Archives for 2006

Buffalo at Ottawa (AP) High-flying Senators begin conference semifinals vs. Sabres (Sportsticker) (4) Buffalo Sabres (0-0) at (1) Ottawa Senators (0-0) (The Sports Network) Quick start crucial for Sabres (CBC Sports) No underdogs in Senators-Sabres series (CBC Sports) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Game Previews

'“I’ve been saying since the new year started, people were excited in the city everywhere I went. You sensed the atmosphere. People are excited and they’re pumped about their hockey team,” he said. “The last couple weeks walking around town, going to restaurants, you can tell people are excited. It’s fun to be part of it. I’m not … [Read more...] about Briere realizing Buffalo’s warmth

'Paul Gaustad will always remember his first NHL playoff experience, playing in front of 20,000-some fans. His ears won’t let him forget -- they might still be ringing. “It was really loud,” says Gaustad, whose Buffalo Sabres beat Philadelphia 4-2 in the first round and face Ottawa starting tonight. “It was so loud (in Philly and Buffalo) that … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk prepares for lengthy playoff

'"We needed one centerman to move over, and we decided that we would do it with Derek," Ruff said. "Derek had played some wing in Rochester, and I thought maybe his speed and being creative would be an asset on that line. Plus, he's responsible defensively."' … [Read more...] about Roy gives Drury-Grier pairing some legs

'In the spring of 2003, the Coyotes dealt him to the Sabres for Chris Gratton, who is the antithesis of Briere, a large man who played smaller. In retrospect, it was a steal, a deal that began to transform the Sabres franchise. Nothing has been quite the same since. Briere justified the trade from the moment he arrived. He became a star in 2003-04, a popular figure on and off … [Read more...] about Briere plays with the heart of a giant

'Ruff thought he was walking to the unemployment line a few years ago. He'd just finished his second consecutive losing season, a new owner was coming in and Ruff was sure the Sabres would be holding a news conference telling fans they were "going in a new direction." But owner B. Thomas Golisano quickly came to respect Ruff, and calls for the coach's firing were ignored.' … [Read more...] about Ruff makes short-list for NHL’s Coach of Year award

'"Ottawa, yeah, they've got some speed, they've got some skill. We're well aware of that," Miller said. "But I think we do, too. We just have to go out and execute a game plan, and I think the game plan we have in place and the skill we have in this locker room, we can get the job done."' … [Read more...] about A series where the defense never rests

'"I think we really gained a lot of experience as a team, most specifically for the young guys," defenseman Jay McKee said Thursday. "I think that our first series had a lot of twists and turns in it from being ahead two games to having pretty much a must-win situation in Game Five here at home. It was physical. It had a lot of speed to it. It really had everything, momentum … [Read more...] about Young team reaps benefits of some first-round hiccups

'Unless Miller steals games early in the series, the Senators will win in seven.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Senators

'"We already know them really well. There's not a lot of surprises out there. But we really respect their lineup and special teams, and a big factor is going to be staying out of the box. We know we're a good team when we play an aggressive game. But we know if we don't, they can be a dangerous team as well."' … [Read more...] about Senators vow to raise bar for Sabres

'While many suggest the Senators have an advantage over the Sabres because they have a superior defence corps, Miller begs to differ. He says the players in front of him have been outstanding, and he can't say enough about the shot-blocking talents of teammate Jay McKee. "Jay is just a great defenceman. He's committed to blocking shots and that reflects his will to win. Some … [Read more...] about Sabres hope it’s Miller time

'The current edition of the Sabres carries the kind of mix that the 1974-75 squad had, perhaps with a little less offensive explosion. The present Sabres are about as close to the kind of mix that the 74-75 team had... a multitude of scorers, a sound defense and quality goaltending.' … [Read more...] about Sabres defining a new era

'"You definitely have an advantage when you're playing at home," Buffalo center Tim Connolly, the former Erie Otter, said following Sunday's Game 5 win. "The crowd is on your side, and they can give you a little bit of a boost. So it's always tough to go in someone else's building." But, Connolly said, "if we play the way we … [Read more...] about Sabres focus on wins, not rink

'Clearly the Senators are not the one-line Flyers, who had no chance to win if Peter Forsberg, Simon Gagne and Mike Knuble didn't outscore the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Senators spell speed

'The only player on the Sabres current roster drafted in the past three years is winger Thomas Vanek. The hot rookie goalie, Ryan Miller, was a draft pick seven years ago. Jay McKee and Martin Biron were first-round picks taken by John Muckler 11 years ago. "Like I said, you have to be patient sometimes and you have to have some good fortune," Regier said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres GM deserves credit