Archives for May 2006

'It's an eerie feeling that by chasing one goalie from the net, the Sabres are staring at a better one for the duration of this series. Wouldn't that just be the luck of a snake-bitten franchise still in search of its first Cup well into its fourth decade?' … [Read more...] about ‘Canes made correct call in goal

'The Sabres ran into the most certain roadblock to a Stanley Cup -- a hot opposing goaltender.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fall flat in 4-0 loss

'“You never want to see guys get hurt, that’s for sure, especially in the game,” Stillman said after Hurricanes rolled to a convincing 4-0 victory at HSBC Arena on Friday. “It’s unfortunate they’ve run into some injuries. Now it’s for us to take advantage of. We have to play in their zone and tire out their top four guys. And hopefully … [Read more...] about Sabres newcomers thrown in the mix

'The biggest play of Game 4 came with the Sabres up big in Game 3. When Martin Gerber stepped in for Cam Ward and stoned Mike Grier seconds later on a breakaway, he laid the foundation for a wall the Sabres have yet to crack, and he’s given the Hurricanes confidence they hadn’t shown with Cam Ward in net.' … [Read more...] about Gerber&#8217s presence slows Sabres to a crawl

'“Me and my neighbor were on the computer,” he said of the snap decision to make the trip. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We just decided why not? It’s the Buffalo Sabres, so who really cares about money?"' … [Read more...] about Fans blow into Raleigh for Sabres

'"If anyone told us earlier this year we'd be in a best-of-three for the Eastern Conference title, we'd have gladly taken it. We still have a full roster, we're not down to three lines and four D," he said. But some of the Sabres' top snipers -- Drury, J.P. Dumont and Maxim Afinogenov -- had critical first-period chances on Gerber and were stymied.' … [Read more...] about ‘Canes able to tie it up

'He looked comfortable last night. Even though the Sabres produced a fairly lacklustre game from an offensive point of view, they did have some chances in the early going, especially from J.P. Dumont and Chris Drury. But Gerber stopped them both, and when the Hurricanes opened the score at 6:34, on a goal by Mark Recchi, that would be all that they would need. "It was nice to … [Read more...] about Oh, baby! Gerber hot

'Meanwhile, Teppo Numminen took yesterday's morning skate with the Sabres, but headed right to the trainer's room after leaving the ice. He has a groin/hip flexor injury which is expected to heal by Game 5 or 6 (if necessary).' … [Read more...] about Carolina’s Cole a no-go

'The quaint notion that the team is stronger than any individual is being severely tested and Buffalo may have finally reached the breaking point.' … [Read more...] about Hurricanes rip through Buffalo

'"But I'm feeling better. It was much better than it was two days ago and that's good. This is the first day that I've felt better. It's coming. The treatments are working and I'll hopefully play Sunday (in Game 5 at Carolina)."' … [Read more...] about Depleted Sabres get no relief from `better’ Numminen

'Jillson, who played well in his first playoff appearance on Wednesday in the third game, was minus-3 last night.' … [Read more...] about Carolina preys on injured Buffalo

'The Sabres controlled the majority of the period, registering 11 shots on Gerber, but reached intermission with nothing to show for their efforts. Worse still, Buffalo would manage just another 11 shots the rest of the way.' … [Read more...] about Sabres offer no defence to fend off Hurricanes

'"I think there is an identity with the working people, an identity and a tie to the working player," said Mair, who scored just twice in 40 games this season. "They're pretty knowledgeable about the game and realize that it's not just the goals and assists and saves that win games, but it's the little intangible areas."' … [Read more...] about Mair at home in Buffalo

'"We need certain players to step up," Williams said outside the Hurricanes dressing room before taking the ice in Game 4. "I'm definitely one of those guys."' … [Read more...] about Carolina searching for missing Williams

'Staal's 19 playoff points leads the league, and the 21-year-old extended his post-season point streak to 14 after scoring his seventh goal last night. (Pavel Bure holds the record with points in 16 consecutive playoff games in 1994.)' … [Read more...] about Staal finds playoff bounces going his way