Archives for November 2, 2011

‘”It’s a big game, especially since we want to focus on our game and pick it up a little bit,” right wing Patrick Kaleta said Tuesday. “Our last couple efforts we haven’t really been happy with, and there’s no better team to face now than the team that knocked us out last year. It should be a fun game to play in and a big test for our team.”‘

‘”Overall the ice has been pretty good this year compared to previous years,” said center Derek Roy, a vocal critic during past seasons. “It’s good for our team, especially. We’re a fast team, and we utilize our legs and our speed. To have good ice definitely helps move the puck up the ice and get your legs going.”‘

‘“We want to make a team coming in here saying, ‘Uhh, we got to play there?’ That would be the ideal situation for us,” winger Cody McCormick said Tuesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s home tilt against the Philadelphia Flyers. “We want to be a team nobody wants to play. At home you can really establish that.”’

‘Hulking defenseman Chris Pronger hasn’t played since a gruesome incident last Monday in which his right eye absorbed the follow-through of Mikhail Grabovski’s shot. Pronger, who left the ice screaming in pain, is on injured reserve and could possibly skate today.’

‘”The game is much quicker and much more skilled now. I would abolish fighting altogether.” said Gare. “The game is too good for that right now. They want ballet on ice, not goons on ice and they are close to it, but they are hanging on to fighting and I don’t understand it.”‘

‘”I’m not surprised,” Sherry Bassin, Otters managing partner and general manager, said of the challenges Boyes — the most revered Otter ever — has met in his seven-year NHL career. “Special players are special because they’re special people. I always expect special things from him because he’s special.”‘

‘”It’s been a tough start to the season, to say the least,” Leino told the Daily News yesterday. “For sure, things haven’t exactly gone the way that I would have hoped. I have a lot of work to do to prove that I am a better player than what I have shown.”‘

‘That means just seven of the Flyers’ 18 players from last season’s first-round matchup will be on the ice this time around.’

‘“There’s a lot of things we can do better, and I can do better,” Leino said following Monday’s practice. “Obviously you’re a little bit worried or whatever, and you’re not feeling as comfortable as you want to. You just have to work hard every day and get back at it. Once you’ve got the confidence and got your game going, it’s a whole different game.”’

‘“I know he wanted to go back to the wing for a little bit, but I think that’s normal when you’re struggling to get on the score sheet,” Ruff said. “You think, ‘Well, it’d be better if I went over there.’ I think he’d be tickled pink to go over there right now and give that a try.”’