Archives for May 1, 2001

'But also because for the first time in a week, the Sabres played like they did in their first-round triumph over Philadelphia.'

The Sabres' ice grip on Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals makes its way down the hallway after the second period, shuffles into the lockerroom for a breather and skates right back out for the third period without missing a beat. When momentum carries over from one period to the next like that, it's sheer hockey magic.

'All of the sudden, this is a series again.'

'Do teams think the guys in the other locker room are blithering idiots? Surely an opponent can figure out if something is wrong with a player and the severity of an injury pretty easily once he steps on the ice. If indeed, he does.'

'After outscoring Washington and Buffalo by a combined 8-2 margin in the third period this postseason, the Sabres found the net three times in the final 20 minutes last night at Mellon Arena to come away with a 4-1 win to narrow the Pens' Eastern Conference semifinal series lead to 2-1.'

'Buffalo kept the game simple, as it did in Philadelphia, as it did all season.'

'It's time to find out what Johan Hedberg is really made of.'

'The pressure was clearly on the Sabres' forwards heading into Game Three. Coach Lindy Ruff called out his forwards by name on the off day, Satan included. And he made a key adjustment for Game Three, switching Satan to the left wing opposite the speedy Maxim Afinogenov.'

'Even Jaromir Jagr couldn't say the words "charley horse" with a straight face Monday.'

'But in the end, sometimes you just need to be lucky. The Penguins were not Monday night, and the Sabres were.'