Archives for 2006

'“Certainly, we didn’t play very well in the second period,” Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres shine in second period, regain series lead

'In a game the Sabres had to have, a game that followed the team’s worst playoff outing, Briere was one of the many who stood tall in the corners, buried the shots he needed to, and put the Sabres back in the series lead. But he wasn’t alone.' … [Read more...] about Briere, Jillson measure up for Buffalo

'“This is about how entertaining the product is on the ice,” Bettman said. “We couldn’t really ask for anything more, We don’t really care what markets are involved.”' … [Read more...] about Bettman has no problem with the &#8217Canes and Sabres

'He was by no means spectacular, finishing with a plus-minus rating of -1 in 10:31 of ice time. Jillson, however, balanced a Buffalo blue line reeling from injuries to Dmitri Kalinin and Teppo Numminen.' … [Read more...] about Jillson passes first test

'Two days after the Carolina Hurricanes reclaimed their turf in Game 2, the Sabres -- specifically the line of Daniel Briere, Jochen Hecht and J.P. Dumont -- responded to coach Lindy Ruff's challenge.' … [Read more...] about Briere throws 1-2 punch

'Ladies and gentlemen, what we've got ourselves here is a gen-u-ine playoff series.' … [Read more...] about This one far from over

'"I think everything happens for a reason," Wesley said yesterday before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final. "Coming back here, going through the lockout and rebuilding this team in the new NHL, no one was sure how it would work out. But it obviously did."' … [Read more...] about Return to Carolina worked for Wesley

'"If we're going to win, they need to play like that," said Ruff, who wants the line to be one that dictates play. "The challenge is just to rise to the occasion. It isn't a personal challenge. (Game 2) wasn't good enough."' … [Read more...] about Sabre stars stop Canes

'As in all their playoff wins, speed played a big part. This time it was in the form of captain Daniel Brière, who zipped past the Hurricanes for two key second-period goals that put the game in the Sabres' hands.' … [Read more...] about BriEere helps Sabres find their game

'After the Sabres were outshot by the Hurricanes in Game 2, Ruff had said Buffalo's top players would have to be better. They were.' … [Read more...] about Sabres shooters step up

'"You can be great in junior but you once you make the next step, it's a whole new game," Sabres teammate Jay McKee says. "If you don't make the best of when you do get the chance, guys can slip through the cracks pretty easy. Because for that one guy there's always five, 10, 20 guys behind him ready to take his job."' … [Read more...] about Briere making the most of his time

'"As much as you want him back, you don't want to mess with a guy's future," McKee said of Connolly, who has five goals and 11 points in eight games. "I'm sure he plans on having a family. He doesn't want to end up being one of those guys who's walking slow and talking slow because he risked playing."' … [Read more...] about Connolly urged not to rush back

'"This is about the quality of play. This is about how entertaining the product is on the ice. We couldn't ask for any more," he told reporters in Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Lack of large-market success in NHL playoffs not at all a problem, Bettman contends

'Daniel Briere, Jochen Hecht and J.P. Dumont were put on notice more was expected and responded with a dominant performance last night, especially for much of the second period, as Buffalo built a 4-1 lead on the way to a 4-3 win and a 2-1 series lead.' … [Read more...] about Sabres up to the mark

'The Sabres were down to employing the No. 9 defenceman in their organizational depth chart, Jeff Jillson, for last night's third game against Carolina. They already had No. 7, ex-Bulldog Rory Fitzpatrick, playing as a No. 4 for mainstay Dmitri Kalinin, whose fractured ankle will keep him out a while yet, and used No. 8, Doug Janik in place of Teppo Numminen in Game 2, before … [Read more...] about Big ‘D’ rears its ugly head