Archives for May 11, 2001

'Penguin defenceman Bob Boughner, a former Sabre, understands the hard feelings on the Niagara Frontier. "With their history with the football team and obviously with the Dallas situation (Hull's goal), there's a lot of resentment from some fans here."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo is cursed again

'For the first time since Hasek arrived in a trade with Chicago in 1992, Buffalo sports fans face the distinct possibility of having no big-name stars to root for. Quarterback Jim Kelly has retired. Ex-Sabres captain Pat LaFontaine is writing books now. Defensive end Bruce Smith is a Washington Redskin. Can Hasek be next?' … [Read more...] about Sabres face uncertain summer

'Buffalo, meanwhile, ends its season having squandered a 3-2 series lead by losing the last two games in overtime.' … [Read more...] about No controversy, no advance

'Clearly, other than Sabres' fans, most of the country, particularly ABC Television and its subsidiary, ESPN, is delighted at Pittsburgh's victory. Mario Lemieux's incredible comeback and Jaromir Jagr's likely final season as a Penguin are a much easier sell for national television than, say Vaclav Varada and Dave Andreychuk.' … [Read more...] about Suddenly, it was over for Sabres

We've spent seemingly our entire lives waiting for the Sabres to score an overtime goal in HSBC Arena when it really counts, all due respect to Derek Plante. I'm tired of waiting. … [Read more...] about Famous last words o one more time

How often in history do the persecuted find freedom in the end? After being the scapegoat for the Penguins losing Game 5 because of the decision to use five forwards on a power play that yielded the tying goal, Ivan Hlinka redeemed himself under the most severe of circumstances. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Penguins Game 7 "Sharpening the Swords"

'Outshot 25-18 in regulation, the Penguins took charge in overtime, outgunning Buffalo 10-5.' … [Read more...] about Sabres check out

'The Buffalo Sabres will spend the summer wondering when it all slipped away.' … [Read more...] about The one that got away

'Darius Kasparaitis, a player known more for his ability to yap and take dives than for his golden scoring touch. Darius Kasparaitis, who entered the game with all of 20 NHL goals in his nine-year career, and just one of those in the playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Unlikely 'Kaspar' goal makes ghosts of Sabres

'Hasek couldn't wait to leave, and you could not help thinking that the greatest goalie in Buffalo history was leaving that dressing room for the final time, beaten in overtime in a decisive playoff game for the third time in four seasons. The Sabres have a $9 million option on his contract for next year, although Hasek could make their decision easy by retiring to … [Read more...] about Swift exit by Hasek may be omen

'The Penguins took control of the neutral zone and the boards during overtime, creating an array of chances that gave an air of inevitability to the eventual outcome. Whether Hedberg was a bundle of nerves waiting to be exploited was a question rendered moot by a Pittsburgh defense that never yielded the Sabres a decent scoring opportunity during the extra session. ' … [Read more...] about Penguins profit from playing Sabre-style hockey

'The Sabres had at least three future Hall of Famers on their roster. But they fell short of the prize in what might be the last solid opportunity for those aging stars: goaltender Dominik Hasek, center Doug Gilmour and left wing Dave Andreychuk.' … [Read more...] about Questions follow veterans after Cup run fails

'"The last game, we were one minute [actually, 78 seconds] away from being eliminated from the playoffs, and Mario brought his magic," Kasparaitis said. "Tonight, I did it."' … [Read more...] about Penguins best Sabres in OT win, advance to face Devils

'Having Mario Lemieux come out of retirement helped to make the Penguins a force in the Stanley Cup playoffs. And a financial success.' … [Read more...] about Lemeiux’s comeback helps team turn profit

'Jagr has two years and $20.7 million remaining on his contract. The Penguins have a choice. They can retain Jagr and lose several of their core players because they can't afford to keep them. Or they can trade Jagr, which will free up the money to keep the other players, and, at the same time, add the kind of quality talent that only one of the best players in the … [Read more...] about Jagr's stay in Pittsburgh goes overtime