Archives for January 2007

'Buffalo's Daniel Briere, Brian Campbell and Ryan Miller will each make their first all-star appearances headlining a relatively-young Eastern squad. Maxim Afinogenov fell just 6,000 votes shy of unseating Ovechkin for the final forward spot.' … [Read more...] about Briere, Campbell and Miller named All-Star starters

'"Lindy was a competitive individual who went out and worked hard and committed to his team. Obviously, as a coach, he's done a tremendous job in Buffalo. I look forward one day to talking about it."' … [Read more...] about Carlyle and Ruff ready to coach at upcoming NHL all-star game in Dallas

'Ah, but Biron's bulb is burning dimmer these days, his 100-watt glow reduced to a 60, his ebullience noticeably reduced. He's a free agent after this season, turns 30 in August, and would like to think, not dreamily, either, that he could be a No. 1 in some other place. Yet the season's half over and he's played all of 12 games while residing in the … [Read more...] about Time grows shorter for Biron

'The Northeast has been the most competitive division in league thus far. Through the weekend, each of the five teams had a winning record (Toronto was below the watermark counting overtime and shootout losses). The Boston Bruins had the lowest point total with 43 - no other division had all teams above 38 points - even though the Bruins had played the fewest games in the … [Read more...] about Northeast Division is in a class by itself

'“For us, we have a No. 1 goalie playing every night, either way,” said Sabres co-captain Daniel Briere. “It’s a luxury. Not too many teams can count on two guys of that caliber.”' … [Read more...] about Canadian Press: eBiron&#8217s no backup&#8217

'Don't be fooled: The best shot the Sabres have to get the goaltending that will allow the team to do what no other major Buffalo sports team has ever done rests with Miller. He's the thoroughbred; he's the one with the growth curve.' … [Read more...] about Mind games

'"There's a lot of pressure on the goalie," says Drew Miller, Ryan's brother who plays left wing for the Anaheim Ducks' minor league team in Portland, Maine. "And there aren't that many positions for goaltenders. There's only one on the ice at a time. You have to make your time out there count."' … [Read more...] about The Pressure of a Goaltender's World

'"It wasn't the prettiest game, but in the end all that matters is the win," said Sabres center Daniel Briere, who had a goal and an assist. Dmitri Kalinin, Chris Drury and Ales Kotalik also scored to make sure Buffalo didn't lose three in a row for the first time.' … [Read more...] about Sabres stop empowered Leafs

'"A team like Buffalo that's got so many small, skilled players, the only way to stop them is to start hitting them," Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Wade Belak said before Saturday night's game in the Air Canada Centre. "They have a lot of guys that's not a part of their game to be bangers. They got more goal scorers and danglers."' … [Read more...] about Opponents may try roughing it

'Leafs fans are, to the consternation of Sabres fans, a zealous, fanatical bunch. They reside in all corners of the country and pledge their unyielding support. A good number will make the trek to Buffalo this Thursday, devouring tickets at inflated prices, because it's cheaper than dealing with the local scalpers and trying to finagle their way into the Air Canada Centre. … [Read more...] about Leafs’ fans, players patiently wait for glory’s return

'Drury is the lone Sabres player you'll find on my midseason list. He's built a reputation for scoring clutch goals, but his defensive play has made a bigger difference this season. It's why he's my choice at the halfway point for the Selke Trophy as the top defensive forward.' … [Read more...] about At awards time, Drury is as smooth as Selke

'Beginning Wednesday, Buffalo will play three games in four nights, starting with a road contest against Chicago and followup home dates against Toronto Thursday and Tampa Bay Saturday. Then it's off to Boston Jan. 15 with a return game against the Bruins Jan. 17. Throw in contests against Vancouver on Jan. 19 and at Montreal on Jan. 20, and the Sabres are looking at seven … [Read more...] about Inside shots

'"I can't tell you what I said because you wouldn't be able to print it. Somewhere along the lines of holy chaos." -- Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff, on a near goal as the game wound down, Toronto's John Pohl hitting the side of the net despite shooting at a wide-open goal.' … [Read more...] about Notes, quotes

'The horn to signify a goal went off in the final seconds, but Toronto's John Pohl hit the side of the net despite shooting at a wide-open goal. "I can't tell you what I said because you wouldn't be able to print it," Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff said. "Somewhere along the lines of holy chaos."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, Toronto 3

'"Give Marty a lot of credit, a lot of credit," said star centre Daniel Briere, who had a goal and an assist. "It can't be easy for him. He would be a No. 1 goalie on a lot of teams in this league. He's got to be one of the best team guys I've ever been around in my career. He hasn't complained and he's done his job when called upon."' … [Read more...] about Briere, Drury power Sabres’ offence to 4-3 win over Maple Leafs