Archives for May 3, 2006

'The Sabres will open the second round of the playoffs Friday May 5th in Ottawa.'

'Lindy Ruff gave his team only Wednesday morning to celebrate, and then it was back to work. Less than 12 hours after they touched down back in Buffalo, the team was on the ice for a light practice shortly after noon Wednesday.'

'This group of relative no-names — discounted for being too young and for not having been in the playoffs since 2001 — has spent the entire season defying its doubters. Why change the formula now?'

'“I really think the depth of our team, the depth of our lines. The fact that scoring came from every line. …. I don’t really think you can put a finger on one of our lines and hold us back,” assessed Sabres’ coach Lindy Ruff. “The great thing about our team — and it has been all year — is that if one line is getting frustrated, there’s two or three lines that always pick us up.”'

'"I think it's a good matchup," said Senators coach Bryan Murray. "Their speed, skill and ability to play the game up and down the ice is a good matchup for us. We like to play that way."'

'Stafford is currently playing with the U.S. Men’s National Team at the World Championships in Riga, Latvia, and is the only collegian player on the roster.'

'A 2004 draft pick such as Stafford can sign for $984,200 with a signing bonus of 30 percent of the maximum annual compensation, according to the NHL's collective bargaining agreement. Performance bonuses also may be negotiated.'

'"Were definitely the underdog going in."'

'Stafford led North Dakota to consecutive berths in the NCAA Frozen Four…'.

'A team spokesperson said sales for the first two Buffalo dates, or the third and fourth games in the series, were nearly gone, and by 10:30 a.m., the sixth game was also down to single seats.'