Archives for January 2008

'Final arrest numbers were not available Tuesday evening, but the Ice Bowl seemed to present fewer challenges than the average Bills game for local law enforcement officials. “So far, it’s a piece of cake,” Orchard Park Police Chief Samuel M. McCune said late in the game. “The fans weren’t out there drinking as early as they do for a football … [Read more...] about Pond hockey provides Ice Bowl&#8217s warm-up act

'Because admission was a bargain, the crowd included many families with children.' … [Read more...] about For Sabres fans indoors, there&#8217s no place like home

'“They were both so much fun,” Conklin said. “This one wasn’t as cold certainly so I didn’t have any problem there. It was more enjoyable that way. It seemed like the fans were having a good time. If we could have wished for one thing, it would have been a little bit less snow.”' … [Read more...] about Goalie duel goes Conklin&#8217s way

'“It’s too bad it snowed so hard because you couldn’t do much with the puck out there,” Sabres left wing Jochen Hecht said. “All we could do most of the time was dump it in and chase it. There was no room for nice plays, so that was the only bad thing about it.”' … [Read more...] about Heartbreak Kid

'“You had to pay attention a little bit more with all the snow out there,” said Sabres winger Jason Pominville. “You tried to ice the puck as hard as you could, the snow would stop it. It made it tough to stickhandle and shoot but the ice itself was fine.”' … [Read more...] about Puck control was survival of the fittest

'Left wing Daniel Paille and center Tim Connolly set up the Sabres’ goal in their 2-1 shootout loss to the Penguins, and they were together only because of the line switch. Connolly went to the middle of Paille and right wing Ales Kotalik, and center Paul Gaustad left those wingers to join Jochen Hecht and Jason Pominville.' … [Read more...] about Sabres&#8217 line change nets fast result

'How fitting it was that the Sabres and Penguins wore retro jerseys Tuesday because the Winter Classic, an NHL cry for attention, set back the league’s image 30 years. Persistent snows slowed the skating surface and undermined tempo. Dangerous holes created lengthy and repeated delays, inviting those watching at home to channel surf for more compelling alternatives while … [Read more...] about In cold light of day, this was no instant classic

'The league has its flaws, certainly, but it couldn’t have asked for a better ending than having Sidney Crosby, the face of the new and improved NHL, score the decisive goal against Ryan Miller in a shootout with the snow falling sideways before 71,217 fans on their feet, another 11,500 envious souls watching from HSBC Arena and a national television audience.' … [Read more...] about Everyone gets the picture on perfect day for hockey

'“We couldn’t have asked for anything better,” said executive producer Sam Flood. “It was picture-perfect. One of the great crowds of all time. Light snow, an incredible game, a great hockey shootout. And the greatest player in the game scored the winning goal. Can you script it much better than that?”' … [Read more...] about For NBC, Buffalo&#8217s extravaganza epicture-perfect&#8217

'“Oh my gosh, I had a little bit of a brain cramp there,” Armstrong said. “I guess I should have gone to the bench where the heaters are. I had plenty of time to think about [the penalty]. . . . It’s a cold lonely place over there for sure. There’s no heater. When you’re a bad guy, they don’t give you much. It was tough waiting over … [Read more...] about Armstrong elated that he&#8217s not goat

'"Coming out of the tunnel was probably the most exciting part," Pominville said. "The national anthem (of Canada, followed by 'God Bless America'), the helicopter flying overhead. It was so cool."' … [Read more...] about 'Ice Bowl' offers chills and thrills for Sabres fans

'"If you could wish for anything, maybe for a little less snow. But I don't know how you can call that anything but a success (for the NHL).''' … [Read more...] about Former Sabre Conklin avoids an 0-2 outdoor record

'Just enough snow to make it look like a winter wonderland, but not like a blizzard scene. A tightly contested game that required a shootout to decide. And a young superstar with impeccable timing adding to his burgeoning legend.' … [Read more...] about Crosby comes through at dramatic time in NHL Classic

'"Buffalo fans are like no other. They get here early and do it right. They've got the food. They've got the people and they've got the spirit."' … [Read more...] about Area fans among 71,217 to see NHL Winter Classic

'Even with pistons Daniel Briere and Chris Drury absent from the motor, the Sabres are built for a smooth track, not mud. And on a day when flurries and slush slowed passing and skating, Buffalo had trouble manufacturing momentum. “Obviously, it’s quite different. There was a lot of snow on the ice,” defenseman Nathan Paetsch said. “It played a little … [Read more...] about Slushy surroundings might be good lesson for Sabres