Archives for 2002

'Bettman said a closing date likely would come in the first three months of 2003. The NHL's Board of Governors still must approve the sale.' … [Read more...] about Bid for Buffalo Sabres accepted

'``We will work with Mr. Hamister to conclude the transaction as quickly as possible,'' he said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Sold to Arena League Team Owner Mark Hamister

'Hamister made his fortune in the nursing home and medical insurance industry and is already involved in the Buffalo-area sports scene as owner of the Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League. He was known to have met with Bettman as late as last Tuesday in Buffalo. Those meetings were said to be productive. Hamister also spent that evening taking in the Sabres-Boston … [Read more...] about It’s Official. Hamister to Own Sabres

'Hamister, who owns the Buffalo Destroyers of the Arena Football League as well as two other minor league football teams, is expected to discuss the sale at a news conference Thursday.' … [Read more...] about NHL accepts Hamister bid for Sabres

'In the end, Hamister's bid, said to be in the neighborhood of $60 million, won out over Golisano's - largely because of the money he was able to put up-front for the team. Golisano sources say he was concerned about having enough for operating costs of the franchise and was unwilling to up his bid significantly.' … [Read more...] about Hamister gets the Sabres

'Miller made 21 saves in his NHL debut and, despite the loss, looked rather comfortable in net.' … [Read more...] about Niedermayer spoils Miller's debut as Devils keep Sabres on the skids

'The sudden flurry of phone negotiations was ignited by the long-awaited submission of Golisano's official offer. While Hamister presented his acquisition package to the league in mid-September, the failed gubernatorial candidate's bid was not submitted until Monday. Once the two offers could be weighed side-by-side, league officials were finally in a position to … [Read more...] about Talks to purchase Sabres heat up

'"I'm happy with the win," Burns insisted. "I'm happy with the comeback. I'm certainly not happy with the first 40 minutes of the game."' … [Read more...] about Burns gives sluggish Devils a jolt

'"With all the suspensions and the stuff that he does, you would think the referees when they see a guy like me that usually doesn't do anything and react like that, it's weird that they don't see [what Varada did]," Brodeur said.' … [Read more...] about Brodeur turns to rough stuff

'The Devils scored on three consecutive shots in the third period, erased that two-goal deficit and eventually finished off a wild 4-3 victory when Scott Niedermayer scored 1 minute 23 seconds into overtime at Continental Arena.' … [Read more...] about After Lackluster Start, Devils Pull Fast One on Sabres

'What the Devils did in the third period last night was pure magic. They turned a two-goal deficit into a 4-3 overtime victory over the Sabres. What they did in the first two periods, though, was the same thing they've done twice before at home against seemingly inferior teams: pull a disappearing act.' … [Read more...] about Devils get win, but Pat Burns

'In their desperation to snap their losing streak, the Sabres called up 2001 Hobey Baker winner Miller and gave him his first NHL action.' … [Read more...] about Devils chow down on Buffalo stakes

'It was a sensational come-from-behind triumph before a crowd of 11,841, but the Devils might not have been so fortunate had they not been playing a Sabres team with virtually no confidence. Buffalo is now winless in 12 games (0-9-2-1), including seven straight losses.' … [Read more...] about Expert Niedermayer finishes job

'"Varada came in and hit me hard in the mouth," Brodeur said. "I took off my mask and was biting my glove. It hurt. When I signed up for goalie, it was a non-contact sport."' … [Read more...] about Varada brings out Brodeur's feisty side

'"When you've got to pull rabbits out of your butt all the time," Burns said, "that's not the way to play the game."' … [Read more...] about Devils rally in third, win in OT