Archives for November 17, 2002

The Wings, rather than claim him off waivers, thereby assuming responsibility for the entire remainder of his $1.425 million salary for this season (about $1.05 million), negotiated a lower salary with Woolley. He agreed to trim $133,000, which can be recouped with player and team incentives.

'"Different nights it's different things going wrong," Sabres winger Rob Ray said. "Obviously the power play is struggling quite a bit, but you can't pick out a reason why. If you could we'd fix it."'

'How does it feel to go from poor man's trash to rich man's treasure?'

'Once upon a time, the Sabres thought they could win every game. They exceeded expectations for years because their all-world goalie made them expect more than they ever imagined themselves. This season, everything has worked in reverse.'

The Senators tied the game two minutes into the second period, when Fisher finished off a pretty feed from defenceman Chris Phillips, who led an odd-man rush. The goal also killed the Sabres spirit.

This season, the Buffalo Sabres have the perfect initials. The franchise has been as deep in B.S. as the city will soon be in snowdrifts.

We just kept going at them and I thought we were able to wear them down.

The cherry on top of an unexpected Saturday night treat of a game, their fight was so good it was shown on the replay scoreboard. The leagues officiating supervisors will want to see the tape later themselves, especially the part where Mair started beating Neil over the head with the Ottawa players own helmet.

The NHL has hired former league VP Steve Soloman to handle the bids for the Buffalo franchise and help in the day-to-day workings of the operation.

'"Things are pretty tough in Buffalo right now," Woolley said. "To come into this situation, it's obviously pretty exciting."'