Archives for 2004

'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

'Zhitnik says he can shoot with his bad shoulder, but trying to lean on a player or poke check somebody is still out of the question.' … [Read more...] about Zhitnik Out For The Weekend

'The first tiebreaker is victories, and the Sabres would own it in every conceivable tied situation.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hold their ground

'He still can control a game, to the amazement of Sabres coach Lindy Ruff, who reminisced about playing against Messier - in youth hockey. "It's amazing that he could play as well as he's playing at his age, and at times dominate the game still," Ruff said.' … [Read more...] about Messier makes Garden farewell

'"I'm a different person when I'm around them," Kadlubowski said. "I won't miss the winter nights picking them up at 1 or 2 in the morning and the snow is blowing all over the place. But seeing them and being with them is a great feeling. For me, it's been a great ride."' … [Read more...] about After 30 years, a busman's holiday

'The fans weren't rooting so much for the Rangers as they were rooting against the Sabres, who are trying to catch the Islanders for the final playoff spot in the East. While the Islanders did their part by whipping the Canadiens, the Sabres prolonged the suspense by edging the Rangers 4-3 to remain three points behind the Islanders. But there's little room for … [Read more...] about Isles fans fête rival Rangers – briefly