Archives for April 2009

'“Every week or two on the way to the rink I’d park my car by the Breslin Center [the Spartans’ home arena], say hello to his secretaries and see if he was in his office. He’d take time to meet with me. He’d talk mainly about expectations and how to handle certain things. He’d jump in with how things had gone for former players or how he … [Read more...] about Miller will be keeping an eye on Spartans

'The Sabres also got some help out of town as the red-hot Thrashers won at Florida, 3-1. The Sabres have 85 points, four behind the idle, eighth-place New York Rangers (who have a toughie this afternoon at Boston) and just two behind the Panthers.' … [Read more...] about Deja vu suits Sabres fine

Capitals Lose but Still Win (Washington Post) Caps clinch Southeast crown in loss (Washington Times) Caps Plus (Washington Times) Caps fall to Sabres, 5-4 (OT), but win division (Washington Examiner) Postgame Notebook: Sabres 5, Capitals 4, OT (WashingtonCaps.com) Postgame Quotes (WashingtonCaps.com) Photo gallery (WashingtonCaps.com) Photo gallery (Sabres.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Washington Coverage

'Buffalo, meanwhile, celebrated as though it had won a playoff game, which in a way it had. The Sabres are in a mad dash to try to reach the postseason. They are 10th in the Eastern Conference, four points behind the eighth-place New York Rangers. Plus, the Sabres started a stretch run in which they’ll play six games in nine days, including matchups against such top teams … [Read more...] about Caps clinch division despite 5-4 OT loss to Sabres

'"Every goal at this point of the year is big. We're battling for our lives, we find ways to win games, but at this point in the season we needed this win," Pominville said. "We found a way; I'll take it, definitely."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 5, Washington 4 (OT)

'A Fedorov turnover in the neutral zone ended up on the stick of Tim Connolly, who carried it over the blue line and found Pominville streaking all alone toward the crease. Pominville converted the breakaway chance by snapping a shot between the pads of Varlamov and keeping Buffalo alive for another day.' … [Read more...] about Sabres Still Alive; Buffalo Rallies to Beat Washington 5-4 in OT

Pirates continue push for playoffs (Portland Press Herald) Devils' playoff hopes take big hit (Lowell Sun) Pirates make own luck against the Devils (Maine Hockey Journal) Pirates Top Devils 3-1 (PortlandPirates.com) Devils Lose Battle Versus Pirates, 3-1 (LowellDevilsHockey.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Portland Coverage

Buffalo (37-30-9) at Washington (47-23-7) (AP) Capitals looking to strengthen grasp on No. 2 seed (Sportsticker) Buffalo Sabres (37-30-9) at Washington Capitals (47-23-7) (The Sports Network) Caps Entertain Sabres (WashingtonCaps.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Washington Coverage

'While Vanek's game-ending faux pas in overtime Wednesday in Atlanta certainly got its share of the discussion, the guess is that most of the conversation was directed at Roy. He's the center. It's his line, the alleged top line on a Buffalo team with playoff hopes that are virtually gone. And the trio isn't getting the job done at all in five-on-five situations.' … [Read more...] about Ruff wants more from Sabres’ top unit

'With a shootout looming, Vanek committed a cardinal sin just inside the Atlanta blue line as the last man back and it cost his team a valuable point in the standings.' … [Read more...] about A point not taken for Sabres

'The professional debuts of Sabres prospects Tim Kennedy and Nathan Gerbe have been big hits this season in the Sabres' first year of affiliation with the Portland Pirates.' … [Read more...] about Kennedy, Gerbe honored by AHL

'Where has Dan Paille been? Or Clarke MacArthur? Henrik Tallinder sleepwalks through game after game, yet Nathan Paetsch, who played his best hockey as a Sabre in January when the defensive corps got thin, sits in street clothes.' … [Read more...] about This is Just a Tease

Kovalchuk shot brings OT victory (Atlanta Journal Constitution) Kozlov stays hot, Lehtonen stays out (Atlanta Journal Constitution) Analysis: Thrashers 3, Sabres 2 (OT) (AtlantaThrashers.com) Photo gallery (AtlantaThrashers.com) Photo gallery (Sabres.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Atlanta Coverage

'“It’s a tough point to lose,” coach Lindy Ruff said. “We had the opportunity to win it. Derek (Roy) had his breakaway. (Jason) Pominville had the great opportunity off the faceoff. (Jaroslav) Spacek had another great opportunity and didn’t score. If you don’t finish those off, you end up losing a point.”' … [Read more...] about Kovalchuk&#8217s OT goal lifts Thrashers over Sabres

'With time running down in the extra period, Thomas Vanek's shot was blocked by Kovalchuk and the Thrashers star caught up to the puck and was able to beat Ryan Miller between the five-hole to give Atlanta the win.' … [Read more...] about Atlanta 3, Buffalo 2 (OT)