Archives for February 12, 2009

‘Season ticket holders who renew for the 2009-10 season by Friday, March 20, will receive a 20% discount off the purchase price for each playoff game. The discount will be credited to the season ticket holders’ account for next season. Season ticket holders who renew for next year will realize a savings in excess of 65% off the playoff ticket window price.’

‘Ryan Miller decided to shift gears this summer when looking for a new vehicle; opting for a Chevy Tahoe Hybrid. “West Herr has been helping me with some of my charities and I needed a new truck because my parents have my old one actually,” he said. “I figured I would get with the times, try something new.”’

‘After cashing in on only one of 12 chances with the extra attacker in Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators, the team focused on special teams Thursday afternoon; this time with Matt Ellis and Drew Stafford in front of the crease.’

‘"Yeah, I have to be," Gerbe said. "I can’t back down one bit. I’m going to take a lot of hits, and also I’m going to be giving a lot of hits and getting under people’s skin. So things aren’t going to change for me."’

‘The Sabres seemed poised to make a run at fourth place after their promising road trip. But taking only one point in two games against a reeling Senators team is a troubling sign. That’s no way to assert yourself as a Stanley Cup contender.’

‘After two straight meetings, the Sabres’ world has been turned upside down. They are losing and the home fans are booing. They had every right Wednesday night.’

‘Fans who commit to renewing by March 20 can get sizable discounts on potential Stanley Cup playoff games this spring — and the team will be crediting customers’ ’09-10 accounts with rebates matching the discounts. Factoring in rebates, fans may actually pay less for their tickets for next season if the team goes deep into the playoffs.’

‘”Thomas is definitely one of the best in the league at that, as far as getting his stick on shots, finding a way to get in there,” Stafford said. “It’s a big loss, but hopefully we’ve got other guys that can step in there and contribute.”‘

‘Over the last month, Connolly has been everything the Sabres thought he could be when they signed him to a three-year, $8.7-million deal after that magical run in 2005-06. He’s the catalyst of the power play. He’s their best open-ice playmaker, edging Derek Roy. And he logs plenty of extra minutes on the penalty kill, often teaming with the utterly-disappointing Jochen Hecht. And while all that makes him attractive on the short term, his injury-riddled past can’t make him an option for the future, can it?’

‘On Wednesday, the Sabres had a dozen chances, and only converted once — on Ales Kotalik’s third-period goal. Buffalo played nearly a full period with the man-advantage, finishing with 19:29 of power play time.’