Archives for 2004

'The edict from upstairs was to make the playoffs. Ruff is 32-16 in the postseason, best in team history, but it means zilch unless he makes it. We'll see what happens in the next four weeks while the Sabres play 16 straight games against Eastern Conference foes.' … [Read more...] about Ruff looks like a coaching genius, again, with Sabres rolling

'"We have too many players. We had to make a decision," Ruff said in the Air Canada Centre prior to the game with the Toronto Maple Leafs. "In the short term, it didn't work. I don't regret it. I think other guys have played better. I don't think we could support some of his play when he wasn't going good, so the other guys had to … [Read more...] about Disappointed Delmore clears waivers, heads for Amerks

'"I'm not appreciating every moment of the goal but every single minute I've been in the National Hockey League," he said last week. "I've never taken it for granted. It's just been an unbelievable experience for me. There aren't words to explain how happy I am to be here, let alone score that goal. I'm still … [Read more...] about Enthusiasm of Sabres' rookie tough guy hasn't petered out

'His lunch-bucket coaching and playing style has taken him a long way - some say too long. All told, he's a hard-working family man who is friendly,quick-witted and poignant. You might even say the same things about Buffalo.' … [Read more...] about Last Impressions

The latest benefactors of Leafs lethargy were the Buffalo Sabres, who put three goals in 15 minutes past the defensively inept club last night before another late rally salvaged a 3-3 tie. … [Read more...] about Leafs not sharp

Biron saw no reason to blame Roberts any more than any of the other net-crashers in the league. In fact, he said that while Roberts is pretty good at it, Todd Bertuzzi and Zdeno Chara give him more trouble. … [Read more...] about Open season on blue ice

Owen Nolan was being examined by a specialist at Toronto Western Hospital last night for possible eye damage after getting high-sticked on his first shift. Nolan went down to the ice kicking in pain and was helped off the ice after Buffalo Sabres defenceman Jay McKee accidentally lifted his blade into the Leaf forward\'s face after the two had been fighting for a puck. … [Read more...] about Nolan sees flashes after taking stick to eye

After allowing an uncharacteristic 80 shot total in two games against Florida and Boston, the Maple Leafs outshot the Buffalo Sabres 37-16 last night. … [Read more...] about Leafs watch

Buffalo Sabres bopper Andrew Peters concedes that everyone likes a tough guy. But they love a tough guy who can score. That is why the rookie winger gives his first National Hockey League goal on New Years Eve far more significance than his team-leading 82 penalty minutes. … [Read more...] about Sabres enforcer has goals

Slowly, general manager Darcy Regier has assembled a team with modest talent but a fair amount of giddyup and Ruff is back in the saddle. We have more guys that care here than we have had for years, Ruff said. We have got (Chris) Drury now, (Johan) Hecht, (Daniel) Briere, (Chris) Taylor, Adam Mair, Dmitry Kalinin. Max (Afinogenov) plays like he cares now. It is almost … [Read more...] about The Last Word

'Up 1-0 after one period, the Leafs and goalie Ed Belfour succumbed to three coverage mistakes. The Sabres, who entered the game with a 68-46-17 edge all-time between the rivals, scored three goals as a result. It was an excellent return from only six shots in the period.' … [Read more...] about Nolan's eye injury tempers Leaf rally to tie Sabres

'McKee's careless stickwork, the lower part of the shaft came up hard and hit Nolan on the brow ridge, ripping open an ugly gash that required 15 stitches to close. More of a concern is that Nolan started seeing what coach Pat Quinn described as "flashes" and was taken to hospital to consult with Dr. Rob Devenyi, the same specialist who treated Berard.' … [Read more...] about Maple Leafs shaken by Nolan injury

'By the time Rory Fitzpatrick pierced Belfour's five hole with a not-so-piercing wrist shot from the slot, the Sabres had built a 3-1 lead in a six-shot span that quieted the already staid Air Canada Centre crowd.' … [Read more...] about It's time to give Belfour a rest

'This left a lot of room for the Sabres to come back in the second period, thanks to some good luck and a soft goal, to take a 3-1 lead heading into the third.' … [Read more...] about Third period charge ends Buffalo's run

'``We were the better team out there, but sometimes it doesn't work your way. We're lucky we got a point,'' Stajan said.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 3, Toronto 3, OT