Archives for 2001

'The ratings had improved from abysmal to poor and that was something.' … [Read more...] about Hockey ratings poor overall but not in Pittsburgh

'To suggest that Hedberg and the Penguins have held the Capitals and Sabres to a combined total of three even-strength goals in eight games because neither of those teams has anybody who can score goals, is a slap in Hedberg's moose mask, and an affront to the other men defending the Penguins logo.' … [Read more...] about Sabres can score but not on Hedberg

'Jagr's immaturity in the past was bad enough, but his requests to be traded, his pouting, and his poor attitude are making him a good candidate to be shown the door.' … [Read more...] about Jagr trade talk not so bad after all

'The longer the Penguins last in the playoffs, the longer goaltender Johan Hedberg will be away from his wife and two young daughters in Sweden.' … [Read more...] about Hedberg missed back home

'Part of the reason Hedberg has confounded opposition shooters is he is not your typical NHL goaltender. At 5-foot-11, he is not real big and depends more on reflexes and outstanding positioning.' … [Read more...] about Pens' Moose on the loose

'If his teammates can't find a way to wake up and score in Game 3 Monday night against the Penguins in Pittsburgh, the Sabres themselves will be nothing but a memory.' … [Read more...] about Sabres look to climb big hill

'The 18,000-or-so fans who show up for the game each will be issued a set of brownish foam rubber antlers of the sort normally (!) worn by devotees of the Manitoba Moose.' … [Read more...] about 18,000 sets of antlers will greet Pens 'Moose'

'Jagr wouldn't say if he expects to play in Game 4 Wednesday.' … [Read more...] about Jagr likely to sit again Monday

'They returned home last year with just such a lead and a chance to put away the Flyers without going back to Philadelphia, only to lose consecutive overtime games. They wouldn't win another game in the series.' … [Read more...] about Penguins insist they're not relaxing with 2-0 lead

'It's estimated one playoff date at HSBC Arena brings in $1 million.' … [Read more...] about Sabres ready to cash in on post-season tickets

'And hockey fans around Buffalo know the commissioner would never compromise the integrity of the Stanley Cup playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Conspiracy theories surround Sabres-Penguins

Martin Straka, the quiet leader of the Penguins' second line, performed far better in the second game than in the opener, chipping in two assists and going plus-three on the day. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Pens Game 2 "Sharpening the Swords"

'Buffalo is 0-15 in club history when losing the first two games of a playoff series. Only 17 teams in NHL history have come back from a two-game hole. Only two teams have overcome a 3-0 deficit, and it hasn't happened in more than a quarter century. So you might say that Game Three is particularly vital to their postseason survival. Reality says it does not look … [Read more...] about 'Penned' into a corner

'"The general feeling is nothing's over," Mario Lemieux said. "It happened last year: we were up two-zip against Philly and they came back and beat us in the series. In the playoffs you're going to face some teams that are very desperate - like the Sabres on Monday. And we have to be ready to face the music every night. If not, we can get … [Read more...] about Pens bent on not repeating last year's collapse

'What we do know, however, is that the Pens are more than capable of winning without Jagr. In fact, they seem to relish it. They barely missed him after he got hurt in the final period of Game One, and they put together a solid, opportunistic effort in Game Two to take full command of this second-round series.' … [Read more...] about Pens seem to enjoy winning without Jagr