Archives for May 2006

'Think Sabres and you think a young team who can skate like the wind and throw the puck around as if it's on a string. Yesterday, they took a 3-2 series lead with a 3-0 win. They scored three goals that would be the centrepiece of an ad campaign for the new NHL. But ultimately that's not what won them the game. "I think their tenacity and hunger, not their speed, controlled the … [Read more...] about Physical hockey still lives

'The Flyers, meanwhile, looked nothing like the team that beat the Sabres in Games Three and Four. All-World center Peter Forsberg, who had two goals and one assist in each Flyers victory, had a solitary shot Sunday. "This was as good a game as I've seen us put together from an offensive standpoint and defensive standpoint," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said.' … [Read more...] about In the zone

'Philly wasn't going to change its approach when the series shifted back to HSBC Arena for Game Five Sunday afternoon. The Flyers were content to lay back, strive for the consummate close-to-the-vest game. The question was whether the Sabres could alter their preferred style to meet the challenge, find a way to win a grittier brand of hockey, one predicated upon discipline and … [Read more...] about Flyers were beaten at their own game

'"He's a complete player now," Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell said. "He's not just a guy that goes down and scores highlight-reel goals every time, although all he seems to do is score highlight goals. He's a great penalty killer, he's everything. You look at Timmy now, and he combines everything. Now, he's a dominant hockey player."' … [Read more...] about Connolly’s rise symbolizes the new NHL

'"It's kind of becoming a habit up here," Flyers center Peter Forsberg said. "We're not working hard enough. We're not getting enough chances. There's nothing to say about them winning. They were better."' … [Read more...] about Flyers say they lacked intensity

'"He settles everything down," Hitchcock said after the Sabres' 3-0 victory in HSBC Arena. "He's a tremendous player. He's settles EVERYTHING down."' … [Read more...] about Numminen’s leadership welcomed in a heartbeat

'Playing hockey where you live is commonly referred to as home-ice advantage. In front of 18,690 appreciative fans yesterday, the Sabres showed why.' … [Read more...] about Sabres leave Flyers on the brink

'"The only thing that's in the back of my mind is when I come to the rink, I have to remember to take the pills," Numminen said of his heart medicine. "That's the only thing on my mind."' … [Read more...] about Numminen’s concerns take a back seat

'The two-goal deficit was huge, given the way Miller was performing in net. "He struggled in Philadelphia. He knows that," Hitchcock said. "But he answered the bell."' … [Read more...] about Miller puts Sabres on brink of series win

'Buffalo winger Jochen Hecht did not play because of a reported upper-body injury he sustained in Game 4. Left wing Taylor Pyatt made his first career playoff appearance in Hecht's place.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Report

'Dear Sabres marketers: please bring back the old blue and yellow jersey/logo combination as soon as possible. Fans in attendance wore almost as many of the old style jerseys as the modern, Red and Black ones. For an example of how to do it right, look no further than your first-round opponent. The Flyers have stuck with their original logo throughout the years, and they … [Read more...] about From Buffalo with love

'"We're going to play really well in Game 6," Flyers coach Ken Hitchcock promised. They didn't play so well on Sunday, rarely posing a threat to goalie Ryan Miller.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Connolly can grin again after big win

'"It was a good bounce-back game for Ryan," said Ruff. "There's been some maturity in Ryan's game. We went through a tough period of time after the Olympic break with him, and then the Ottawa game when we went in there and won (on April 8) I thought he started to turn his game around."' … [Read more...] about When the heat’s on, Sabres’ Miller responds with shutout

'By ignoring the couch critics and sticking with his big gun, Ruff was rewarded with a 24-save performance from Miller that left Hitchcock's Flyers needing to reel off two victories in a row or be booted out of the post-season.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Miller sharp

'Meanwhile, the Flyers were bitter at a pair of officiating decisions. A goalie interference penalty to Brian Savage resulted in Buffalo's second goal by J.P. Dumont. Replays clearly showed Savage was pushed into Ryan Miller by a Sabres defenceman. Late in the third period, Gaustad appeared to attempt a knee-on-knee hit on the Flyers' Petr Nedved, who immediately dropped to the … [Read more...] about Numminen all heart