Archives for November 15, 2011

'His primary responsibility is ensuring that the ice remains as smooth as a pass off the stick of Jason Pominville. This task includes skating into the rink during television timeouts and hurriedly scooping up the snow that has kicked up and accumulated on the ice.' … [Read more...] about Sabres ‘Ice Man’: Hornell art teacher Daryl Smith moonlights on NHL ice crew

'The Sabres got a boost when coach Lindy Ruff put Derek Roy back on the top line between Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. That trio scored a pair of goals to get Buffalo even and the Sabres finally pulled out a dramatic 3-2 victory in a shootout.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prove resilient

'Myers is struggling in every area in the wake of signing his seven-year, $38.5 million contract extension that kicks in next season. He has no goals and just four assists in 16 games this year after posting 11 and 10 goals, respectively, in his first two years and averaging 42.5 points.' … [Read more...] about Benched Myers realizes he has to be better

'“If (Lucic) isn’t suspended, it just means teams will be able to do exactly what Lucic did,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Monday in Montreal prior to the ruling. “Their goaltender can play the puck, we can run him over. We can hurt him and all you get is a two-minute minor penalty. That is essentially what that means is that you can concuss the other team’s … [Read more...] about Lucic not suspended for hit on Miller

'I'm not one to condone an-eye-for-an-eye justice, but if the league isn't going to do anything to protect its star players not named Sidney Crosby, individual teams will have to.' … [Read more...] about Open Season On NHL Goalies

'Know something? Enroth was the only Buffalo player who caught my eye on Monday. Calder Trophy winner Tyler Myers surely didn't, because he was a healthy scractch. As for Enroth, everybody knew he was coming into a hostile environment shortly after the entire team was embarrassed. If he had played something south of very well, no-body could or would have blamed him. Instead, he … [Read more...] about Enroth gets the job done

'In the end, Lucic was not suspended, Shanahan saying in his ruling that he was satisfied with the Bruin's position - and it is utter nonsense - that there was nothing he could do to avoid the collision.' … [Read more...] about Sabres still rattled by Lucic hit on Miller

'"It opens the door to many things. It is obvious that in this case, we are on the side of Ryan, but tell me what can deserve a suspension if there is not when your goalie is hit in this way."' … [Read more...] about ”It opens the door to many things” – Jason Pominville

'"I like to compare this game to football, you can not hit a quarter or a kicker, Gaustad said. These are positions where players are not equipped to get hit. Lucic clearly wanted to hit him and it's very disappointing to him. We lose one of the best goalkeepers in the NHL."' … [Read more...] about Lucic, the new enemy in Buffalo

'"The minor penalty imposed on the game was the right decision, Shanahan wrote. It is unfortunate that Miller was injured, but I did not see anything obvious that should an additional award."' … [Read more...] about No suspension for Lucic

'When he expressed comments of Darcy Regier (Sabres D.-G.) that the guardians should have the same protection as quarterbacks in football, Shanahan shook his head. "I was hired to enforce the rules and punish those who transgress and not to establish them. If the league decides to protect the guards in this way, the regulations will be modified. In the meantime, I will continue … [Read more...] about Lucic: Shanahan reply to comments “irresponsible” Sabres

Sabres sharp in shootout (Montreal Gazette) Canadiens sat back, Cole says (Montreal Gazette) Markov takes major step in his recovery (Montreal Gazette) Enroth gets the job done (Montreal Gazette) Sabres still rattled by Lucic hit on Miller (Montreal Gazette) Canadiens VP Gilmore has tough crowd to please (Montreal Gazette) Photo gallery (Montreal Gazette) Falling energy … [Read more...] about Tuesday’s Montreal Coverage

'“We’ve got to find a way to protect the most valuable asset on any team and that’s the goalie. Not unlike the NFL ... I don’t watch the CFL much, but I assume they have similar rules with protecting quarterbacks.”' … [Read more...] about Wilson: Goalies are too vulnerable

'“If (GMs) feel, as (Sabres GM Darcy Regier) suggests, goalies are like quarterbacks and there needs to be a higher standard of supplemental discipline . . . I’m happy to enforce that policy,” Shanahan told reporters at Monday night’s Hockey Hall of Fame ceremony. “But I don’t think I can just go and do this because this happened to a great goaltender like Ryan Miller. I judged … [Read more...] about No suspension for Lucic hit on Miller

'“However, a goaltender is more or less defenceless. They’re not wearing the same type of equipment. They’re not built to absorb a freight train running you over where a defenceman is. That’s the debate that is going to go on for the next couple of days.”' … [Read more...] about Protect goalies like QBs, Leaf coach says