‘“We really appreciate the patience of our fans. In many ways, the fans patience can be tested to its limits and sometimes broken. We hope that hasn’t happened here in Buffalo. The relationship we have with our fans in the most important thing in our business; and I’m probably speaking for our players saying the same thing. Certainly the fans are entitled to an apology from everyone involved in this. On behalf of the Pegulas and the Sabres, we do apologize to our fans for having to go through this.”’