Archives for December 30, 2007

'"The rink itself looks fairly well ready to go," Craig allowed himself to say. "We're ready to go, let's drop the puck and play hockey."' … [Read more...] about NHL ice guru Dan Craig pulls it off yet again for NHL's second outdoor game

'"I can't think of a real comfortable way otherwise," said Miller, who also played an outdoor game at Michigan State. "As a goalie, you get used to wearing your helmet a certain way. I don't know what I'm going to wear underneath that would make it feel the same and keep warm. That might be a good solution, get some of that carpet tape and … [Read more...] about Miller prepares for another outdoor game, thinking of new ways to stay warm

'There is a cartoon that depicts a man hanging upside down in a medieval torture chamber, screaming “Pain! More pain! I love it! I love it!” One of the torturers turns to an accomplice, points his thumb back at the suffering man and says, “Buffalo sports fan.”' … [Read more...] about A readers' guide to the Winter Classic

'Beginning at 7 p.m., Miller and Stafford are scheduled to team up with renowned Irish tenor and committed Sabres fan Ronan Tynan and the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra during a program of Irish classics, holiday tunes and popular favorites. (Stafford’s recent head injury has him questionable to be in the “starting lineup” for tonight’s concert, and … [Read more...] about Rockin' Jocks

'“He was pretty good tonight, but you can’t say he was great,” Roy said. “We didn’t have any scoring chances. A lot of the shots were from the outside and they were high, and he just smothered everything.”' … [Read more...] about Sabres&#8217 offense frozen out

'Sabres fans might be thinking, “It’s our home game, we should get some breaks.” That logic doesn’t hold true. The NHL purchased the home game from the Sabres, so it’s the league’s show.' … [Read more...] about Winter Classic will have special rules

'“What I’m thinking is everybody’s going out for New Year’s and probably not thinking tailgating, so we’re going to create a tailgate party for those arriving,” said Don Renzulli, National Hockey League senior vice president of events and entertainment.' … [Read more...] about Party time at The Ralph

'The current Team Sweden goaltender at the World Junior Championships was drafted in the 2nd round, 46th overall and currently has other scouts scratching their heads on why they overlooked him.' … [Read more...] about Enroth a Swedish sensation for Sabres

'Still, the underlying question through all of this is "What's the point?" There's lip service paid to things like tradition and fandom and all that good stuff, but the bottom line is that this is all a big publicity stunt for a league desperate for anything to do with TV ratings. But publicity stunts have come and gone before, and it's not like it … [Read more...] about What's the point of the Winter Classic?

'It was followed by this quote from Wayne Gretzky: "It's like the 1972 series. I don't know that you can ever duplicate this. I can't describe how magical it was. I don't know that it could ever be special enough to be able to match this one." Well, here we are. Now we find out.' … [Read more...] about Frozen in time

'"I think people are comfortable with the idea that if there is a big event on NBC, that I might be the one to come on and set the stage. And it implicitly says that NBC considers this to be something of significance, that it's not your everyday hockey game. And it isn't. They didn't have to twist my arm. I think it's cool."' … [Read more...] about Costas and crew eager to air U.S. outdoor game

'Pennsylvanians accounted for 19 percent of StubHub's sales for the game, Ms. Ferrerr said, second only to New York at 56 percent. "That's a pretty high number for visiting team sales," she said.' … [Read more...] about It's outdoors, it's in Buffalo, it's the hottest ticket around

NHL tinkers with Winter Classic format (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Penguins win, but lose Roberts with broken leg (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Pens' Shero not panicking despite injuries (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Penguins' Gary Roberts breaks left leg, out indefinitely (AP) Photo gallery (PittsburghPenguins.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Pittsburgh Coverage

'Buffalo played its sixth game in 11 days, a difficult stretch leading up to the much-hyped Ralph Wilson Stadium game that will be played before an NHL-record crowd of 74,000-plus, and it showed. Right now, the Sabres need to win a game, indoors or outdoors.' … [Read more...] about Pittsburgh 2, Buffalo 0

'"You have to give the Penguins credit, when they got the lead," said Buffalo coach Lindy Ruff. "They didn't make the mistakes to give up the odd man rushes that would put them in a tough situation."' … [Read more...] about Pittsburgh 2, Buffalo 0