Archives for 2006

'"You try to find every motivation you can, especially this far (in the playoffs)," Sabres winger Jason Pominville said. "We're looking forward to (Game 7). We're going to be ready."' … [Read more...] about Making them pay

'"Lindy Ruff has a lot to say, doesn't he?" Ward said. "It's impressive. It's tough to respond to the guy when he's not out there playing the game. He can say whatever he wants to the media to motivate his team. It doesn't matter to us."' … [Read more...] about Ruff aims to burst bubbles

'"Just watch his shifts and you see how hard the kid worked," said coach Lindy Ruff. "He paid the price in a lot of different areas. If [the Carolina coaching staff] didn't show the film of him scoring the short-handed game-winner against Ottawa, they probably should have because that's a pretty strong move to the net."' … [Read more...] about ‘Canes not happy to say hello to Jason

'That's why today is going to seem longer than the darkest, coldest day in February. That's why 7:30 won't arrive until what feels like midnight. This is it, Game Seven of the Eastern Conference finals, the culmination of a tense, taut and tantalizing series that has brought hostilities between the Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes to a rolling boil. Six games of drum roll and now … [Read more...] about Sabres, WNY happily share a common fate

'"It's very intense and nerve-racking," said Pagano, 51, who works in accounts payable at Delaware North Cos. "I've followed the Sabres since their inception. We've been through a lot of finger-chewing and knuckle-biting. You can't even go to the bathroom, because you never know what you're going to miss."' … [Read more...] about ‘Dream and Believe’ becomes must-see TV

'"I've got a lot of months of rest in these legs so I'm energized and ready to go," Mair said Wednesday. "We're going in with a game plan to try to get the puck deep and control play, finish hits and create energy that way. I'm just trying to finish my hits and keep my legs moving."' … [Read more...] about Mair’s return to lineup adds some pop to fourth line

'Weather the early storm. Home-ice advantage only counts until natives get restless.' … [Read more...] about Scouting report

'Kane, a Lockport landlord who had been fighting a $100 fine for violating a city garbage ordinance, paid it Wednesday rather than risk being jailed and missing tonight's seventh game of the Buffalo Sabres-Carolina Hurricanes playoff series. After his conviction in February, Kane repeatedly had said he would be willing to go to jail rather than pay the fine imposed on him. … [Read more...] about Sabres’ win leads to a fine decision

'As far as Rory Fitzpatrick is concerned, the Buffalo Sabres have already tackled this obstacle. "We faced elimination last night (Tuesday). That was a Game 7 for us," the Sabres defenseman said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres are sure, ‘Canes cranky

'Pominville scoffed at the idea he's putting himself in danger to draw a boarding penalty, and maintained he was unaware that Weight was bearing down for the hit on the end boards in the Sabres zone. "I never saw him coming," Pominville said. "I don't think I'm a diver. I've never been called for diving."' … [Read more...] about Maybe Jason should introduce himself

'The Carolina Hurricanes left HSBC Arena a rattled bunch Tuesday evening, crying about how the referees cost them a chance to clinch the Eastern Conference finals against the Buffalo Sabres. "I'd be running for the Zamboni doors, too. It's unbelievable," Hurricanes defenseman Aaron Ward said about the men in stripes.' … [Read more...] about Controversial calls are even, so may the best team reach finals

'Pominville said he didn't see Weight coming. It's a convenient story, but if a player carrying the puck behind his own net doesn't know where the opponents are -- especially the opponent closest to him -- his tenure in the league isn't likely to be a lengthy one. In fact, Pominville made a similar move earlier in the game. The Carolina checker that time was Niclas Wallin who … [Read more...] about Sportsmanship hard to enforce

'"I remember winning the Eastern Conference in Toronto (in 1999)," Ruff said. "We didn't have champagne, but we shook the hell out of the Diet Cokes, I'll tell you that. Why would you want a gag order? It's supposed to be fun, isn't it?"' … [Read more...] about Bench brawl heats up

'The 23-year-old also plays with such distracting determination on the ice that he becomes a target for opposition checkers. He was in the eye of the Hurricanes all through Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final, drawing three other penalties apart from the Weight infraction. He was so effective that the Canes, Weight included, were accusing him of diving after the game.' … [Read more...] about Pominville: From Buffalo’s ‘spare part’ to the top line

'"Lindy can't stop his tongue from wagging. I now understand why in previous series some of the other coaches [such as Ken Hitchcock of the Philadelphia Flyers] responded in the manner they did."' … [Read more...] about Ruff fuels Sabres’ motivation