Archives for September 19, 2007

'The league is expected to take on seven figures worth of red ink to stage the contest, but they're obviously looking at it as a loss leader. As well they should. Given what Crosby means to the game, the long-term value of that exposure makes the Winter Classic the most important game of the season, bar none.' … [Read more...] about Winter wonderland

'When Golisano -- the founder of Paychex, a payroll services company -- took over, he emphasized three points: the franchise had to be a great place to work, it needed to be a great product for fans, and it had to make money.' … [Read more...] about Miracle on ice: How Sabres turned it around

'"I don't think our style needs to change," said the former Michigan State star. "People are really just speculating on how we're going to react, but let's see how some guys who had great years last year and guys who are promoted fill in before we start jumping to conclusions. We played very well with the core group of guys that we … [Read more...] about Buffalo to be singing the blues? Don't play that tune yet

'“I think obviously there has been some good growth,” said Amerks head coach Randy Cunneyworth of Zagrapan's rookie campaign. “I think his size and strength has certainly improved. He’s worked awfully hard over the course of the summer, not only in the weight room but also with regard to his hockey skills. I think it’s proving to be a recipe for … [Read more...] about Zagrapan learning the ropes

'"I don't know if anybody thought they would go that fast," Gilbert said, then addressing the tickets reserved for season ticket holders. "When Tom Golisano bought this team under Larry Quinn, our philosophy was to do whatever we can to take care of our season ticker holders. Yesterday was another indication of how we're taking care of our best … [Read more...] about Gilbert Explains Winter Classic Tickets

'“This is a chance for many of our young players who have been on the fringe to step in and play key roles -- and for those that have already gotten a taste at this level to take on greater responsibility,” Regier said.' … [Read more...] about Northeast: Regier confident Sabres will cope with losses

'“Max, while warming up playing soccer in the playoffs, flipped over backwards and hit his head on the concrete before Game Three in Long Island,” Ruff said, “and I don’t think he was right for a little while after that.”' … [Read more...] about Max&#8217s story finally revealed

'“There’s pieces in all of those top three we can move around,” Ruff said. “We know that Roy, Vanek and Stafford played well together and Kotalik and Connolly and Afinogenov at one time played really well together. We have options we can try."' … [Read more...] about Coach has rough idea for opening-night lines

'Many fans lucky enough to get online, or in the front of a ticket line, at precisely 10 a.m. found no limit placed on the number of tickets they could buy. That presumably allowed some people to buy dozens of tickets, many of which appeared on eBay or StubHub for up to 10 times their face value later in the day.' … [Read more...] about Fans left out in cold in Ice Bowl&#8217s sellout

'But Blue Jays season-ticket holders, it appears, were indeed given preferential treatment. Patrick Elster, vice-president of ticket sales and services for the baseball team, says an offer was extended as a result of a long-running relationship the Blue Jays have with the Bills, the principal tenants of Ralph Wilson Stadium.' … [Read more...] about Tempers flare over outdoor game

'"The NHL should have taken care of the Buffalo Sabres' and Pittsburgh Penguins' season ticket holders first because we're the ones who shell out the big bucks," said Penguins season ticket holder Kevin Yackmack of Aliquippa, adding he thought there should have been an advance sale for those fans. "And the Penguins should have made sure they … [Read more...] about Ice Bowl ticket is hottest around

'"I had three computers going logged onto (Ticketmaster.com) and my wife went to a Ticketmaster outlet, and she was told they did not have any tickets," Tomana said. "I called the Penguins tickets offices at 10:04 a.m. and they said their tickets were (gone)."' … [Read more...] about Fans outraged over Winter Classic ticket shortage

'A capacity crowd of 74,000 is all but guaranteed which will break the single game attendance mark of 57,000 when Edmonton hosted an outdoor game in 2003.' … [Read more...] about Outdoor Hockey is a big hit