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."'

'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?'

'Buffalo, meanwhile, ends its season having squandered a 3-2 series lead by losing the last two games in overtime.'

'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.'

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.

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.

'Outshot 25-18 in regulation, the Penguins took charge in overtime, outgunning Buffalo 10-5.'

'The Buffalo Sabres will spend the summer wondering when it all slipped 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.'

'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 his native Czech Republic.'