Archives for May 2006

'Certainly, Buffalo’s belief in Ruff has paid dividends. He’s been coach of the team since July 21, 1997, the longest tenure with one team of any coach currently working behind an NHL bench. This marks the fifth time in the history of this franchise, which was born in 1970, that they’ve moved this deep into the playoffs, and Ruff has been part of four of those … [Read more...] about &#8217Canes&#8217, Sabres&#8217 coaches both hardy survivors

'Their team has never won a Cup and made the finals only twice in 36 years of existence; their team went bankrupt; the club was rumoured to be moving; they were scorched by the Brett Hull goal seven years ago; people are still emigrating from, rather than arriving in, town; the ecoomy struggles; there are seas of obsolete factories and warehouses; and every time anyone outside … [Read more...] about Product of their environment

Loss leaves lasting memory (Raleigh News and Observer) Hurricanes a huge hit -- locally (Raleigh News and Observer) Hurricanes fans return to RBC (Raleigh News and Observer) League finally releases conference finals slate (Raleigh News and Observer) In playoffs, fists fly less frequently (Raleigh News and Observer) Hurricanes get a break after clinching at home (Durham … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Carolina Coverage

'Sabres spokesman Mike Gilbert said, "We're still in the process of ascertaining how many we're going to have on sale per game. Probably somewhere in the 4,000 range."' … [Read more...] about Hottest Tickets in Town Expected to Be Even Hotter

'"We asked a lot of things from them," Ruff said of his team's effort so far. "Two days off is good."' … [Read more...] about Sabres get well-deserved break before facing Hurricanes

'Game 1 Saturday May 20 RBC Center 2 p.m. Game 2 Monday May 22 RBC Center 7:30 p.m.' … [Read more...] about Sabres-Hurricanes Schedule

'As for the Bills if they want to be No. 1 in the city's mind again, they better start watching the toughness, determination and grit of a hard-working hockey team. Otherwise, mediocrity, not greatness, will continue to rule for Buffalo's football team.' … [Read more...] about Bills could learn a lot from Buffalo's 'other' franchise

'The Sabres did not possess a top-40 scorer this season, but did manage to see nine forwards and one defenseman accumulate at least 40 points. Plus, the team compiled an ego-free blue line corps that was both mobile and physical at the same time. Finally, rookie goalie Ryan Miller delivered completely on the promise he showed during an award-filled college hockey … [Read more...] about Sabres, Hurricanes are beasts of the East

'Ruff said Kalinin is still listed week to week after reportedly breaking his ankle May 8 while blocking a shot in Game 2 of Buffalo's conference semifinal series against Ottawa. Connolly's status is uncertain after the play-making center was also hurt in Game 2 after sustaining what is believed to be a concussion. "We're hopeful," Ruff said of Connolly..."But right now, … [Read more...] about Sabres C Connolly, D Kalinin unlikely to be ready for Hurricanes

'According to commercials run by NBC during the weekend's games, the Sabres will play on the road at 2 p.m. Saturday, but it's not clear whether that will be Game One or Two. The NHL has not released the schedule for the conference finals, and the next round won't start until the semifinals in both conferences are complete. The semis will end as early as … [Read more...] about Sabres take their turns at heroism

'Beauty of this team is in its chemistry, its collective will, its determination to overcome. Ottawa coach Bryan Murray was right to fret Sabres' depth at outset of series. Eleven players scored goals. Sixteen accumulated points.' … [Read more...] about Sabres become team that fans can count on

'The Class of 2006-07 -- headed by first-round picks Marek Zagrapan and Drew Stafford -- is very talented and will comprise a good portion of next season's Rochester Americans.' … [Read more...] about Regier looks to discuss deals with Sabres’ draft selections

'As Daniel Briere, one of three Sabres with strong Ottawa-area ties, said before the series with the Senators began, he relates to people in Buffalo better than he did those in Phoenix because, “they are like us.”' … [Read more...] about After Sabres called their shots, Sens fans got bad connection

'The point is that pro sports provide the citizens with many things, but sweeping economic benefits are not high on the list. It's not economics, it's a feeling in the gut. It's us versus them, it's our tribe against your tribe, it's all the base emotions that drive us - that's why the fans love their Sabres, that's why they love their Bills.' … [Read more...] about Me and the Buffalo Sabres

'There is little doubt that the likes of Daniel Briere, Maxim Afinogenov, Ales Kotalik, Derek Roy and Pominville are better players in the new NHL. But it begs the question: would the Sabres be cooling their heels waiting for the Eastern Conference final had the league not clamped down or abandoned its crackdown the way it had so many times before?' … [Read more...] about Reinvented NHL breathes new life into speedy Sabres