Archives for March 1, 2007

'"Trying to succeed in this game and to have some kind of baggage like that, carrying it around out there, it will probably only distract me," said Drury about the possibility of seeking revenge on Neil if he was given the opportunity. "I just want to help the team win and have success that way."'

‘”I was getting ready to play the game in Toronto and the next thing I know I couldn’t make it for the meetings before the game,” Briere said. “It was a weird situation.”‘

‘”I’d rather be playing than not playing. That’s frustrating,” he said during his first comments with Buffalo-area reporters since the controversial collision. “But being mad or angry or upset isn’t going to get me back sooner. I don’t want to be carrying that baggage around.”‘

'"My job is to fit in," he said. "My job is to come in and adapt to what's thrown at me and make the most out of it. I understand it. I'll work my way, and I'm sure I'll be OK."'

'"We're not going to put a date on [his return]," Ruff said, "but take a look at the middle of next week as a possibility."'

'Three cheers for Golisano, who went on to urge Bettman to convene a panel to review the league's policy on cheap shots meant to inflict injury. Bettman should do so, and soon.'

Mancari sparks Amerks (Rochester D&C)

Deadline for Amerks’ playoff roster drawing near (Rochester D&C)

Griffins fall in overtime (Grand Rapids Press)

Rochester 3, Grand Rapids 2 (AP)

Loss Streak Ends in Overtime (RNews.com)

Mancari nets game-winner in OT to lift Amerks over Griffins, 3-2 (Amerks.com)

Not without a point (GriffinsHockey.com)

Mancari scores two in return to Rochester (LetsGoSabres.com)

'Despite the despair of all the injuries, here is something positive for us to wrap our arms around: At various points Spacek, Kotalik, Paille, Afinogenov and Drury will return. And maybe Tim Connolly. All these guys will have the benefit of returning fresh for the playoffs, at a time of year when the wear and tear of the regular season takes its toll on many players. Scary good? You bet!'

'"I was pumped up for practice, and that doesn't happen too often," said Biron, who was acquired for a second-round pick in the 2007 entry draft. "You go up there and want to get as many shots and get the feel of it. It was exciting to take the plane out of Buffalo and meet the team here."'

'"I'm moving forward. Everyone knows the situation I was in in Buffalo. I've been the backup for a couple of years, and I've made it open that I wanted to play more games and I wanted to get the chance to compete for more ice time. The situation wasn't there and it came up and [Tuesday] when [Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff and general manager Darcy Regier] called me and told me, it felt right."'