Archives for 2002

'He'll turn 39 in June but plays like he has several years remaining on his 19-year career. He enjoys playing in Buffalo, understands his role and wants to return for another season. He's not willing to move his family again for the opportunity to play elsewhere.' … [Read more...] about Free agent Patrick really faces choice of re-sign or retire

'Roughly 10 percent of that critical season ticket base was lost before the 2001-02 season started. Coupled with a condensed schedule due to the NHL's Olympic participation (remember there were nine home games in October, approximately 25 percent of all home dates) and a horrible start on the ice, selling tickets became even more of a challenge. Attendance dipped, … [Read more...] about Sports' cyclical nature catches Sabres, Bills

'Geoffrey Reeds, director of sales for the Hyatt Regency Buffalo, said his hotel is definitely feeling the crunch because the Sabres didn't make the playoffs. Reeds said the final lost sales number could approach $100,000, especially if the team had gone deep into the playoffs.' … [Read more...] about Sabres failure to make playoffs hurts hospitality business in city

'"I think it's entirely possible he may have to sell the Buffalo Sabres. Why do I say that? He apparently has pledged the hockey team as collateral against his loans that he used to borrow money to buy his own stock."' … [Read more...] about Will Rigas sell Sabres, forego operations center?

'"I think the plain truth is we didn't come to play as well as we needed to a couple of times and it caught up with us."' … [Read more...] about Sabres had difficulty adjusting to loss of Hasek

The Buffalo Sabres capped off their season on a high note when they blanked the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 in Montreal. Finishing their vastly disappointing season with an impressive victory only underscores the fact that they have no one but themselves to blame for missing the playoffs for the first time since 1996. … [Read more...] about The last Hurrah for the Sabres

'The Sabres failed to reach the postseason for only the seventh time in history and the first time since 1996.' … [Read more...] about Sabres beat Montreal in meaningless final game

'In these days of pro sports, there is a certain point when the players stop listening to a coach. It's usually no fault of the coach. It looks as if the Sabres and Ruff are at that point.' … [Read more...] about Sleepwalk season may cost Ruff his job

'Here's hoping the Sabres learned something from the Peca debacle. It wasn't about numbers when it came to Peca, and it certainly isn't about numbers when it comes to Ray. The time will come when the Sabres will bid farewell to their tough guy, but now is not the time.' … [Read more...] about Ray deserves raise, not farewell party

'So, as expected, what you got in this 3-0 loss to the Sabres was non-contact hockey from one team playing its last game of the season - dedicated to getting it over as quickly as possible.' … [Read more...] about Calm before the storm

'On a night when the Sabres outshot the Canadiens 34-22, goaltender José Theodore did his best to keep the Canadiens in the game, but he didn't get much help on either of the first two Buffalo goals.' … [Read more...] about Habs just play out the string

'The victory last night was Biron's 31st of the season and that gives him one more than Theodore. There has been no mention of Biron as a Hart Trophy candidate.' … [Read more...] about Hidden Game

'Why Habs Lost: It's always a good idea to show up if a team hopes to win.' … [Read more...] about Game Report

'"Right now it's a disappointment we're not in," Biron said. "But two or three years down the road maybe we'll look at this and feel that it was a necessity, that we learned from it and never want to be in that position again."' … [Read more...] about Sabres 3, Canadiens 0

'"In the second half of the season, we were five games over .500. If we had a first half like that, we would have made the playoffs. We've been on a roller coaster ride all season."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 3, Montreal 0