Archives for December 2009

'Brian Burke serves as the GM of the Leafs and Team USA. Closer to the ice, Ron Wilson is behind the Leafs' bench and will likewise serve as coach of the Americans. At one end of the rink is Ryan Miller, the odds-on favorite to be Team USA's starting goalie. In three meetings this year, Miller has absolutely stifled the Leafs, winning all three while stopping 111 of 115 Toronto … [Read more...] about Miller’s success against the Leafs helps his Olympic cause

'The Sabres, 9-3-1 in their past 13 games, have been winning in spite of their power play. They have scored just three times in 45 chances over an 11-game span. They went 0 for 8 in Saturday's 2-1 shootout loss to Pittsburgh, giving them a 1-for-26 slide in the past five games.' … [Read more...] about Sabres unable to take advantage

'“If there is a secret (to beating Miller), 28 other coaches besides me haven’t figured it out,” Wilson said yesterday at the MasterCard Centre. “He’s just having one of those years. He’s a very good goalie, he’s picked the right time to have a great year with the Olympics coming up.”' … [Read more...] about Leafs try to shake Miller jinx

'"He's having a great year and he's picked the right time to do it with the Olympics coming. But he's not unbeatable. We have to find a way like we did with Boston (2-0 win Saturday). It's not a jinx or a hex - they (Buffalo) have been the better team than us."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ masked man keeps robbing Leafs

'"It is amazing that Ryan Miller didn't play against Pittsburgh," Wilson said. "Why wouldn't Lalime, the back-up, go against the lowly Leafs [on Friday], and Miller take on Pittsburgh? But that's another story ... I think Lalime played well, so he should probably get another start."' … [Read more...] about Trying to avoid more Miller time

Leafs try to shake Miller jinx (Toronto Sun) Sabres' masked man keeps robbing Leafs (Toronto Star) Trying to avoid more Miller time (National Post) Leafs Game Day (National Post) Buffalo (21-10-3) at Toronto (13-16-7) (AP) Buffalo Sabres (21-10-3) at Toronto Maple Leafs (13-16-7) (The Sports Network) 'Monster' looks for more against Sabres (NHL.com) Leafs Try To Break … [Read more...] about Monday’s Toronto Coverage

'The sellout crowd saw a breakaway competition only because neither team could take advantage of the breaks the refs gave them. Buffalo went 0 for 8 on the power play, including 0 for 4 in the third period and one in overtime. Pittsburgh was 0 for 5, with three failures in the third period.' … [Read more...] about Sabres hit by a power outage

'"It's been great, a real good fit for me," McKee said in HSBC Arena. "I went to St. Louis wanting to help that team make the playoffs, and we did eventually. It was a great experience. I went to the 30th-place team going there, and now I'm going to a team that won the Cup. Obviously, there's a difference on the ice. That just changes the attitude on a day-to-day … [Read more...] about McKee’s wants met Penguins’ needs

'Ruff had a long meeting with Vanek on Saturday morning to discuss the situation, which has developed since Vanek took a shot from Tyler Myers to the midsection during a game earlier in the week.' … [Read more...] about Ailing Vanek takes a seat; Kaleta returns

1 shot, 3 stops, another victory (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Players share in Minnesota's equipment pain (Pittsburgh Post Gazette) Pens' Fleury wins goaltender duel in Buffalo (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Schedule favors Stanley Cup champion Pens (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Shootout Success Propels Penguins (PittsburghPenguins.com) Aftermath: Penguins 2, Sabres 1 SO … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Pittsburgh Coverage

'“It was a hard fought game against a real good team,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. “I liked our game, and I liked the way we competed.”' … [Read more...] about Fleury backstops Pittsburgh to 2-1 SO win

'"I thought it was kind of a playoff game," Lalime said. "Hard fought battle out there. You had to battle for every opportunity out there, every chance, and it was a close game."' … [Read more...] about Pittsburgh 2, Buffalo 1 (SO)

'The Sabres could not cash in on a 4-on-3 power play in overtime, with Alex Goligoski in the penalty box. Kris Letang scored the only shootout goal to give the Penguins the victory, 2-1. Letang was the first shooter for the Pens and the second overall in the shootout. Fleury stopped all three Buffalo shooters for the win.' … [Read more...] about Penguins Top Sabres 2-1 In Shootout

Ennis sparks Pirates past Sound Tigers (Portland Press Herald) Ennis' early, late heroics lift Pirates past Sound Tigers (Connecticut Post) Ennis completes comeback in Pirates victory (Maine Hockey Journal) Ennis Power Pirates to Victory (PortlandPirates.com) Pirates 4 Sound Tigers 3 (SoundTigers.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Portland Coverage

'Sabres coach Lindy Ruff disclosed the injury at the team’s morning skate, but didn’t say how much time Vanek may miss.' … [Read more...] about Sabres LW Vanek out for game against Pittsburgh