Archives for February 2011

'Ruff agreed with his Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender, saying it’s important to move on and focus on the next game. “He had a tough night last night, just throw that one aside and move on. We’ll stick to the schedule. Our team has been on a good run. We don’t like losing that extra point, but what’s even more important right now is focusing in … [Read more...] about Going forward

'Keeping Adam, or bringing him up now, would mean 23 players on the roster, and the recently sold Sabres want only 22, a decision based strictly on finances. “There are lots of guys in the American league and you wonder, geez, why isn’t he in the NHL? But it’s a numbers game. Mark Mancari, here in Portland, is leading the league in goals. This is probably his … [Read more...] about A rookie to watch

'"It's definitely frustrating," said Drew Stafford, who recorded his fourth hat trick with 6:41 left in regulation when he scored the Sabres' sixth goal. "Usually, you score that many goals and you're going to win, but unfortunately we let it slip away."' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ streak is gone in a flash

'This team isn't good enough to make a run if Miller isn't playing at a high level. He's been far from that this year. He's now 31st in the league in goals-against average at 2.78. Miller has allowed four or more goals 13 times this year. He gave up four or more goals in a game just seven times last season.' … [Read more...] about Miller’s rant after defeat says it all

'"It was pretty crazy out there," said Grabner, who beat Ryan Miller on a breakaway at 2:55 of the OT. "It was up and down. We were up. They were up. We just never gave up and battled hard all game."' … [Read more...] about Full speed ahead for Grabner, Islanders

Isles' Grabner completes hat trick in OT (Newsday) Everyone seems upset about NHL ruling (Newsday) Islanders 7, Sabres 6 (OT) (NewYorkIslanders.com) Photo gallery (NewYorkIslanders.com) Photo gallery (Sabres.com) Photo gallery (AP) … [Read more...] about Monday’s New York Coverage

'Okposo set up the winning goal, hitting Grabner on the fly at the Sabres’ blue line. With a step on defender Andrej Sekera, Grabner snapped a shot beating Ryan Miller just inside the left post.' … [Read more...] about Grabner scores 3 in Isles&#8217 7-6 OT win over Sabres

'Drew Stafford registered a hat trick for Buffalo, which had a three-game winning streak halted. Nathan Gerbe, Jochen Hecht and Tyler Myers each had a goal apiece in defeat.' … [Read more...] about NY Islanders 7, Buffalo 6 (OT)

'Well, that was a game the Sabres should have won hands down. Mikko Koskinen was not good before he was pulled from the net for the Islanders, and I am being kind to Al Montoya when I write that he was shaky at best between the pipes. Drew Stafford showed up for another game for the Sabres but Ryan Miller had one of his worst outings of the season. Several of the goals … [Read more...] about Grabner Lifts Islanders. Miller battles during interviews

''Miller wants more direct questions, you know, like he’d get in Toronto or New York while getting torn apart by allowing seven goals in a game his team needs in a season he’s spent mired in “the funk,” as Cornel West calls it. So, here’s how you fix it: tomorrow, ask Miller, “Where’s your Vezina form?” and “Do you think … [Read more...] about NOT NEWS: Ryan Miller’s a weird dude

'Drew Stafford scored his 21st, 22nd and 23rd goals of the season to record his fourth hat trick of the year and establish a new career-high for goals, and it only took him 36 games to do so.' … [Read more...] about The aftermath: Islanders 7, Sabres 6 (OT)

Portland's quick start silences Sound Tigers (Portland Press Herald) Pirates strike quick to extend their win streak (Maine Hockey Journal) Frustrated Sound Tigers fall again (Connecticut Post) Pirates Double Sound Tigers (PortlandPirates.com) Sound Tigers downed by Pirates 6-3 (SoundTigers.com) … [Read more...] about Monday’s Portland Coverage

'"Darcy and Larry [outgoing managing partner Larry Quinn] and the management team, the ownership has had the loyalty to stick with me," Ruff said. "They deserve all the credit for riding out tough times."' … [Read more...] about Ruff still has staying power

'"When you sit a lot of time on the bench, you can kind of get detached from the game and you just want to get back out there," he said. "I wasn't sure if it was from that [or the hit] and I played through it. I really didn't have too many symptoms until after the game."' … [Read more...] about Montador practicing, will miss game versus Isles

'Here are five issues he'll face in the months ahead...'. … [Read more...] about Important decisions await owner-in-waiting Pegula