Archives for January 17, 2010

‘"The guys dug in and battled hard against a team playing good hockey," Grier said of the Islanders, who are on an 8-2-1 burst. "So we have to look back on it and be pretty happy we got a point."’

‘"Health is a main goal here but I don’t want that to overshadow the fact I have to play well and have results," DiPietro said. "When you’re back in the NHL, all that matters is wins. That’s what’s really important."’

New York Islanders goalie Rick DiPietro makes 32 saves in, 3-2, shootout win over Buffalo Sabres (New York Daily News)

DiPietro prevails in Coliseum return (New York Post)

It’s an emotional home victory in a shootout for Islanders’ DiPietro (New York Newsday)

‘New’ DiPietro talks with a bit more caution (New York Newsday)

Isles’ Tavares breaks his goal-scoring drought (New York Newsday)

Islanders 3, Sabres 2 (SO) (NewYorkIslanders.com)

Photo gallery (NewYorkIslanders.com)

Photo gallery (Sabres.com)

Photo gallery (AP)

‘“I’m not going to be banging my head off the wall too hard. I set those guys up pretty well,” Miller said. “From my perspective they were fortunate to get a puck by me.”’

‘”You always like to get the other point, but in the scheme of things we’re on a long road trip, the guys dug in and battled hard,” Grier said. “They’re a team that’s playing good hockey. I think if we look back on it, we can be pretty happy that we got a point.”‘

‘Neither team was able to score again, forcing the two sides to go to the shootout. The Islanders and Sabres matched each other shot-for-shot through the first 7 rounds of the shootout. But in the eighth round Trent Hunter scored and Rick DiPietro stopped Patrick Kaleta to give the Isles the 3-2 win.’

‘Since the Sabres selected him in the fifth round of the 2005 NHL draft, concern has been expressed about Gerbe’s lack of size. He’s 5-5 and weighs about 173 pounds. But Gerbe’s stature no longer seems to be an issue. “If we can keep him healthy, I don’t think there is anything that is going to stop him,” Dineen said. “I think the questions have been answered about his size, and he just needs to stay healthy and be ready.”‘

‘”Being healthy is a huge part of it,” said Weber, selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (57th overall) of the 2006 draft. “I had a long offseason and was able to heal up and come back and play my style of game.”‘

‘Ennis is thriving despite having to learn a new position. He’s moved from left wing to center. “There’s been some learning curves for me,” he said. “Learning the new position at center. Learning the pace of the AHL. I’ve been learning a lot. I’ve been having fun and it’s been a good year so far.”‘

Pirates head into weeklong all-star break in midst of playoff chase (Portland Press Herald)

Focused on getting to the next level (Portland Press Herald)

Little things add up to a big performance (Portland Press Herald)

He’s a pro rookie, learning in a hurry (Portland Press Herald)

Mancari outlast Devils in shootout winner (Maine Hockey Journal)

Pirates Burn Devils in Shootout Victory (PortlandPirates.com)

Pirates Slip By Devils in Shootout, 3-2 (LowellDevilsHockey.com)