Archives for December 2002

'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

'The financially troubled Buffalo Sabres are in jeopardy of folding or leaving the city after this season unless state and local governments help out a pair of prospective buyers, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Friday.' … [Read more...] about Bettman: Sabres could be out of Buffalo without help

If there was ever any doubt that the NHL is playing hardball with Western New York when it comes to the Buffalo Sabres' financial situation, it was removed on Thursday, when Joel Giambra and Tony Masiello were summoned to the throne, er, the office, of Gary Bettman for a lecture on fiscal realities, NHL-style. … [Read more...] about Joel, please tell Gary it's your team, shove it

'"We've got a lot of jobs, a lot of sales tax, $48 million worth of payroll," Masiello told reporters on his return to Buffalo of the importance of the retaining the hockey team. "You have a major facility in the heart of our economic development in the Inner Harbor."' … [Read more...] about Bettman meets with Masiello, Giambra on Sabres

'"The more he plays it's usually the better he plays. He wants to play every second shift, and he's got the wheels to do it."' … [Read more...] about In no time at all, Zhitnik makes his presence felt

'The Panthers are unbeaten on the road in regulation since Oct. 24, going 3-0-3-3.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Panthers