Archives for January 7, 2007

'Don't be fooled: The best shot the Sabres have to get the goaltending that will allow the team to do what no other major Buffalo sports team has ever done rests with Miller. He's the thoroughbred; he's the one with the growth curve.' … [Read more...] about Mind games

'"There's a lot of pressure on the goalie," says Drew Miller, Ryan's brother who plays left wing for the Anaheim Ducks' minor league team in Portland, Maine. "And there aren't that many positions for goaltenders. There's only one on the ice at a time. You have to make your time out there count."' … [Read more...] about The Pressure of a Goaltender's World

'"It wasn't the prettiest game, but in the end all that matters is the win," said Sabres center Daniel Briere, who had a goal and an assist. Dmitri Kalinin, Chris Drury and Ales Kotalik also scored to make sure Buffalo didn't lose three in a row for the first time.' … [Read more...] about Sabres stop empowered Leafs

'"A team like Buffalo that's got so many small, skilled players, the only way to stop them is to start hitting them," Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Wade Belak said before Saturday night's game in the Air Canada Centre. "They have a lot of guys that's not a part of their game to be bangers. They got more goal scorers and danglers."' … [Read more...] about Opponents may try roughing it

'Leafs fans are, to the consternation of Sabres fans, a zealous, fanatical bunch. They reside in all corners of the country and pledge their unyielding support. A good number will make the trek to Buffalo this Thursday, devouring tickets at inflated prices, because it's cheaper than dealing with the local scalpers and trying to finagle their way into the Air Canada Centre. … [Read more...] about Leafs’ fans, players patiently wait for glory’s return

'Drury is the lone Sabres player you'll find on my midseason list. He's built a reputation for scoring clutch goals, but his defensive play has made a bigger difference this season. It's why he's my choice at the halfway point for the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward.' … [Read more...] about At awards time, Drury is as smooth as Selke

'Beginning Wednesday, Buffalo will play three games in four nights, starting with a road contest against Chicago and followup home dates against Toronto Thursday and Tampa Bay Saturday. Then it's off to Boston Jan. 15 with a return game against the Bruins Jan. 17. Throw in contests against Vancouver on Jan. 19 and at Montreal on Jan. 20, and the Sabres are looking at seven … [Read more...] about Inside shots

'"I can't tell you what I said because you wouldn't be able to print it. Somewhere along the lines of holy chaos." -- Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, on a near goal as the game wound down, Toronto's John Pohl hitting the side of the net despite shooting at a wide-open goal.' … [Read more...] about Notes, quotes

'The horn to signify a goal went off in the final seconds, but Toronto's John Pohl hit the side of the net despite shooting at a wide-open goal. "I can't tell you what I said because you wouldn't be able to print it," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "Somewhere along the lines of holy chaos."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, Toronto 3

'"Give Marty a lot of credit, a lot of credit," said star centre Daniel Briere, who had a goal and an assist. "It can't be easy for him. He would be a No. 1 goalie on a lot of teams in this league. He's got to be one of the best team guys I've ever been around in my career. He hasn't complained and he's done his job when called upon."' … [Read more...] about Briere, Drury power Sabres’ offence to 4-3 win over Maple Leafs

'"We needed this game to get a little bit of our swagger back," Briere said. "Our first two goals, we got them off bad bounces, and that made sure that we had a little confidence and were able to relax and settle down."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, Toronto 3

'The Sabres got out to an early lead just over four minutes into the game as Dmitri Kalinan would slap home a shot from the point on a delayed penalty. Then just 40 seconds later Chris Drury would give Buffalo a 2-0 lead.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Snap Skid With 4-3 Win Over Leafs

'"The last couple of games, it just felt like we weren't getting the bounces that we got at the start of the season," said Daniel Briere. "Toronto came out hard playing with a lot of confidence early, but we got a couple of bounces that we haven't gotten in a while. That allowed us to sit back and say, 'We're ok. Let's relax, play the way we used to play and everything will … [Read more...] about Sabres End Losing Skid at Two

'Facing a Toronto squad spurred on by their raucous crowd and capable of skating with Buffalo stride for stride, the contest became a penalty parade for the Sabres, pushing them ever so close to the cliff, before a timely goal or crucial stop by goalie Martin Biron would save them from falling over the edge into a full-blown losing streak.' … [Read more...] about Game # 42: Sabres 4, Maple Leafs 3

'The Sabres' power play was shut out for the first time in six games, finishing 0-5. And the penalty killers were touched for two more goals, on eight Toronto advantages. Buffalo has now allowed seven power-play goals the last 17 times it has been shorthanded.' … [Read more...] about Sabres end skid, slip into first overall