Archives for November 2010

'"I got in here [Saturday] morning, got a little skate in, and I'm excited to get things going," Ellis said in Air Canada Centre. "It was surprisingly a direct flight from Portland to here, but it was like having a private plane because there was only three people on it, so the travel wasn't too bad."' … [Read more...] about Ellis gets the call with Stafford out

'If Ruff is fired, I suspect his successor would be someone already in the system and on the payroll.' … [Read more...] about Anyone would be struggling to coach these Sabres

'Guys like Tim Kennedy and Clarke MacArthur were shuttled from the lineup while pieces like Rob Niedermayer and Shaone Morrison were added. The result has been the worst start in franchise history.' … [Read more...] about Bigger Sabres aren&#8217t any better

Sabres rally to edge Leafs in shootout (Toronto Sun) Points to ponder on shootouts (Toronto Sun) Leafs ‘are going to have to learn’ how to win (Toronto Sun) Sabres shoot down reeling Leafs (Toronto Star) Leafs lose to the NHL’s worst as tumble continues (Toronto Star) Photo gallery (Toronto Star) Leafs collapse against Sabres (Toronto Globe and … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Toronto Coverage

'“I know the fans and media like to talk about changes being made after a start like we’ve had,” said Sabres forward Mike Grier, who played his 1,000th game earlier in the week. “But the guys in this room love playing for him. He’s a great coach. It’s our responsibility. None of the blame should go to him. It’s all on us in the room. … [Read more...] about Leafs fall short in shootout

'"Obviously, we were overdue," said Sabres coach Lindy Ruff. "It's a pretty excited group to get the win."' … [Read more...] about Ennis scores SO winner as Sabres beat Leafs

'"I came into camp in the best shape I've ever been in," he continued. "That allows me to be aggressive when I can defensively and join the rush offensively. A lot of it is just building confidence."' … [Read more...] about Defenceman Montador shines for Sabres

'"I thought we controlled the game pretty well," Maple Leafs head coach Ron Wilson said. "I had one line producing offense, and that was it...we need more contributions from other people in a game like this, when we've got a team down on the mat and we didn't finish them off like we should have."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo 3, Toronto 2 (SO)

'The next three shooters, Toronto's Clarke MacArthur, Buffalo's Tim Connolly, Toronto's Thomas Kaberle, all missed. Rookie Tyler Ennis deked Maple Leaf goalie J.S. Giguere to end the game with a 3-2 win.' … [Read more...] about Sabres win in shootout 3-2

Bruins send Pirates to first home defeat (Portland Press Herald) A sloppy first period proves too costly as Pirates suffer first loss on home ice (Maine Hockey Journal) Arniel, Colborne shine in overtime win (Providence Journal) Pirates Home Win Streak Comes to an End (PortlandPirates.com) P-Bruins defeat Pirates in overtime 5-4 (ProvidenceBruins.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Portland Coverage

'Now Darcy Regier looks like a genius and 2008 may go down as the best draft in recent memory for Buffalo. With Tyler Ennis poised to make a run at the Calder this year and Luke Adam exploding out of the gate in Portland, trying to become the third Portland player in as many years to win rookie of the year honors in the AHL. It is because of the 2008 draft and emergence of Zack … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres depth analysis, Fall 2010

'“You constantly go through this (in an 82-game NHL season). There are ups and downs and you just have to maintain a long-term picture. Lindy’s a great coach. To suddenly go ‘dumb’ in the course of the month is ridiculous. He’s one of the best coaches in the league.”' … [Read more...] about It’s Ruff being Lindy

' Leafs don’t mind hitting Sabres while they’re down (Toronto Star) Toronto avoids Leafs-killer Ryan Miller (Toronto Sun) It's Ruff being Lindy (Toronto Sun) Ron Wilson has no sympathy for Sabres (Toronto Globe and Mail) Leafs Game Day (National Post) Buffalo (3-9-2) at Toronto (5-5-2) (AP) Buffalo Sabres (3-9-2) at Toronto Maple Leafs (5-5-2) (The Sports … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Toronto Coverage

'At least one fan entered the arena not expecting much from the home team. A banner reading "Fans show up ... why don't you?" was taped to the top of Section 304, yet another sign of growing discontent with the club.' … [Read more...] about Home woes reach historic lows for Sabres

'It was the longest drought from the start of the season in Grier's 14-year NHL career. Patrick Kaleta (14 games), Jochen Hecht (14) and Rob Niedermayer (13) remain scoreless.' … [Read more...] about Grier provides a new scoring source