Archives for December 21, 2002

The modern day Grinches of Hamister and league commissioner Gary Bettman have stolen Christmas from Buffalo Sabres fans. It couldn't have come at a worse time. With the city and county governments slashing programs along with jobs, getting a commitment from either the City of Buffalo or Erie County to agree to Hamister's plans seem improbable at best. … [Read more...] about Tis the season to be dismayed!

'The Sabres are 2-9-2-1 on the road, tying them with the Thrashers for the worst record in the NHL.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Canadiens

'Gary Bettman and politicians. Silly penalties and injuries. They all presented doom and gloom Friday. And if those forces weren't enough to overcome, the Florida Panthers had a goalie who refused to lose.' … [Read more...] about Tough day for Sabres

'If he could secure about $500,000 for an acoustic curtain to surround the arena's upper bowl, Hamister said, more events in the 5,000 to 7,000 attendance range could be accommodated. Promoters for smaller concerts that do not fill the arena avoid the venue now, he said, because of poor acoustics and the negative impression created by a less-than-full arena.' … [Read more...] about Hamister wants aid deal set soon

'The aid sought by Hamister and his partner, Todd Berman of Chartwell Investments, primarily takes the form of arena improvements, not cash. The end result, in their vision, is a place that offers better acoustics and the improved seating flexibility needed to draw added concert dates, which could help stem the flow of red ink from arena operations.' … [Read more...] about The Sabres deal

'“Having the team leave Buffalo may not be a negative for Rochester,” Donner said. But right now our support is with Buffalo until we hear differently.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo's woes won't affect Amerks

'The Panthers constricted the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 and now have three consecutive road wins by a combined 10-2 score. They haven't been scored on in 126:04 of road play and haven't failed to get a point in a road game since Oct. 24.' … [Read more...] about Panthers rule road with 3-0 win

'Worrell was excellent in the first. He drew one of the penalties that led to Bednar's 5-on-3 power-play goal and he set the tone 2:41 into the game by beating Sabres enforcer Eric Boulton to a pulp.' … [Read more...] about Panthers shut out Sabres

'Turning Point: J.P. Dumont and Vaclav Varada took elbowing and roughing penalties to give the Panthers a two-minute 5-on-3 in the first. Bednar scored.' … [Read more...] about Sun-Sentinel's 3 stars

'After a sluggish start, the Panthers' intensity picked up after Worrell pounded Sabres' enforcer Eric Boulton just 2:21 into the game. "That energized the whole team," Johnson said. "Anytime a guy does that you realize he's going to work for you."' … [Read more...] about Luongo stops 30 shots in Florida road win

'The Sabres have been in a state of flux since former owner John Rigas of Adelphia Cable filed for bankruptcy, leaving the team under control of the league. Former Panthers defenseman Rhett Warrener said that despite the team's slow start, the players have for the most part been able to ignore the situation. "It affected some guys earlier when they were trying to … [Read more...] about Jokinen leaves with hip injury

'The Sabres, who learned earlier in the day the team is running out of cash and is in jeopardy of moving, refused to use the distraction as an excuse. ``That's an easy out,'' Sabres captain Stu Barnes said. ``We can't say anything that happened this morning is an excuse for how we played. We won't do that.''' … [Read more...] about Panthers 3, Sabres 0

'"They played very well. They played a good game once they got the lead," Sabres center Stu Barnes said. "They really settled in and dind't stretch out the middle. They took a lot away."' … [Read more...] about Florida 3, Buffalo 0

'Coming off a disappointing 0-2-2 homestand, the Panthers once again found played well on the road, relying on Luongo to shut down the Sabres.' … [Read more...] about Florida 3, Buffalo 0