Archives for May 2006

'But in most cases, it's easier to find a replacement for a forward than for a defenceman. After Kalinin went down, Ruff slotted in Rory Fitzpatrick, who will be in the lineup today. "He's probably more physical and he has a good offensive side to him," Ruff said. "We have used him on the power play and he has been able to help us in a lot of areas."' … [Read more...] about Hurricanes, Sabres are relatively healthy

'Members of the Sabres Alumni including Rob Ray and Danny Gare took part in the charity basketball game on Friday night against school faculty members.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Alumni and Niagara Wheatfield Help Neighbors in Need

'"The enthusiasm, the excitement that's been generated by this hockey team. I think it's great. It's great for the community and for this part of the state. And we're starting to feel pretty good about ourselves as a community."' … [Read more...] about Tom Golisano is Caught Up in Stanley Cup Fever

'The kitchen at La Nova Pizzeria is busier than usual for a Friday night. Workers started making Pizza shells and doing prep work so they'll be able to keep up with orders during Saturday's Sabres game. Anthony Damico of La Nova Pizzeria: "Just getting stuff pulled out and ready to go, as soon as one o'clock hits it's gonna be like crazy in here tomorrow."' … [Read more...] about Businesses Working Hard to Get Ready for Rabid Sabres Fans

'Who do you check? Which line do you check? Which defenceman do you go after? It's a tough team to target because they don't have any one identifiable strength or weakness. It is their four-line, six defencemen and very good goaltender in Ryan Miller approach. That's going to be a unique thing for the Hurricanes to have to deal with.' … [Read more...] about Canes must deal with Sabres balance

Buffalo at Carolina (AP) Rookie goaltenders meet in Game One between Hurricanes, Sabres Rookie goaltenders meet in Game One between Hurricanes, Sabres (Sportsticker) (4) Buffalo Sabres (0-0) at (2) Carolina Hurricanes (0-0) (The Sports Network) Hurricanes, Sabres ready to go (CBC Sports) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Game Previews

'Experience doesn't go as far as it used to. At least not in the NHL playoffs, where youth and swiftness rule. No better example exists that the Eastern Conference final, where the Buffalo Sabres will meet the Carolina Hurricanes this afternoon for Game One in the RBC Center.' … [Read more...] about Coming of age

'"I think it's more contagious when one person blocks a shot," Sabres forward Derek Roy said. "It pretty much forces everybody else to block a shot instead of pulling up or doing the flamingo or whatever. It seems like everybody wants to win on this team, and blocking shots is a huge part of that."' … [Read more...] about Ruff's suggestion becomes a building block

'"We're on the same wave length with our thinking about leadership and winning," Grier said. "We've talked about Tiger Woods and how amazing he is with winning and his drive to never be satisfied. We just have similar philosophies when it comes to that. Some of it is our upbringing, and some of it is Jack Parker."' … [Read more...] about Room monitors keep Sabres focused

'In 1971, as an ambitious 30-year-old, Golisano had the wild notion that an outsider could make it rich in a virtually unknown enterprise - processing the payrolls of small companies. "Most people thought I was nuts," Golisano said recently, "including some people who eventually became my partners."' … [Read more...] about Golisano's tenacity is on the money

'In Buffalo's 12 playoff series under Ruff, opponents have held home-ice advantage nine times. His teams have broken serve all but once in the first two games. He is 7-2 when playing Game One on the road.' … [Read more...] about Ruff plays king of the road in postseason

'Behold the numbers. Ward sits second in postseason goals-against average at 1.77, having whittled his regular-season average by more than half. He's tied for second in save percentage at .930, a leap above the .882 compiled in 28 games during the season. He's drawing comparisons to Patrick Roy, who staked Montreal to the Cup as a rookie in 1986. And he's … [Read more...] about Hurricanes got their man in Ward

'Thousands of expatriates are bracing for a pilgrimage to Buffalo for the parade if the Sabres ever win a Stanley Cup. Here's the sad part: Half the people will be traveling from North Carolina.' … [Read more...] about If a puck is dropped in Carolina, does it make a sound?

'For the five years ending in 2004, more Erie County taxpayers moved to Mecklenburg County, N.C. - that is, Charlotte and its close-in suburbs than any other county outside of New York State. Along with the 1,042 taxpayers who moved to Mecklenburg County, IRS figures show that another 499 left Erie County for Raleigh-Durham, which is 170 miles northeast of Charlotte.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fans will find plenty of allies in Carolina

'"You always come out of camp with two or three of those decisions," Ruff said. "You stare him in the eyes and you can see what that decision has done to him and you're hoping he can be able to bounce back from it."' … [Read more...] about Sabres lucky not to lose Pominville