Archives for February 2003

'The win gave the Devils at least one point in 13 straight games and tied a National Hockey League season-best eighth straight home victory. Like the proverbial tree falling in the forest, they did it in front of a crowd of 10,598, the third-smallest this season.' … [Read more...] about Nieuwendyk carries load

'Buffalo is 3-15-5-2 when its opponent scores first.' … [Read more...] about Devils 4, Sabres 1

'"Tonight, we were awful. I wouldn't judge our team on tonight's game," Ruff said. "I could live with their chances if they outworked us, but to just toss 'em easy chances off of our giveaways and our turnovers, we didn't have a chance of winning."' … [Read more...] about New Jersey 4, Buffalo 1

'Golisano's initial bid was rejected mostly because, in comparison with Hamister, Golisano was offering $13 million less in guaranteed money to Adelphia. It's unclear whether Golisano is willing to restructure his offer.' … [Read more...] about Golisano making progress in renewed bid for Sabres

They will blame the politicians, the lawyers, Adelphia, the bankruptcy courts and even the news media, but the truth is that the Mark Hamister bid for the purchase of the Buffalo Sabres failed because of a lack of commitment, and a lack of candor, on the part of Hamister and his partner, Todd Berman. … [Read more...] about Lack of commitment and candor doomed bid

'Tom Golisano had his fanny kicked in his race for governor, but when it comes to business, he’s usually the fanny-kicker and not the kickee.' … [Read more...] about In the wings

'Unless Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano can come up with a workable game plan to keep the 33-year-old franchise alive, the Sabres could be relocating or even folding after this season.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo may be latest to lose NHL team

Like Punxsutawney Phil, Buffalo Sabres' General Manager Darcy Regier crawled out of his hole over the weekend, speaking his mind in both the Buffalo News and an extended television interview. While the prognosticating groundhog's shadow foretold of six more weeks of winter, Regier's comments foretold of many more weeks of the same old thing. … [Read more...] about Regier's words may explain his lack of action

'New Jersey traditionally is one of the NHL's best, and this season is no different. The Devils have won two straight games and went 11-2-1-1 in January.' … [Read more...] about Miller seeks better result in return to Jersey

'The last-place Sabres haven't had many wins this season, but Warrener missed most of them. The team is 6-17-5-1 with Warrener and 9-7-2-3 without him.' … [Read more...] about Warrener, Gratton expected to play Friday vs. Canucks

'The Devils are the only team with fewer than 100 goals allowed.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Devils

'The toughest nut was his request for state refinancing and backing of the $21.4 million remaining on the HSBC Arena concession loan. Many viewed that as an attempt to use taxpayer money to bail out scandal-tarred Adelphia, the team's biggest creditor.' … [Read more...] about Hamister out; Sabres deal is adrift

'Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, directed his wrath at Gov. George E. Pataki and his top economic adviser. "Charlie Gargano fumbled the puck," Silver said. "The financiers pulled out when, sitting in his ivory tower in Manhattan, he said the state would not provide any assistance to Hamister."' … [Read more...] about From mayor to fans, a feeling of frustration

'The fact is this town needs the Sabres, and it needed someone to save them. If you're opposed to throwing public money at sports teams, and if you think we'd be better off with an AHL team, so be it. But if you treasure your NHL team and can't bear to see it leave town, you should at least give Hamister credit for giving it his best shot.' … [Read more...] about As Hamister 'fades away,' what's next?

'There's no guarantee the Sabres will be staying in Buffalo. While NHL vice-president Bill Daly said yesterday the league was looking for an owner to keep the team in Buffalo, it might be difficult to find someone who shares that commitment.' … [Read more...] about Sabres' future murky