Archives for October 11, 2006

'"I think his focus is there," coach Lindy Ruff said after practice in HSBC Arena. "I think some of that may be maturity. Some of it is the focus on, "You've had a history of slow starts, let's not go down that road again."'

'"Oh, we know what's going on," Briere said Tuesday at HSBC Arena. "We heard people talking about how we might not come back with the same chemistry or desire as last year. It gave us something to prove. It made us even hungrier."'

'The Sabres skate with 12 forwards, and they are carrying 12 forwards, so if there's a game, Peters is dressing.'

'The 22-year-old forward's performance at his third training camp with the team that drafted him in 2002 was publicly lauded by several among the Sabres brass. But Paille was one of three forwards, including Rochester teammates Jiri Novotny and Chris Thorburn, vying for two openings. Paille was the only skater among the trio who didn't need to clear waivers in order to be assigned to the Buffalo's top farm club.'

Jacina recalled by Florida (Amerks.com)

Amerks to visit Rochester firefighters Wednesday (Amerks.com)

'"I'm bothered by the fact that we haven't converted."'

'After losing Mike Grier, J.P. Dumont and Jay McKee in the offseason, many questioned the team's grit, but Paul Gaustad, Adam Mair and Andrew Peters or the "Tragically Hits" line — as it has been named in this office — has been effective in its limited time on the ice and each player on it has yet to go under a zero in the plus/minus category.'

'Pominville, who looks like he's emerging as the reliable scorer the Sabres had in mind, added that the days off from Sunday through Thursday would give players lots of time to go over video and correct any hitches in their game. But the right winger could see February roll around and wish for those five days to rest and rehab the many nicks and hurts a hockey player picks up over 50 games. "Maybe, but it won't be like last year with the Olympics. After that break it felt like we played every day in March."'