Archives for May 2006

'"They had us pinned back in the second period," Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said. "We've got to do a better job."' … [Read more...] about Small market, big goals

'For years, Buffalo has been shackled with the label of being a negative sports town. The perception is of a town filled with fair-weather fans that panic at the slightest glimpse of tough times. But not an ounce of negativity seemed to permeate the electric atmosphere before and during the game.' … [Read more...] about Sabres make fans believers

'"I don't think Lindy needed to talk to us," Briere said. "We knew we didn't do the job. We knew we had to improve our play."' … [Read more...] about House rocks as Buffalo holds tight

'"I just think it's probably coincidence that a team has come out and dominated three games in a row in the second," said Buffalo defenseman Jay McKee. "I don't think there's any X's or O's reasoning to it, but we're glad we played a great period."' … [Read more...] about Sabres take their turn dominating second period

'As bad as the Sabres played in the second period on Monday, they played that well in the middle period Wednesday, using a 13-minute burst of dominating play to skate away with a 4-3 victory and two-games-to-one series lead.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ ‘white-out’ helps regain momentum, quiet Hurricanes

'“Certainly, we didn’t play very well in the second period,” Carolina coach Peter Laviolette said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres shine in second period, regain series lead

'In a game the Sabres had to have, a game that followed the team’s worst playoff outing, Briere was one of the many who stood tall in the corners, buried the shots he needed to, and put the Sabres back in the series lead. But he wasn’t alone.' … [Read more...] about Briere, Jillson measure up for Buffalo

'“This is about how entertaining the product is on the ice,” Bettman said. “We couldn’t really ask for anything more, We don’t really care what markets are involved.”' … [Read more...] about Bettman has no problem with the &#8217Canes and Sabres

'He was by no means spectacular, finishing with a plus-minus rating of -1 in 10:31 of ice time. Jillson, however, balanced a Buffalo blue line reeling from injuries to Dmitri Kalinin and Teppo Numminen.' … [Read more...] about Jillson passes first test

'Two days after the Carolina Hurricanes reclaimed their turf in Game 2, the Sabres -- specifically the line of Daniel Briere, Jochen Hecht and J.P. Dumont -- responded to coach Lindy Ruff's challenge.' … [Read more...] about Briere throws 1-2 punch

'Ladies and gentlemen, what we've got ourselves here is a gen-u-ine playoff series.' … [Read more...] about This one far from over

'"I think everything happens for a reason," Wesley said yesterday before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference final. "Coming back here, going through the lockout and rebuilding this team in the new NHL, no one was sure how it would work out. But it obviously did."' … [Read more...] about Return to Carolina worked for Wesley

'"If we're going to win, they need to play like that," said Ruff, who wants the line to be one that dictates play. "The challenge is just to rise to the occasion. It isn't a personal challenge. (Game 2) wasn't good enough."' … [Read more...] about Sabre stars stop Canes

'As in all their playoff wins, speed played a big part. This time it was in the form of captain Daniel Brière, who zipped past the Hurricanes for two key second-period goals that put the game in the Sabres' hands.' … [Read more...] about BriEere helps Sabres find their game

'After the Sabres were outshot by the Hurricanes in Game 2, Ruff had said Buffalo's top players would have to be better. They were.' … [Read more...] about Sabres shooters step up