Archives for February 16, 2008

‘“They’re going to be as desperate as any team we’re going to play,” Ruff said after practice Friday in HSBC Arena. “We know now that the fight even gets bigger. The battles are going to get harder. The intensity is going to go up because we’re at a point now where you can keep moving up or you can just stay in the battle for the rest of the run. Emotionally and physically, you’ve got to engage even more in the games to win those battles, to try and separate from the rest of the teams.”’

‘Miller and Pominville have been stellar during the Sabres’ 8-0-2 run, and the NHL statistics reflect that. They are both among the league leaders since the games of Jan. 24, when the Sabres started their streak with a 2-1 win over Dallas.’

‘“I remember everything,” Zednik said. “I remember the doctor holding my neck and telling him, ‘Don’t push so hard. I can’t breathe.’ I talked to my trainer [Dave Zenobi]. I remember them saying, ‘OK, go to surgery.’ ”’

Today’s game with Buffalo crucial for Rangers (White Plains Journal News)

Buffalo (28-21-8) at NY Rangers (28-24-7) (AP)

Rangers, Sabres battle for playoff position (Sportsticker)

Buffalo Sabres (28-21-8) at New York Rangers (28-24-7) (The Sports Network)

Zednik should leave hospital Saturday (Miami Herald)

Blood on the ice (Hamilton Spectator)

Don’t expect rule changes in wake of Zednik scare (CBS Sportsline)

'Granted, these neck injuries are fairly uncommon in the NHL. But two in 18 years — in the same city nonetheless — is two too many.'

'Jason Pominville missed Friday's practice with an illness. His status for the Ranger game is up in the air. Tim Connolly missed the work out but is expected to play in New York. Jaro Spacek left for what Coach Lindy Ruff called "body maintenance". Spacek isn't expected to miss any time.'

'Granted Campbell is in line for a huge payday. With the Salary Cap likely to increase again this off-season and a dearth of high-quality blueliners available this coming off-season, Campbell could demand a huge contract in the open market. In light of recent contracts given to LA's Lubomir Visnovsky (5 years $28.75 million) or Montreal's Roman Hamrlik (4 years $22 million), Campbell should at least expect a similar deal. I wouldn't be surprised if the offer comes in at nearly $6 million per season.'

‘”When you don’t have success, you always chance, tweak and look to be better,” said head coach Lindy Ruff. “We’ve gone down some roads and tried some things. There have been some things that haven’t worked and there’s been some things that have been better for us. We just try to stay down that road where things are going better for us.”‘

Young Americans keep rolling (Rochester D&C)

Amerks rise up to bite Bears (Harrisburg Patriot News)

Amerks Win Third Straight (RNews.com)

Amerks double up Bears to win three straight (Amerks.com)

Hershey stumbles in New York Friday night (HersheyPA.com)