Archives for 2003

'"The boards were different. The rink was different. It was weird to play in it," Brodeur said. "It's not the NHL. We're not used to playing like that."' … [Read more...] about Devils 2, Sabres 2

'The quality of the ice was more noticeable. It caused the puck to bounce a lot, making it difficult to complete long passes and shoot quickly. Before the game, Burns called the ice "pathetic.''' … [Read more...] about Devils odds and ends

'Golisano dedicated the game to his lifelong friend Gene Polisseni. The Irondequoit native, who died two years ago, was instrumental in the formation of youth and adult leagues in the area, and Golisano briefed his players on the role his former business associate and best friend played in his life and in the game. “He knew we’d hear his name a lot during the … [Read more...] about Sabres conquer city

'They packed 11,146 fans into Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial for Wednesday night hockey. For one November night, the city was major league on the sporting scene, and the players sensed the crowd’s excitement and energy. “It didn’t feel like we weren’t in our home rink at all,” Taylor said. “The crowd was so good tonight. We were … [Read more...] about Tie-ing one on

'As Cherry, the one-time Rochester Americans player and coach, quipped: “They should play more games here. Hell, they draw just as well as they do for most games in Buffalo.”' … [Read more...] about eHockey Night' earns high scores

'The rink crew was blameless, however. No air conditioning in the building meant no way to regulate temperature or humidity. Also, they were required to make a new layer of ice with Sabres advertising logos on Tuesday. Because the Rochester Americans played at home Monday and are home again Friday, there wasn’t time to make a complete new sheet of ice.' … [Read more...] about A grand experiment

'The Devils and the Sabres will settle back into a routine by then, but Wednesday night was special.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Visit Rochester and Give Fans a Tie

'Although the Devils praised the crowd and the energetic scene here, they will surely be pleased to return to an NHL rink. Blue Cross Arena didn't have very good ice, players said and the bounces off the boards were unpredictable.' … [Read more...] about Devils unbeaten on unusual road

'The freshly laid ice was unanimously ripped, and Sergei Brylin suffered a shoulder injury when he slammed into the new, stiff boards. It may look like the NHL turning into a traveling circus to attract fans.' … [Read more...] about Road-tough Devils keep streak alive

'Except for local hero Brian Gionta, the Devils were never thrilled about playing a regular-season game in a minor-league arena with poor ice. The game was the brainchild of Buffalo Sabres owner and Rochester billionaire Tom Golisano. Rather than protest the request from NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello chose to show some good will and … [Read more...] about Tied up in Rochester

'"Gary Bettman looked me in the eye and said, 'Tom, you realize there are financial ramifications,'" Golisano said before the game. "Even if there is a financial loss to us, and I assume there is, it's worth it. This was definitely experimental but it created so much enthusiasm and excitement we'd be remiss not having two or three games … [Read more...] about Sore Brylin will try to play tonight

'The Buffalo Sabres and the Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils made history Wednesday night in Rochester, playing the first ever NHL regular season at the Blue Cross Arena.' … [Read more...] about Historical Night

'"It's very important to the future financial strength of the team to attract more people and more advertisers," he said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Play At Rochester Arena

'Tickets were $45 and $75 a piece; fans said the price was worth it. Dave Bushart said, "It's more expensive than other games, but for the prices in buffalo it wasn't bad at all."' … [Read more...] about Sold Out Crowd for Sabres in Rochester

'Tom Golisano says he bought the Sabres in part because of Polisenni's love of hockey.' … [Read more...] about Golisano Associate Honored