Archives for May 20, 2007

'If championships were awarded for passionate fans then the city of Buffalo would have plenty of titles to boast of, but alas, that is not the case.' … [Read more...] about Buffalo let down once again

'The day after blowing what could be their last chance to win a Stanley Cup, the Sabres will look into the mirror and see the reason why they choked.' … [Read more...] about Sabres fail to live up to their end of the bargain

'Even if the cap increases this offseason, the Sabres won't have much room to maneuver without sacrificing other parts of their roster. Briere completed a one-year, $5 million contract he received through arbitration -- a decision that forced the team to release forward J.P. Dumont. Drury, meanwhile, is projected to double his $3.15 million paycheck. "We've got some time to … [Read more...] about Cup objective dashed, Sabres now face uncertain summer

'The Sabres outshot the Senators in the third period, 11-3, but they were helped by five penalties called on the visitors. The Sabres took three penalties in the second period, none in the third.' … [Read more...] about Great season run by the Sabres falls short

'“We don’t have any more games to play,” Sabres forward Derek Roy said. “We’re done. It’s a weird feeling. It’s not something we want to get used to.”' … [Read more...] about Home cooked

'“He’s a tremendous player, leader, teammate, friend,” Connolly said. “He’s as good as they get out there.' … [Read more...] about Drury gave it his all, as usual

'“The difference between him last year and this year is tremendous,” Sens GM John Muckler said. “He came in leaps and bounds. He’s shown he can be a No. 1 goalkeeper.”' … [Read more...] about Emery reaches new pinnacle in goal

'The sad reality is that the Sabres could already be a year removed from their best chance to win it all. This team is about to change, and chances are it’s not going to be for the better. This was the year.' … [Read more...] about When you add it all up, this team underachieved

'But now, it must be doubly difficult to know he might let the town down again. Briere will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Prevailing wisdom in hockey circles says the affable Quebec native has played his last game in a Sabres uniform. Briere didn’t speculate on his future.' … [Read more...] about As dream ends, there&#8217s a feeling that Briere is gone

'“He’s been the example, the workhorse for the team,” said coach Bryan Murray. “One-on-three rush and he scores. Just fantastic.”' … [Read more...] about What&#8217s it all about, Alfie? Redemption

'Sabres defenseman Teppo Numminen hinted he isn’t ready to retire, but he’s aware he might have played his final game with the blue and gold. Numminen, who will turn 39 in July, ushered his three young children into the dressing room to pose for a photo in front of his locker stall.' … [Read more...] about Home turns out less than sweet

'The Sabres can’t blame fan indifference. The noise from a throng determined to shout the home boys to victory never let up from beginning to end as the series’ fifth game unfolded on a giant portable television screen set up near the arena’s east entrance.' … [Read more...] about Sabres&#8217 fans loud and proud

'"It's tough to swallow and we feel like we let the fans and the city down," said Briere. "Especially after the way the season played out. I really thought it was our year, but we weren't able to get it going against the Senators.''' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Stanley Cup dreams crushed

'"It's just a different game. It's ugly. It's not the tic-tac-toe game where you're exploding for six goals like we did in the regular season. You have to do things that Lindy (Ruff, the Sabres coach) always says are out of character."' … [Read more...] about Sabres can take valuable lessons from loss

'"I don't think we lost the series tonight, we lost it in the first three games when we dug ourselves a hole," right winger Jason Pominville said.' … [Read more...] about Drury’s return shows courage