Archives for April 2006

'Philly is an overmatched, poorly conceived team. Watching them flail around in the first two games, it was hard to fathom how they got 101 points. The greater mystery is how Bobby Clarke keeps his job as general manager. It's as if he intended to construct a defense uniquely ill-suited for the new NHL.' … [Read more...] about Flyers cursed by poorly built squad

'"I think part of it is the focus goes away from his players," Ruff said. "But I think Hitch is right. I've got to focus on my team and how I want them to play, and that's where it's all going to lie. I was emotional, he was emotional. I'm over it."' … [Read more...] about Hitchcock apologizes for his foul language

'"The Sabres are the best team no one knows about. Not many people know about our players. But they can all skate and pass and they are having career years. They're young enough to continue to have career years. There isn't a guy who can't skate and handle the puck. You can play physical hockey, but you can't hook or hold. If you take penalties, they'll eventually kill you."' … [Read more...] about Flyers must learn game has changed

'But for the Sabres, there's only one thing they must do. "We've just got to play," Roy said. "You've got to bring your level of intensity. But you can't get too excited. You've got to take it as another game."' … [Read more...] about Youthful Sabres gain experience

'Meanwhile, Adelphia hopes to reach a deal with Outdoor Life Network, which broadcasts the NHL playoffs nationally, that would temporarily place OLN on a lower channel. That would allow more subscribers to watch playoff games without having to upgrade their service.' … [Read more...] about Adelphia to televise Sabres tonight

'For those of you with Center Ice some good news. Center Ice will go with local RSN feeds which means subscribers will not have to suffer through a network changing games like TSN did last night (which caused Center Ice viewers to miss half of the 2nd and 3rd periods).' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Flyers, Game 3

'Lindy Ruff knows he's big in his city-- that's how he likes it.' … [Read more...] about Best-loved Sabre is behind bench

'"I think Hitch is right," Ruff said yesterday in the wake of the Sabres' 8-2 win over the Flyers Monday, giving Buffalo a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final. "I've got to focus on my team and how I want them to play. And that's where it's all going to lie."' … [Read more...] about Ruff turns focus away from ‘idiots’

'What is ironic about Campbell's aberrational physicality -- he had only 16 penalty minutes in 79 games this season -- is that he is the kind of player who has benefited the most from the NHL's crackdown on the clutching and grabbing and cheap-shoting that once plagued the sport. With more room to operate in "the new NHL" Campbell scored 12 goals and 44 points this year after … [Read more...] about Big hit by Campbell has Philly totally off its game

'In each game, Buffalo has gotten off to a quick start. “I think we’re mentally prepared for these games. It’s crazy to say you have to get mentally prepared for a playoff game, but it’s true. Everyone wants to go out and make a difference,” Derek Roy said. “We played at home and got some great support from our fans. Going on the road … [Read more...] about Tough talk subsides before Game 3

'Teal says should the Sabres win, he expects a lot of people to drop by Thursday about hotels, flights, and tickets to Friday's game four, when the Sabres could sweep the Flyers.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Fan Travel Not Big For Game Three

'Being a fan of Buffalo's sports teams is akin to being kicked in the gut hard, after you've been beaten down and mugged at your own party. Boston Red Sox fans used to know our plight, but now only the Chicago Cubs' beleaguered fan base recognizes our tantalizing plight. Even after a record-setting year, Buffalo sports reality rears its ugly head and footballs sail wide while … [Read more...] about Checking expectations

'Campbell doesn't look the part of the bad guy the crowd will perceive him as being. Unlike the menacing Stevens, who was put together like an NFL linebacker and had an intimidating scowl, Campbell is slightly built and could pass as the class nerd. His listed size of 6 feet and 191 pounds seems an exaggeration. Campbell has repeatedly expressed regret for injuring Umberger, … [Read more...] about Will hits keep on coming?

'The obvious question is why the Flyers felt they could wade into Game 2 after what happened in Game 1. The answer they don't want to contemplate is that they had no choice. The Sabres are that much faster and that much better. They set the tempo. They forced the issue. And they will try to do it again tonight.' … [Read more...] about The old, tired Flyers need rescue from Sabres tonight

'The flight took a little over an hour. The odyssey took 11 hours longer than that. And when it was over, after Robert Byczkowski and his wife, Angela, had sat through Monday's cancellations and delays at Newark (N.J.) Airport, after they had flown to Rochester, N.Y., and driven to their home in Buffalo, only one part of his life remained unchanged. A season ticketholder, he … [Read more...] about Missing game a real trip