Archives for 2003

'19,000+ fans, Buffalo's second sellout of the season, were in attendance for the division rivalry game. The intensity and excitement for this game could be felt throughout the entire stadium.' … [Read more...] about Pruning the Leafs

'"I thought the building was electric. That might be as good a game as you're going to see. On a skating standpoint, a hitting standpoint, a transition (standpoint), you wish hockey games could be like that every night."' … [Read more...] about Hostile 'road' crowd quieted by Sabres victory in Buffalo

'"I think he has a lack of confidence right now, that he is really pressing, where sometimes he could be shooting and isn't shooting," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.' … [Read more...] about No offense earns Delmore a seat

'"We seem to bring out the best of these guys at home, that's for sure," understated Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, who had a quiet night with the puck. "I don't know if it's because of all the Toronto fans in the building, but they certainly always play well against us here."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo still gives Toronto the blues

'Exactly why Leafs fans torture themselves by making the trip over the border is not clear. Many of the 18,690 in attendance were Leafs supporters, and even chanted Ed Belfour's name on a couple of occasions. Yet the Leafs dropped to 2-13-3 at HSBC Arena since it opened in 1996.' … [Read more...] about A horror show

'Satan, meanwhile, had his own issues with referees Don Koharski and Craig Spada. The Sabres captain was livid at being tagged with a holding-the-stick penalty with 3:11 remaining, and his subsequent protests resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.' … [Read more...] about Traffic jams irking Eagle

'"Patience is key," coach Pat Quinn said when asked if a roster upheaval was needed. "Panickers both on and off the ice never seem to come out on top."' … [Read more...] about Mats' stats are dim

'The joint always is lively whenever the Leafs come to town, but there seemed to be a slight increase in Toronto supporters in the building last night. Part of that can be attributed to the Sabres' recent marketing scheme aimed at attracting Canadian fans from the Niagara Peninsula.' … [Read more...] about Maple Leafs Watch

'"We're late to the puck, we don't keep it in (their zone), our forecheck is not strong and we don't cover well in our zone," coach Pat Quinn said in a blanket condemnation of what he had just witnessed. "These are miscues you don't expect from veterans. We have to get better. We're playing soft."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo horror

'"It's inside my pads and the referee has no vision of it," Belfour said. "He's supposed to blow the whistle. That's the rule. It was a screw-up call by the referee and very disappointing."' … [Read more...] about Belfour demonizes ref over Satan's game-winner

'The Leafs stopped hitting in the second period and instead reverted to their old habit of taking unnecessary penalties, giving the Sabres three power-play opportunities.' … [Read more...] about Toronto shuffled off by Buffalo

'"This is the only time this place is electric," one press-box veteran said, as the crowd warmed up by alternately cheering and booing someone from Buffalo, advertised as the lead singer for some rock band, who butchered both national anthems. Memo to you, too, pal: Get some vocal lessons. And learn how to memorize lyrics.' … [Read more...] about Just no defence for state of affairs in Maple Leaf land

'``I think we're getting an idea of what we can be,'' Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. ``The team has really played well offensively.''' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 5, Toronto 3

'"I like what I'm seeing now," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "I said I didn't really know what we were, but we're getting an idea of what we can be. Guys like playing with each other, guys have some chemistry now."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 5, Toronto 3

Tonight’s contest will mark Buffalo’s 131st game against Toronto ... The Sabres are 67-46-17 against the Maple Leafs and Buffalo is 3-5-2 against the Maple Leafs in the last 10 meetings but is 7-1-2 in the last 10 contests at HSBC Arena … [Read more...] about Pregame Warmup: Sabres vs. Toronto