Archives for May 24, 2006

'The Sabres have been a little off-key without their No. 1 defenceman, who is troubled with a groin injury. They have lost three of four games when Numminen has been forced out of the lineup, including Monday night when the Carolina Hurricanes evened the Eastern Conference final 1-1.' … [Read more...] about Sabres cope with life without Numminen

'"I don't think anyone wants to get into that game with Lindy," said Carolina defenceman Glen Wesley. "I believe we're honest players and guys who are going to get caught diving are going to pay a penalty from the league ..."' … [Read more...] about Hurricanes grow tired of Ruff’s old tricks

'"Our game was grinding to a halt with all the hooking and holding. You look back at old tapes and wonder why we didn't fix it sooner."' … [Read more...] about Speed and skill suits Sabres

'They excel not only at finishing 2-on-1 rushes but, more importantly, at manufacturing them in the first place. However, the Sabres aren't a good hockey team because they create 2-on-1s. Rather, they create 2-on-1s because the team plays good hockey. Conversely, when the Sabres aren't piling up the odd-man rushes, it's because they aren't playing their best game or aren't … [Read more...] about Sabres take blame for 2-on-1s drought

'Hamilton's rugged Adam Mair, who would give the Sabres a huge lift against a larger team like Carolina, visited doctors in Pittsburgh yesterday for final clearance to play, after suffering a concussion late in the season. "If he's cleared, he's available," Lindy Ruff said yesterday. When contacted Mair at dinnertime last night, he was just returning from the two-hour battery … [Read more...] about Sabres Notebook

'My columns on the Hurricanes-Buffalo Sabres series are running in The Buffalo News and, judging from my e-mail inbox, everybody who reads the News' sports pages is an expert. They don't have expert opinions. They're experts about having an opinion.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo home to hockey experts

'"They've got the pressure on them now," Hurricanes defenseman Niclas Wallin said. "We've got to go up there and play our road game, which has been pretty good, obviously."' … [Read more...] about Advantage, Sabres

'Hockey is not a sport with an abundance of black players, and Grier said he did suffer at times. "Growing up, there were situations and stuff I had to deal with -- some racial slurs, stuff like that," he said. "I always had good coaches and teammates who were supportive and made me feel comfortable. And my family was always there for me, as well."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Grier takes a different path

'The Buffalo Sabres defenseman and his two siblings moved to Greensboro in 1977 so his mother, a university professor, could spend a year doing research into child development.' … [Read more...] about Numminen on familiar turf

'There was a subtle but significant change during Game 2. When Eric Staal and Cory Stillman had breakaways on Ryan Miller, both stickhandled themselves into the ice trying to beat him. Mental advantage: Miller. But Justin Williams' goal in the third period was one Miller should have stopped, and he nearly gave up another soft goal when he couldn't hang onto a glove save later … [Read more...] about Five points

Advantage, Sabres (Raleigh News and Observer) Buffalo home to hockey experts (Raleigh News and Observer) Ward primed for next road test (Raleigh News and Observer) Numminen on familiar turf (Raleigh News and Observer) Sabres' Grier takes a different path (Raleigh News and Observer) Five points (Raleigh News and Observer) A look at the playoffs, on and off the ice (Raleigh … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Carolina Coverage

'The Raleigh News and Observer reported that police arrested four fans Saturday and two more Monday, on charges that include assault, fighting and damaging property. By our count, that adds up to a minor, major and game misconduct on the ice.' … [Read more...] about Playoff fans on thin ice

'Game 3 might be a physics lesson as much as a hockey game as both teams look to transform energy into a powerful force. The Sabres are hoping to feed off a crowd that should be pumped up about seeing a conference final in Buffalo for the first time since 1999. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes' confidence level was spiked by a dominance in Game 2 that was far more significant than the … [Read more...] about Sabres, Hurricanes seek edge in tied series

'Adams, 31, didn't grow up to be Perreault or LaFontaine. On the Hurricanes, he plays more like Don Luce, the scrappy former Buffalo player. Adams is an important role player. "Absolutely, but at the time no one thinks they are going to be that guy," Adams said, chuckling. "Everyone thinks they are going to be the star. I was Gilbert Perreault on the pond. It was a great place … [Read more...] about For Adams’ family, a playoff quandary

'Jerry Darlak and the Touch have recorded the Let's Go Sabres, Let's Get Stashu's Cup Polka. FYI: Stashu means Stanley in Polish.' … [Read more...] about Singing The Sabres Polka