Archives for May 2006

'The game was an absolute treat to watch.' … [Read more...] about Sabres outlast Sens 7-6 in overtime, take 1-0 series lead!

'Somewhere commissioner Bettman was smiling as the Senators and Sabres exchanged scoring chances all night long in a fast-pace affair that left fans gasping.' … [Read more...] about Drury nets the winner as Sabres edge Senators 7-6 in overtime in wild series opener

'In overtime, Buffalo picked up a turnover at the blue line and went in on a 2- on-1 break. Grier found Drury, who one-timed a shot top shelf past Emery's stick side for the game-winning goal.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 7, Ottawa 6

'The teams scored three goals in the final 1:37 of regulation as Buffalo's Derek Roy tied it at 5 with a short-handed effort for his second of the game at 18:23. But Bryan Smolinski scored his second 24 seconds later during the same power play to give Ottawa its fifth straight lead, 6-5. The Sabres pressed for one more, and Connolly got it as he swept a puck that lay within Ray … [Read more...] about Buffalo 7, Ottawa 6, OT

'McKee grabbed a couple of those sticks and took them to his current stick company's rep and said, hey, build me some of these. "I took a look at them right away and was blown away," McKee said. "Looking at those, it was night and day."' … [Read more...] about Chance encounter brings McKee out of hockey funk

Buffalo at Ottawa (AP) High-flying Senators begin conference semifinals vs. Sabres (Sportsticker) (4) Buffalo Sabres (0-0) at (1) Ottawa Senators (0-0) (The Sports Network) Quick start crucial for Sabres (CBC Sports) No underdogs in Senators-Sabres series (CBC Sports) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Game Previews

'“I’ve been saying since the new year started, people were excited in the city everywhere I went. You sensed the atmosphere. People are excited and they’re pumped about their hockey team,” he said. “The last couple weeks walking around town, going to restaurants, you can tell people are excited. It’s fun to be part of it. I’m not … [Read more...] about Briere realizing Buffalo’s warmth

'Paul Gaustad will always remember his first NHL playoff experience, playing in front of 20,000-some fans. His ears won’t let him forget -- they might still be ringing. “It was really loud,” says Gaustad, whose Buffalo Sabres beat Philadelphia 4-2 in the first round and face Ottawa starting tonight. “It was so loud (in Philly and Buffalo) that … [Read more...] about Ex-Hawk prepares for lengthy playoff

'"We needed one centerman to move over, and we decided that we would do it with Derek," Ruff said. "Derek had played some wing in Rochester, and I thought maybe his speed and being creative would be an asset on that line. Plus, he's responsible defensively."' … [Read more...] about Roy gives Drury-Grier pairing some legs

'In the spring of 2003, the Coyotes dealt him to the Sabres for Chris Gratton, who is the antithesis of Briere, a large man who played smaller. In retrospect, it was a steal, a deal that began to transform the Sabres franchise. Nothing has been quite the same since. Briere justified the trade from the moment he arrived. He became a star in 2003-04, a popular figure on and off … [Read more...] about Briere plays with the heart of a giant

'Ruff thought he was walking to the unemployment line a few years ago. He'd just finished his second consecutive losing season, a new owner was coming in and Ruff was sure the Sabres would be holding a news conference telling fans they were "going in a new direction." But owner B. Thomas Golisano quickly came to respect Ruff, and calls for the coach's firing were ignored.' … [Read more...] about Ruff makes short-list for NHL’s Coach of Year award

'"Ottawa, yeah, they've got some speed, they've got some skill. We're well aware of that," Miller said. "But I think we do, too. We just have to go out and execute a game plan, and I think the game plan we have in place and the skill we have in this locker room, we can get the job done."' … [Read more...] about A series where the defense never rests

'"I think we really gained a lot of experience as a team, most specifically for the young guys," defenseman Jay McKee said Thursday. "I think that our first series had a lot of twists and turns in it from being ahead two games to having pretty much a must-win situation in Game Five here at home. It was physical. It had a lot of speed to it. It really had everything, momentum … [Read more...] about Young team reaps benefits of some first-round hiccups

'Unless Miller steals games early in the series, the Senators will win in seven.' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Senators

'"We already know them really well. There's not a lot of surprises out there. But we really respect their lineup and special teams, and a big factor is going to be staying out of the box. We know we're a good team when we play an aggressive game. But we know if we don't, they can be a dangerous team as well."' … [Read more...] about Senators vow to raise bar for Sabres