Archives for May 4, 2007

'With the best-of-seven series against New York tied at 2, Buffalo also welcomed back forward Maxim Afinogenov, who returned after being a healthy scratch in a 2-1 loss in Game 4 at New York on Tuesday. The additions led the Sabres to sit out rookie forward Drew Stafford, who had two goals and two assists in nine playoff games, and Daniel Paille, who played his first game this postseason Tuesday.'

'“They've been making sure they’re in shot lanes, giving us the outside and not making the entries easy on us,” he said. “That’s a big part of the power play when you’re able to get in under control and get the power play set up. We’ve been doing a good job moving the puck around,” he said. “We’ve just got to make sure we get those shots from the inside and create some havoc in front of the net.”'

‘Drury’s theory is this: if you’re mentally and physically ready for a game, your performance is almost predetermined. You’re going to be fine. If you’re not, don’t sweat the small stuff or pet the sweaty stuff or something. You’re going down.’

‘After what happened Tuesday night in New York City, the Buffalo Sabres and their fans have every right to be furious. They’ve simply worked too hard and come too far to have their Stanley Cup dreams put in jeopardy because of one play.’

'"We still watch for sure and there's always little jabs going around the room with all the different countries represented in our dressing room," said centre Daniel Briere, a two-time gold medallist with Canada at the tournament. "Guys are watching and it's fun to keep an eye on."'

'"As long as I don't have any proof that it was him who said that, I have a hard time believing that story, I can't believe it," Briere said in a media scrum conducted in French. "Shane is one of my best friends. He's never said anything racist towards anybody since I've known him. I've never even heard him swear."'

'Hamilton said Drew Stafford will likely be the line-up casualty, and that Jason Pominville should drop down to the fourth line, with Adam Mair and Gaustad. Daniel Paille is out of the line-up with the return of Maxim Afinogenov, a healthy scratch in Game Four.'

'That’s superstar money. It would be nice if he played like one.'

‘“It’s tough to create anything,” said right wing Ales Kotalik, one of the few to have offensive flashes against Rangers with two goals on 16 shots. “We still believe in ourselves, and we have a good group of guys who can make things happen.”’

‘Fans are pulling their hair out wondering what’s wrong with the lovable and supposedly unbeatable Swords, the so-called darlings of the new NHL. Granted, Buffalo didn’t play well in Madison Square Garden, but folks around here have been slow to recognize there’s another team on the ice in the Rangers.’