Archives for April 2007

'“I just tried to take it to the net and stick my leg out there to protect the puck a little bit,” he said. “I was able to get enough time there to get a shot off. I threw it to the net and I happened to find a hole. It was good to get the first one over with. I was waiting for it for a few games.”' … [Read more...] about Rookie Stafford breaks ice with goal

'Satan signed his big contract, a three-year deal worth $12.75 million with the Isles. His departure signaled the moment the Sabres transformed from a group of individuals into a team. Buffalo became a serious threat last season, the NHL’s best team this year. Need more evidence his move to Long Island was addition by subtraction? No.' … [Read more...] about Best players proved difference in series

'“That’s the game-breaker right there,” said defenseman Teppo Numminen. “Everybody knew that was their chance and it looked like they were going to score.”' … [Read more...] about Miller saves the best for last

'“You never underestimate the power of grit and character and strong-willed people that know how to compete,” Nolan said after his team’s 4-3 defeat in HSBC Arena. “It doesn’t matter how fast you are. But if you’re a competitive son of a gun, you’ll win your share of games.”' … [Read more...] about Nolan proud of Islanders&#8217 effort

'"We needed an unbelievable save to end the game," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "That's as good as it comes."' … [Read more...] about Series stopper

'Hill, 37, had no points and a minus-1 rating in the first four games of the series. He entered Friday's game averaging 18 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time in the series, fourth most among defenseman on the club. He also had 20 hits and 11 blocked shots. "Certain things you've got to live with," Islanders coach Ted Nolan said after the game. "It's one of those things that … [Read more...] about NHL suspends Islanders Hill

'"We fought for everything we got; we had to work for everything," said Miller, whose sprawling, rolling save at the left post denied Miroslav Satan of the tying goal with 9.1 seconds remaining. "That will serve us better than if it was easier."' … [Read more...] about Sabres close out Islanders

'Some of Buffalo’s best players -- Chris Drury and Dainius Zubrus excluded -- have yet to play their best hockey, yet the Sabres coasted through the first round in five games against a competent Islanders team that entered the series with a four-game winning streak.' … [Read more...] about Sabres didn’t play well, but they still can

'Zubrus started slowly after being acquired from Washington, but shined against the Islanders, finishing with five assists. He didn’t have a point in Friday in Buffalo’s 4-3 series-clincher, but played substantial amounts on the power play and penalty kill. He’s been with Chris Drury throughout his time in Buffalo, but has really sparkled since Drew Stafford … [Read more...] about Zubrus’ grit, assists make him a worthy series MVP

Isles’ Late Comeback Falls Short, and Sabres Advance (New York Times) In Buffalo, another first-round Yash-out (New York Daily News) The juice spills on Hill, Isles (New York Daily News) Islanders Buffaloed (New York Post) Hill gets 20 game drug ban (New York Post) Isles shuffled off in Buffalo (New York Newsday) League bans Hill for drug violation (New York … [Read more...] about Saturday’s New York Coverage

'New York's stubborness and several spans of ordinary hockey by Buffalo made the set a lot closer than it looked. "This will serve us better than if we'd won easily," Miller said of the Sabres' projected path to the Stanley Cup final as the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed.' … [Read more...] about Sabres knock off plucky Isles

'The Isles did make it uncomfortably close in the third, as Trent Hunter and Chris Campoli got New York to within one goal, then Miro Satan was foiled in the crease by Ryan Miller with 10 seconds left. It would have helped if some of the scoring had shown up earlier the series.' … [Read more...] about Last-gasp Isles be damned

'"It's a shock ... I feel bad for him," Buffalo defenceman Brian Campbell said. "Our team were tested twice. It's not a nice feeling. They put you in a room, you pee in a bottle and hope there's enough there, that you put up the (right) numbers and don't have to repeat."' … [Read more...] about Hill suspended for violating drug policy

'"We definitely made it exciting for our fans, or scary for our fans," said Briere about the Islanders' third-period rally. "You don't want to see that happening. I'm just glad we ended up on top."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo shuffles off to Eastern semifinals

'"We were simply a desperate team at that point," Islanders centre Mike Sillinger said. "We finally got a couple of bounces our way because we got the puck to the net. That was something we didn't do enough of earlier in the series."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo bumps off reeling Islanders