Archives for December 22, 2007

'Buffalo is prone to lake-effect winter storms that can dump several inches of snow on the area. That can be dealt with, but if there is a foot of lake-effect snow, that's bad news for the NHL. So would be temperatures of between 45 and 50, since the ice might not hold up. Also, if it's too cold, the ice will crack and chip. If it's a real sunny day the glare off the ice will create difficulty in seeing the puck.'

Buffalo (18-14-1) at Philadelphia (16-14-3) (AP)

Flyers seeking revenge on Sabres (Sportsticker)

Buffalo Sabres (18-14-1) at Philadelphia Flyers (16-14-3) (The Sports Network)

‘Speaking of hostilities, Briere felt the wrath of the Buffalo crowd. Bobby Clarke, Bernie Parent, Dave Schultz and Briere. They’re all the same now. They’re all Flyers. That means they get booed.’

‘They skated and they hit and they engaged a tough Flyers team on its own physical terms. Jaroslav Spacek played his finest game as a Sabre. When it looked as if Biron would steal the show and make a statement about his worth as a franchise goalie, they scored twice in a third period to steal a win.’

‘“It’s not about responding,” Ruff said curtly. “It’s about us initiating.”’

‘He also wondered whether it would be fair to switch ends in the middle of a period to prevent one team from having a weather advantage for two of the three periods in the game.’

‘“This means everything to him,” said Jill Schiavone, Antonio’s mother. “He’ll never forget this day. Danny’s so great. He went above and beyond.” Briere intended the meeting to be private, and arranged it without the knowledge of the Sabres or Flyers public relations staffs.’

'Biron enjoyed a bit more support from the sellout crowd of 18,690 than Briere in pregame introductions, although two signs – "Welcome Back Danny" and "Briere Bunch" – were visible on the upper level. However, Briere endured a chilly reception during the game, as boos resonated throughout the arena each time he touched the puck. He received one ovation all night – for taking an interference penalty midway through the second.'

'"I thought we were on the right path tonight, we were doing a great job," Briere said. "But then for a couple seconds we have a lack of focus and it's in the back of our net.'''

Sabres spoil Briere’s return (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Flyers give head coach an extension (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Briere handles his boos, but Flyers fall (Philadelphia Daily News)

Fragile team fading fast (Bucks County Courier Times)

Stevens extension a hit with players (Bucks County Courier Times)

Sabres send Flyers to fifth straight loss (Delaware County Times)

Flyers give extension to Stevens (Cherry Hill Courier Post)

Flyers give coach Stevens 1-year contract extension (AP)

Flyers coach Stevens gets extension (Sportsticker)

Flyers and head coach Stevens agree to extension (The Sports Network)

Flyers and Stevens Agree to Contract Extension (PhiladelphiaFlyers.com)

Photo gallery (Sabres.com)