Archives for May 2006

'The veteran referees, the stone-age guys, don't like the new game any more than any of the dinosaurs in the NHL establishment, but at least they officiated the games as they were directed. Not now.' … [Read more...] about Officials turn back the clock

'The Hurricanes and Sabres are models for the new NHL, which emphasizes speed and aggressiveness, but also discipline on defense. Neither has ridiculously overpaid players -- Buffalo has no players making $3 million-plus, Carolina has two -- but both have game-breakers.' … [Read more...] about Similar teams share a Cup dream

'I'd toss in frugality, too. The Sabres operate $12 million below the NHL's new $39 million cap and have adopted a policy under Golisano, the Paychex billionaire who didn't get that way by buying a fleet of Porsches, whereby the team would not disrupt locker room harmony by signing big-name free agents to fat long-term deals.' … [Read more...] about Bills should emulate overachieving Sabres

'For the first 2 1/2 minutes, the Hurricanes were all over the Sabres, zipping around the net, firing shots at goaltender Ryan Miller, then regrouping and going back to the attack. When the Sabres finally managed to stage a rush, they went down to the other end and scored. The game wasn't even three minutes old. The Hurricanes had dominated. But the Sabres were in front.' … [Read more...] about Same old Sabres

'"I thought our first and third periods were terrific," he said. "I don't know. The second period, we sat on our heels." In fact, the Hurricanes started the second period with such a lethargic stretch that Laviolette seriously considered burning his timeout to burn their ear drums.' … [Read more...] about It just wasn’t Hurricanes’ day

'Both clubs had lots of scoring chances, and the difference in the end may have been that Ryan Miller was better in the Buffalo net than was Cam Ward in the Hurricanes cage.' … [Read more...] about Slow-moving Hurricanes can’t touch Buffalo

'"This really allows us to really go after it in Game 2," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said after yesterday's 3-2 win. "You can take a few more chances. You can let it all hang out."' … [Read more...] about Sabres set to `let it all hang out’

'"It's not what you'd expect," said Buffalo's leading scorer Chris Drury, "but it's great for us to get scoring from everybody."' … [Read more...] about Sabres get boost from ‘D’

'These Sabres are good, but they're especially good in close games and this one was a mere indication of the past and maybe of the future. All of Buffalo's wins in the series with Ottawa were decided by a goal.' … [Read more...] about Miller Buffalo’s leading man

'"The goals I've scored in the last four or five years, I haven't scored too many on my backhand," Briere said after the Sabres' 3-2 Game 1 victory. "For people who have seen the curve on my stick, I can't go on my backhand too often. "I don't know how it got up like that."' … [Read more...] about Briere surprises himself with nifty backhanded goal

'A square body position doesn't necessarily produce a human square. Miller is hardly symmetrical, carrying just 160 pounds on a 6-3 frame. His legs are skinnier than a hockey stick, and he's 20 pounds lighter than the smallest Carolina player. Without the thick pads and full mask, Miller looks like a classical musician, his dark hair flowing straight down his neck, his face as … [Read more...] about Slap happy

'"Lindy and his staff spent a lot of time with us (in Rochester during the lockout) and saw a lot of potential, as we all did. It was a real good learning opportunity for both sides."' … [Read more...] about Slow-moving Hurricanes can’t touch Buffalo

No comeback for Canes (Raleigh News and Observer) Control eludes Canes (Raleigh News and Observer) Sabres get boost from 'D' (Raleigh News and Observer) Scary moment for Staal's right eye (Raleigh News and Observer) Turning point (Raleigh News and Observer) Puck takes unkind bounces in opener (Raleigh News and Observer) Sabres take it to Canes (Durham Herald Sun) Miller … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Carolina Coverage

'Carolina outshot Buffalo 31-27. Miller outdueled Cam Ward in a battle of rookie goalies. Ward made 24 saves.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Take Game One

'"I think it helps set the tone for the series," said Ruff, 46, who has been the Sabres' coach since July 1997 and is the longest-tenured head coach in the 30-team N.H.L. "Especially when you're on the road, you don't want to get down in the first two games."' … [Read more...] about For Third Straight Time, the Sabres Win Game 1