Archives for April 2004

'As the Leafs were protecting a 1-0 lead in the final minute last night, Quinn deployed Kilger and Francis up front and Leetch on the back end, surely a sign he feels very confident in those recent additions.' … [Read more...] about Leafs playing with fresh commitment

'But how did he break up all those fights over the years and never miss a game? "The biggest, toughest men have a real mutual respect for one another. If they fight, they get their licks in and then eight out of 10 times they'll stop on their own. All you have to do is say, `Are you guys done?' They'll compliment one another and go to the penalty box. … [Read more...] about They whistle while they work

'Buffalo goaltender Martin Biron had to be sharp in the early going because the Leafs were dominant. He made wonderful pad saves on Nieuwendyk and Nik Antropov in the opening minutes.' … [Read more...] about Kilger's timely goal lifts Toronto

A young fellow rushed into the room with the news that the Islanders took an early 2-0 lead. An elderly Buffalo media type turned to a colleague with a weary air. We are a city of losers, so what do you expect? he growled. We are the home of wide-right, the goal that should have been disallowed, and we also raised John Wayne Bobbitt and Timothy McVeigh. And O.J. lived here for … [Read more...] about Angst always wins out in Buffalo

'``There's no good feeling about not making the playoffs, but it's one heck of a better feeling this year than last year,'' Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.' … [Read more...] about Toronto 2, Buffalo 0

'The Sabres missed the playoffs for the third straight year but gave the fans something to cheer about with a 9-2-1-3 record in March and the best record in the Eastern Conference after the trade deadline. "We gained a lot of experience," defenseman Jay McKee said. "The only way to get better is with experience and hard work, especially with the young guys. … [Read more...] about Toronto 2, Buffalo 0

'The Sabres were eliminated from playoff contention when the Islanders clinched the final berth in the Eastern Conference with a victory Friday over Carolina.' … [Read more...] about Belfour blanks Sabres; Leafs pull within one of Boston

'Toronto again out shot Buffalo in the second 11-8 but could not sneak one goal past Biron. The New York Islanders at this point had just won in Carolina 6-4 to clinch the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Eliminated From Playoffs

'Here is the CliffsNotes version: If the Sabres lose tonight or against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday, the Sabres are out. If the Islanders win tonight or against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday, the Sabres are out. If the Sabres and Islanders tie tonight, the Sabres are out.' … [Read more...] about Sabres psyched as drama gets bitter twist

'An extended campaign is the only way defensemen Alexei Zhitnik and Rory Fitzpatrick and wingers Ales Kotalik and Taylor Pyatt might be able to skate again before next season.' … [Read more...] about Wounded four hope for extension

'The Sabres have outscored the opposition, 13-3, in their past 11 first periods.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Maple Leafs

'And Ruff knows exactly where to point the finger if the Isles beat them to the wire by a nose. "You win games you shouldn't have won and lose some that you should have had," he said. "But when it comes right down to it? It's that we didn't beat the Islanders all year."' … [Read more...] about Sabres dance on thin edge of playoff blade

'But tonight, it will all end. The veteran linesman with the tough head and the big heart will work his final NHL regular-season game, the 2,500th game of a marvellous career that includes 406 NHL playoff games, 19 Stanley Cup finals, three NHL all-star games and the 1998 Olympic hockey tournament in Nagano. Fittingly, tonight's finale will pit the Toronto Maple Leafs … [Read more...] about Scapinello nears end of the line

'"[Buffalo head coach] Lindy Ruff and his staff are busy with getting the team to play a system and spend plenty of time watching video, scouting the opposition," Martin said. "There is a tremendous amount of preparation in coaching a team, and there is room for a guy like me to come in and work on a skill like shooting."' … [Read more...] about Martin's influence felt in better shooting, scoring

'''I would say I've enjoyed myself far more than I thought I would,'' Golisano said. ''It doesn't mean we don't have some real challenges, and obviously financial are some of them. ... But I think we've made dramatic improvements to this team.''' … [Read more...] about Golisano upbeat despite Sabres projected financial losses