Archives for May 2007

'The Rangers have the potential to be watched in 12 times as many households as the Sabres do because they play in the nation’s biggest market. If the Rangers advance, the potential is much greater in New York than it is in Buffalo, where at best there is the potential of an additional 100,000 households. (Buffalo, however, also has many national fans who have left the … [Read more...] about Rangers fail to move the Nielsen needle

'But after coming within seconds of losing the game and facing elimination on Sunday, Afinogenov's exuberant display after a rare power-play goal was a thing of beauty. Until that goal, the Sabres were 3-for-28 with the man advantage, including 0-for-5 in regulation. "We hung in there," center Chris Drury said. "It took us 60 minutes to finally get (the puck) in there."' … [Read more...] about Sabres score dramatic win, take series advantage in OT

'Just eight ticks of the clock from a staredown with elimination, the Sabres now have pushed the Rangers to the brink.' … [Read more...] about Mad Max rises into role of hero

'"He does it all the time. It's pretty amazing," said defenseman Brian Campbell of Drury's goal, which ended more than 59 minutes of utter frustration against Henrik Lundqvist and sent to overtime a game the Sabres seemed destined to lose.' … [Read more...] about Drury, Afinogenov are happy to share spotlight

'“He was back to being himself tonight,” Lindy Ruff said. “He skated. He was the old Max tonight, which is what we need.”' … [Read more...] about Mad Max returns, but with help from his friends

'Nearly 5,000 packed the Party in the Plaza outside, waving pom poms and slurping overpriced suds. Nicholas Picholas was finally put to pasture. And in the third period, the Earl of Bud, who proved Pee Wee Herman had no rhythm, found his way back on the Jumbotron, proving a little gray can’t keep him from getting 18,620 fans to yell “tequila!”' … [Read more...] about Even Earl of Bud tries to help Sabres

'It was the Sabres’ only power-play goal of the night, and it caught everybody -- most of all Afinogenov -- by surprise. He said he did not know the puck had gotten past Lundqvist until he saw his teammates in front of the net break into a jig.' … [Read more...] about Winning Goal Comes From Unlikely Source

'No one can say if the Sabres can or will win the Stanley Cup this year, but if they do, we all can say they wouldn't have won it without this game. The players and their coach all talked about how appropriate this was because they had been winning games like this all season, but don't you believe them. They never had a game or a win like this in the regular season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres winners of Presence Trophy, too

'"I'd say it was a pretty soft call on Blair Betts," Shanahan said. "I'm sure he feels really bad about the play. But (the Sabres) got a penalty early in the overtime, it was a bit of a makeup call. Pretty soft."' … [Read more...] about Shanahan is critical of critical call

Sabres Steal Victory From Rangers (New York Times) Winning Goal Comes From Unlikely Source (New York Times) Blueshirt shocker (New York Daily News) Maxim-um agony (New York Post) This loss caused by panic attack (New York Post) Sabres 2, Rangers 1 (New York Newsday) Sabres winners of Presence Trophy, too (New York Newsday) Nylander's illness was passed along by family … [Read more...] about Saturday’s New York Coverage

'"He skated, he was challenging wide. He beat players. He was the old Max."' … [Read more...] about Sabres snatch win

'In an utterly electric atmosphere, an extraordinary fifth game of the NHL's best post-season series so far was played last night, a contest decided by one shot in overtime that turned a playoff dud into a full-fledged local hero.' … [Read more...] about Plucky Sabres bounce back

'The Sabres won a remarkable 14 games when they were either trailing or tied after two periods in the regular season and already in this series they have scored two wins when they have come from behind.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo pushes New York to brink

'"It's a tough loss, it's that simple," said Rangers head coach Tom Renney. "We weren't close to being the best team tonight." The Sabres were definitely the better team. But until Drury scored, they had nothing to show for their efforts.' … [Read more...] about Sabres sniper redeems himself

'The goal came just second after Rangers Blair Betts had gone off for hooking the mercurial Afinogenov. This drama was set up by Martin Straka's 40-footer with 3:17 to go in regulation and a bit of late magic from Chris Drury that spared Sabre fans serious counselling fees.' … [Read more...] about Maxim Sabre effort