to throw it to Jochen (Hecht)," Campbell said. "I hit it and bounced off the check and the whistle blew. I was as … [Read more...] about Hurricanes top Sabres, advance to Stanley Cup Finals

'...with only five seconds remaining in the period, Jochen Hecht wrapped around the net and banked one off Ward to give Buffalo a 2-1 lead heading into the third. It wouldn't take long for Carolina to respond.' … [Read more...] about Canes End Sabres’ Season In Game 7

'In game seven, Doug Janik and Jochen Hecht had the Sabres leading 2-1 into the third period. Carolina got three in the third.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Season Ends

'Although posting a record of 9-0 when leading after two periods in the playoffs...'. … [Read more...] about Leaving it all on the ice

'Buffalo was game and they battled hard but with Campbell, Lydman and Fitzpatrick the only healthy experienced defensemen, the Sabres just couldn’t protect the lead. Full credit to the ‘Canes who were every bit as gutsy and gritty as the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Gritty Sabres can not overcome injuries, lose 4-2

'"We just talked about playing our game," Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff said. "It was unfortunate. They made a nice play. It was a nice pass and a good goal. It was a tough break on the puck going over the glass. This game was probably going to be decided by special teams and they got the job done."' … [Read more...] about Carolina 4, Buffalo 2

'Now the second-seeded Hurricanes are moving on while the Sabres -- the No. 4 seed in the East -- head home with the empty feeling that a season's worth of hard work went unfulfilled. "Obviously, it stings right now and it should," Buffalo co-captain Chris Drury said.' … [Read more...] about Carolina 4, Buffalo 2

'Ray Whitney jumped on a loose puck behind the net and fed it out front to fellow former Oiler Weight, who broke away from Derek Roy's check and one-timed a shot past Miller just 1:34 into the third period to tie it 2-2. Then came the winner, Brind'Amour pouncing on a loose puck in the slot with Sabres defencemen Toni Lydman and Rory Fitzpatrick unable to locate … [Read more...] about Brind'Amour scores winner, Hurricanes knock off Sabres 4-2, head to Cup final

'It’s no surprise the Eastern Conference final stretched to a winner-take-all Game 7. The two teams are about as evenly matched as possible. Both teams had 52 regular-season wins. One goal has decided five of the first six games. Most hockey observers agree they’re clones, the prototype for success in the post-lockout NHL with their speed, goal-scoring ability … [Read more...] about It&#8217s ewinner takes all&#8217 for Sabres, Hurricanes