Archives for April 2007

'The first night the Islanders arrived in Buffalo last week, he steered the coaching and training staffs to dinner in Lombardo’s Ristorante on Hertel Avenue. “We want them to get a taste of Buffalo,” said Timms, who is engaged to a local woman, Anne Uba.' … [Read more...] about Islanders&#8217 trainer grew up as a Sabres fan

' can't see it happening, but a first-round loss by the Buffalo Sabres to the New York Islanders would be as demoralizing to many sports fans in western New York as the Bills losing four straight Super Bowls.' … [Read more...] about It's win or bust for Knighthawks, Sabres

'Much like he did during last year's playoffs, Kotalik has disappeared in the first two games of the first round this season.' … [Read more...] about Kotalik must start producing

DiPietro’s Return Has Islanders Optimistic About Playoffs (New York Times) To Nolan & Isles, Yashin's just another fourth-liner (New York Daily News) Yashin on ice as Islanders knot series (New York Post) Yashin's benching is nothing new (New York Newsday) Concussions get inside your head (New York Newsday) DP fired up over return to ice (New York Newsday) Buffalo … [Read more...] about Monday’s New York Coverage (Updated 1:00 p.m.)

'"I think I made a huge case," said Dubielewicz. "It's something I always knew I could do. I don't know if anybody else thought so. It feels good inside."' … [Read more...] about Dubielewicz convinced he’s made his case to Isles

'If the Sabres are to regain control of this series and not have the Islanders' win turn a minor annoyance into a major upset, they will have to start driving to the net themselves. For all of their dancing around Saturday night, there was not a lot of heavy traffic right in front of DiPietro.' … [Read more...] about Return of DiPietro puts Isles back on winning track

'"In every game there's pressure, but not like when it's a 4-4 tie in the Stanley Cup final," Conklin said. "It was wild. But that's part of the job. I mean, you have to be prepared for it."' … [Read more...] about Always ready

'"We were trying to put on a bit of a show for our fans," head coach Lindy Ruff said of his team yesterday. And that was after they woke up in the second period.' … [Read more...] about Sabres need to simplify

'The Islanders, though, would not have won this game, and will not win others, without scoring from the point. Based on the early returns, this is a blueliner's series, with six of the 10 goals coming off the sticks of the defencemen, most of them from a distance. And those shots would have been ineffective without heavy traffic in front of, and around, the crease.' … [Read more...] about Isles avoid potential rout

Amerks send message in playoff primer (Rochester D&C) Classy Sprukts voted club MVP by Amerks (Rochester D&C) Bulldogs lose playoff tune-up; 2-1 (Hamilton Spectator) Rochester Americans (2) Vs. Hamilton Bulldogs (3) (Hamilton Spectator) Rochester 2, Hamilton 1 (AP) Amerks Clinch Second Place (RNews.com) Amerks clinch second spot in North Division (Amerks.com) 'Dogs … [Read more...] about Monday’s Rochester Coverage

'Sabres' head coach Lindy Ruff said that he gave the pair the day off to rest and that they will be in the lineup for Game Three tomorrow night on Long Island.' … [Read more...] about Drury And Connolly Sit Out Practice; Both Okay

'The Isles came to play. Their passing was pinpoint, their passion on display with every blocked shot. DiPietro's early contributions didn't come in the form of huge stops -- he saved those for later -- but in his ability to play a third defense position and swat away every shoot-in with ease.' … [Read more...] about Sabres wake up too late in loss to Isles

'The fans reacted like scalded cats and more than a few were heard howling on the airwaves that the series was lost. These folks need to take a pill.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fans are a breed apart

'Such a performance is inexcusable in the playoffs -- especially against a team as eminently beatable as the Islanders. True, the Isles played with desperation and a stronger game plan (emphasizing the fore-check and defensive aggressiveness), but frankly, that wouldn't have mattered half as much if the Sabres had played the full 60 minutes the way the played the … [Read more...] about Grading the Sabres: Game 2

'Grand predictions of a sweep and a Sabres waltz into the Stanley Cup finals were vaporized Saturday night. The media and fans were proclaiming all week that the Sabres would sweep the Isles and that New York didn’t even merit any concern. Today, those very voices of super optimism wake up with egg all over their faces. It may take them a week to get their feet extracted … [Read more...] about Isles hand Sabres and fans big dose of reality!