Archives for February 2009

'"We came out hard in the first period, but we made a couple of mistakes that ended up in the back of our net," said Toronto's Luke Schenn. "Next thing we knew, we looked up at the scoreboard and we're down by three goals."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 4, Toronto 1

'With the win, Buffalo has 66 points on the season moves into a four-way tie for 5th place in the Eastern Conference standings along with the Canadiens, Rangers, and Panthers.' … [Read more...] about Stafford’s Two Goals Lift Sabres Past Leafs 4-1

'Henrik Tallinder said he feels ready to return to the lineup after missing the last 10 games with a shoulder injury. “The doctors have given him the okay to push ahead to try to get involved in a lot heavier stuff,” Head Coach Lindy Ruff said, “from the battling in practice to pushing a little bit harder up ice. It’s just how [the shoulder] responds to … [Read more...] about Injury update: Feb. 16

Portland Pirates arouse fan interest (Buffalo News) Sports Digest (Portland Press Herald) Springfield Falcons end 11-game losing streak (Springfield Republican) Falcons double Pirates for win, 6-3 (Maine Hockey Journal) Falcons Top Pirates 6-3 (PortlandPirates.com) The Stadium Will Broadcast Pirates Games (PortlandPirates.com) Falcons break streak, win 6-3 over Pirates … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s Portland Coverage

'So far, through 57 games, the Sabres haven’t been prepared many nights against the supposedly weaker foes. Players can speak about those teams with harsh experiences fresh in their minds. Buffalo has 12 losses (10-8-4 overall) to the clubs ranked ninth through 15th in the conference, including three straight following Sunday’s 3-0 debacle to the Carolina Hurricanes … [Read more...] about Ruff times in Buffalo

'"As long as we're winning, it's fine. But in games like [Sunday] where we don't have a good start or have problems, it's hard on you if don't contribute offensively."' … [Read more...] about Sabres waiting for Hecht to get clicking

'“It doesn’t seem like we’re getting any production out of having Tim and Jochen and Pommer together. In the second period a couple of times, they couldn’t even get out of their own end,” Ruff said. “Sometimes lines just don’t work."' … [Read more...] about Ruff needs Hecht to step up

'"They were flat, but they won't be flat (tonight)," Ruff said yesterday. "We're going to have to be ready for them and be a lot better. You saw a (Leafs) team that turned it up and flat out smoked Pittsburgh."' … [Read more...] about Ruff expects battle

'Ruff, of course, is the dean of NHL coaches, in place behind the Buffalo bench since July of 1997. Everyone knows his CV; a great shot at the Cup early, then dry years while ownership went bust before emerging from the lockout with back-to-back 50-win seasons. It obviously helps that GM Darcy Regier has been there 12 years, as well, and shouldn't this kind of front-office … [Read more...] about Ruff a rarity in this rapid-fire world

'"With the way the game has evolved the last couple of years, it seems that goals have become a bit more dirty," Mair says. "You've got to go to the net, and on the flip side keep people away from your crease."' … [Read more...] about Nasty intent

Maple Leafs Game Day (National Post) Buffalo (29-22-6) at Toronto (21-25-10) (AP) Red-hot Blake, Maple Leafs face Sabres (Sportsticker) Buffalo Sabres (29-22-6) at Toronto Maple Leafs (21-25-10) (The Sports Network) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Toronto Coverage

Springfield Falcons hosting strong Portland Pirates (Springfield Republican) Kennedy named AHL player of the week (Maine Hockey Journal) Kennedy's play has bite (New England Hockey Journal) Portland Pirates left-winger Tim Kennedy named AHL player of the week (CP) Pirates' Kennedy named Player of the Week (TheAHL.com) … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Portland Coverage

'Sabres blue-liners are finally getting pucks through from the point, there is just nobody down low to bang it into the back of the net.' … [Read more...] about Not-So Special Teams

'“We weren’t playing well enough in front of (Miller),” a disgruntled Ruff said after the Sabres laid a giant egg and fell 3-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes, leaving the capacity crowd of 18,690 fans at HSBC Arena howling throughout. “I said, ‘We’re going to put Patty in and maybe we can play better in front of him ... because Ryan can’t … [Read more...] about eWe weren&#8217t playing well enough&#8217

'“It’s a tough situation for our goaltenders when we hang them out to dry,” commented captain Craig Rivet. “(Ruff) told us, if we’re not going to work for one goaltender, let’s try another. It’s pretty embarrassing for all these players in the room. These goaltenders stand on their head all year long for us. It’s pretty … [Read more...] about Sabres listless in loss to Carolina