Archives for March 20, 2012

‘”Those are the games you don’t really want to let off the gas pedal because you don’t know when you’re going to get another game like that,” said rookie left wing Marcus Foligno, who added two more goals to the impressive six-game start to his career. “It was great.”‘

‘”That’s a good teammate stepping in for a guy, and I respect that part of the game,” Weber said in Tampa Bay Times Forum, where the Sabres played the Lightning on Monday. “A lot of guys are sticking up for teammates, and that’s one of the rare things with hockey: It is a brotherhood. I know I don’t fault him at all for coming after me. It’s one of those things that just the way the game goes.”‘

End coming quickly for staggering Bolts (Tampa Tribune)
Goalie Caron from German team signed (Tampa Tribune)
Photo gallery (Tampa Tribune)
Tampa Bay Lightning thrashed 7-3 by Buffalo Sabres (Tampa Bay Times)
Faceoff falloff an indicator Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stamkos is playing hurt (Tampa Bay Times)
Lightning get Buffaloed in 7-3 rout (Sarasota Herald Tribune)
Photo gallery (Fox Sports Florida)
Sabres 7, Lightning 3 (TampaBayLightning.com)
Photo gallery (TampaBayLightning.com)
Photo gallery (Sabres.com)
Photo gallery (AP)
Photo gallery (WGRZ-TV)

‘“We were able to capitalize on a couple of rushes and made some good plays on our power play,” Pominville said. “When they have to change their game plan and open the game up, I think it falls into our style of play. We’ve got guys that have speed and can make you pay, and we did.”’

‘Drew Stafford had a goal and two assists for the Sabres, who remained two points back of Washington for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Corey Tropp and Brad Boyes also lit the lamp.’

‘Buffalo kept their foot on the gas pedal in the third, scoring just 17 seconds into the final period on an unassisted goal by Pominville.’

‘In 46 games Weber is -20 this season while last season he was a +13. Ruff isn’t big on plus/minus, but when it gets to this point he said, “I think minus-20, it is what it is. It means you’re not on for enough goals for and you’re on for way too many against.” Weber said, “I’m one of those guys, I’m not going to lie to you I lose some sleep over it, but the sun comes up the next day. The great thing about hockey is you play so much you don’t have much time to dwell on it, you got to refocus and turn your energy to the next game. It’s little things that I continue to work on in practice and just try to make it a routine and a habit and making sure I’m solid so the plus/minus you can’t worry about. It’s one of those things that goes up and down and last year I’m sure there were some pluses I shouldn’t of had and this year there are some minus I shouldn’t have so it’s a weird stat.”’

‘”I think it just took him a little time in the league to figure it out,” Amerks coach Ron Rolston told Coller via phone Monday night. “All good players eventually do. He was just trying to find his game and work offensively at this level. He had to change from his game in junior hockey. Early on we had him on the wing until he got more comfortable up the middle with the added defensive responsibility. He’s out there after every practice working on his game..we can’t be happier for him.”‘

‘The red-hot trio of Foligno, Stafford and Tyler Ennis combined for seven points (3+4) on the night, giving them 25 points in five games since the line was formed in Ottawa on March 10. Foligno has points in all five games since he was recalled from Rochester prior to that game, and this was his second two-goal game in less than a week. He now has seven points during this five-game streak.’

‘Varone (5’10”, 186 lbs., 12/4/90) currently leads the Rochester Americans (AHL) with 43 points (8+35) and two shorthanded goals in 63 games this season. His 35 assists rank him fourth among all AHL rookies and tie for 15th-most among all skaters. Varone is ranked 12th among AHL rookies in total scoring.’