Archives for December 27, 2005

'It’s the sixth time this season Buffalo won when trailing after two periods, a number that would have seemed outrageous in the old clutch-and-grab NHL. Comebacks are so common now, players and coach don’t merely think they’ll rally, they know they’ll have a resurgence. “It’s a different frame of mind and it’s a different game,” Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell said. “Now you’re able to come back and make plays. … We know we can win these games.”'

'The Buffalo Sabres will hold an autograph session following the Panthers game on Sunday. It will start approximately 30 minutes following the end of the game and run for up to one hour. Sabres players will be seated at tables located throughout the 100, 200 and 300 levels of HSBC Arena. There will be a limit of one autograph per person, per player.'

'"We expected to be a good team, but nobody expects something like this," Ruff said. "We're almost at the point where we don't even want to talk about it."'

'"We're kind of fearless in some ways. We just find a way to win," said Sabres co-captain Chris Drury, who had a goal and two assists.'

'Leaving Miller off the Olympic team was USA Hockey's holiday gift to the rest of the world. It was proof that selection's not about what you've done lately. It's about who you know, or payback for past service, anything but the statistics that really tell the story.'

'There are only so many stalls in the Buffalo Sabres' dressing room, so when a player gets an injury-related recall from Rochester he has to have somewhere to change his gear. Still, it was somewhat ominous to see Daniel Briere's stall being occupied by Daniel Paille.'

'Miller claimed the defensive honours after leading the Sabres to two wins with a .96 goals-against average and .969 save percentage.'

'Last Monday, Miller made 33 saves and denied three of four attempts in the shootout as the Sabres edged Philadelphia, 2-1. Four days later, he made 30 saves in a 4-1 win against Tampa Bay.'

'Appearing in only 12 games this season because of injury, Miller holds an 8-4-0 record with a 2.46 goals-against average and .920 save percentage.'

'Ryan Miller, the NHL defensive player of the week, had to make just 19 saves for the win.'