Archives for 2001

'"I think we've got some great leadership in that room, and if I've got to put a letter on somebody's jersey to make our team better, we're really in a sad state."' … [Read more...] about Leadership sufficient, Ruff says

With two straight losses, a 4-5-2 record in the New Year and a 14-13-3-0 mark in their last 30 games, the Sabres find themselves caught in an Eastern Conference No Man's Land, teetering seven points from first place and now just seven points from ninth and a seed on the living room couch for the playoffs. … [Read more...] about Sabres put Ruff in a straight Jacket

As he's been prone to doing recently in games against Buffalo, no matter what jersey colors he wears, veteran goalie Ron Tugnutt stuffed the Sabres on several close-in chances and really prevented any rebounds from landing at his doorstep with 22 saves. … [Read more...] about Tugnutt shines against lackluster Sabres

'At Monday's practice, Ruff pleaded with his players to give a better offensive effort. He also shuffled the lines and defensive pairings to find some long-lost spark. Despite a second-period lead on a goal by fourth-line center Erik Rasmussen and another fine goaltending effort from Dominik Hasek, the Sabres couldn't keep it together.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ offense still invisible in loss

'Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff has been requesting, demanding and pleading for two things from his team lately: passion and offensive production. He got both Tuesday night, in the form of Rob Ray.' … [Read more...] about Ray follows coach’s orders

'Geoff Sanderson and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre made triumphant returns to a city they used to call home. Neither scored a point against his former teammates, but neither cared. Both played well, and a win is a win is a win.' … [Read more...] about Jackets put on road show in Buffalo

'Serge Aubin, C, Blue Jackets: No empty-netters tonight, baby. Aubin tied the score with a wicked slap shot and redirected the go-ahead goal past Dominik Hasek. Not a bad night's work.' … [Read more...] about Game wrapup

'"We should win 90 percent of these games and we need these points," Hasek said. "If we want to compete against teams like Toronto and Ottawa we can't waste any more games like that."' … [Read more...] about Blue Jackets 2, Sabres 1

'"We have gone through it before," said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. "You have got to work to get your bounces. We've got a lot of players struggling and it's frustrating."' … [Read more...] about Columbus 2, Buffalo 1

'Only Peca, however, has accepted an invitation to play for Canada at the Sweden Hockey Games 2001, a five-team event to be played in Stockholm and Pardubice, Czech Republic, from Feb. 6 to 11. It will feature teams from Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Finland and Russia.' … [Read more...] about Peca to play in tourney but Lindros declines

'Campbell replaces Sabres defenseman Richard Smehlik, who was placed on injured reserve retroactive to Jan. 16 with a strained groin muscle.' … [Read more...] about Amerks’ Campbell gets call from Sabres

As an expansion team, the Blue Jackets have shown themselves capable of putting the sting on some teams despite their last place 15-26-4-3 record in the Central Division. … [Read more...] about Heads up! Columbus can sting like a bee

'The veteran left winger, brought aboard to help stabilize the Buffalo Sabres' power play, has petered out along with the entire unit.' … [Read more...] about Andreychuk, power play both quiet

'So much for Lindy Ruff's softer, gentler approach.' … [Read more...] about Lindy gets rough with his players

'What happens when an unstartable force meets an inconsequential object?' … [Read more...] about ‘Special teams’ will face off