Archives for December 24, 2003

'"I don't think the streak is over for us really," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "We want to win a game."'

'"Patrick really stepped up to get the job done. The positive is that we were able to get the point out of this. We've got to do a better job … they came at us hard in the third," said Senators defenceman Chris Phillips.'

'Ray and Spezza became close friends during the club's playoff drive last year. Ray didn't get any playing time in the post-season, but Spezza was inserted into the lineup in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final against the New Jersey Devils. "He's a great kid. He really is," said Ray. "He's not like most 20-year-olds. He's a guy who really knows what he wants and he wants to get there. He understands what it takes and he's not afraid to work hard."'

'If the Sabres do decide to cut their ties with Regier, it is believed assistant GM Larry Carriere would be a top candidate. Whether former Senators captain Randy Cunneyworth, who is coaching Buffalo's AHL affiliate in Rochester, would get a shot behind the bench isn't known, but he would be a sensible choice to replace Ruff.

'The abrupt turnaround in the game provided a perfect illustration of how streaking teams find a way to stay alive in games and how slumping teams don't get the bounces.'

'“You can't feel happy,'' Roy said. “It's unfortunate they scored a couple of goals. We have to tighten our system and tighten up our game. But we worked hard and it's encouraging.'''

'The Sabres have been outscored, 17-6, in the final two minutes of periods.'

'Buffalo got a fantastic effort from rookie Derek Roy, who scored his first NHL goal and earned first star honors.'