Archives for May 2007

'"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."' … [Read more...] about NHL players keep tabs on world championship and even trade shots over it

'"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."' … [Read more...] about Sabres star Daniel Briere: No way Shane Doan ever said what he's accused of

'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.' … [Read more...] about Gaustad In; Stafford Likely Out

'That’s superstar money. It would be nice if he played like one.' … [Read more...] about Put-up time arrives for Briere

'“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.”' … [Read more...] about No negative vibes from Ruff

'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.' … [Read more...] about Rangers have formula for whipping cream

'“That’s how things go,” Numminen said. “There’s ups and downs in games. You just have to keep going, keep focusing on your next shift and move on. Things happen, both good and bad. It’s part of the game. It’s what you get used to.”' … [Read more...] about Numminen hoping for better

'Buffalo has won just three of 14 series that have been even at 2-2.' … [Read more...] about Game Fives frighten fans of Sabres history

'“He brings a lot to the table,” goaltender Ryan Miller said. “He’s great on faceoffs, he’s a hard-working guy, he sets the tone when he’s on the ice.”' … [Read more...] about Stafford ready to yield spot if Gaustad returns

'The Sabres double overtime loss in Game Three averaged a 30 local rating. Local advertisers haven’t seen a number like that since the NFL season ended. It was the highest-rated program of the week, even topping “American Idol” by a substantial margin.' … [Read more...] about Sabres mania is good business for Channel 2

'"There's going to be tough battles throughout a seven-game series. I think the feeling is it's got to be 4 and 1 or 4 and 0 -- we shouldn't lose. My approach is going to be: Stay real aggressive. We're not going to play from the heels; we're going to play from the toes, and the message is having fun doing it."' … [Read more...] about Ruff wants Sabres to take risks, be positive

'Mayor Byron W. Brown of Buffalo, who has been flying a Sabres flag in front of City Hall, said: “The interesting thing now, people who were not hockey fans, people who never liked hockey, some people in the community who don’t even understand the game, are major Sabres fans, wearing Sabres jerseys, talking about games. They have really transformed and transfixed … [Read more...] about Sabres Stir Another Hockeytown

Defusing Buffalo Power Play Boosts Rangers (New York Times) Another Hockeytown (New York Times) Rangers are killing 'em (New York Daily News) 'Will' they or won't they (New York Post) Rangers will need crowd control (New York Newsday) It's a showcase for the new NHL (New York Newsday) Rangers hope to break through in Buffalo tonight (White Plains Journal News) Rangers' … [Read more...] about Friday’s New York Coverage (Updated 1:00 p.m.)

'"Buffalo is a good team. but when the Rangers do well, it's good for NHL exposure," a league executive said yesterday.' … [Read more...] about Two teams must get grittier

'"As he matured as a young defenceman you could tell [Tallinder was solid defensively]," Ruff said. "With his size and the way he can skate and his reach, he is a complete package in the way the game now is called. He's smart and he has the reach. If he gets beaten he has the skating ability to get back in position."' … [Read more...] about Tallinder tallies up postseason praise