PASabreFan
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You know what I liked about Ryan's game? There was an element of cockiness to it. My mind is overloaded with images at the moment, so I probably won't describe it right, but at one point he made a save on a long shot and swatted the rebound out of midair off to the side. Get away from me, bitch puck. :) Shades of Hasek. Miller was fine. I remember one huge save on Forsberg's heavy shot from the right dot. There were others. I felt for him, standing back there for long stretches with nothing to do. He was looking at el crusho's Cup for a while. :)
Ahhhh, life is good.
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Well I guess I should pipe in with my pick.
I wrote a long analysis but realized I was repeating what most have already said. Here are some thoughts that I haven't seen many others express.
1. The Flyers? D is not entirely immobile, and their physical play could take some of the smallish Sabres off their game at times. The Sabres might have to play a more tenacious game, play out of character a bit, to get through the Eagles backfield.
2. In the most recent clash between the teams, at HSBC Arena a few weeks ago, with a postseason matchup between the teams at the time considered to be very likely, you could almost see Ken Hitchcock's blueprint for playoff success on display.
3. Home ice could work against Sabres early in the series. They?ll have some major butterflies and pressure to please the fans to deal with.
4. Expectations are high for the Flyers, who have disappointed their fans time and time again. Expectations are high for the Sabres, too, probably higher than they should be. But Philly is the team that?s more likely to choke. You have to like the mindset of the Sabres, who reconstructed their game during a late-season funk and came out smelling like roses. While the Sabres were at times emphasizing practices over winning games, the Flyers were making a mad dash for a division title, losing it literally in the final minutes of the season. Are they deflated, perhaps a bit worn down?
Outlook: Sabres play nervous and split the first two games at home. After a Game 3 loss in Philly, the Sabres rebound with their best showing of the series in a pivotal Game 4 to tie the series. After the Sabres take the lead in the series at home in Game 5, the Flyers gallantly tie it again back in Philly. But the momentum still resides with Buffalo, and Philly runs out of gas in Game 7. Don?t even think 8-0 again, but the Sabres win going away.
Let's go Buffalo!
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April 22, 1998
Donald Audette scores the winner a few minutes after the Flyers have erased a two-goal Buffalo lead in the third period as the Sabres win their playoff opener in Philadelphia. After the sixth-seed Sabres build a 2-0 lead after two periods on goals by Wayne Primeau and Michal Grosek, the Flyers storm back in the third period with goals 19 seconds apart by Rod Brind'Amour and Chris Gratton. Audette then takes the bouncing rebound of Bob Boughner's shot and smacks it from a bad angle over a flailing Sean Burke just inside the far goalpost to give the Sabres another lead, one they will not relinquish, earning Lindy Ruff his first career playoff victory.
April 22, 1975
At the Aud, the Sabres beat the Blackhawks 3-1 to clinch their first playoff series victory four games to one and advance to play Montreal in the semifinals.
April 22, 1976
In the franchise's original Stanley Cup final hangover season, the Sabres are eliminated in the quarterfinals with a loss on Long Island. The Islanders win their fourth straight game in the series after dropping the first two in Buffalo. The Sabres almost didn't get out of the bizarre best of three preliminary round, losing Game 1 ON THE ROAD to St. Louis, which had 33 fewer points than the Sabres, before winning the final two games of the series in overtime at the Aud. Yes, Ed Staniowski.
April 22, 1983
Lindy Ruff scores the winning goal as the Sabres beat the Bruins 5-3 at the Aud to stay alive in the Adams Division final and force a deciding Game 7 at Boston Garden.
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A while ago, I heard the weather woman on Channel 7 give the forecast for the game.
Before that, when the Campbell's Soup commercial came on, I had my own lyrics for that catchy song... Campbell on the rush... possibilities.... Campbell has it at the point, possibilitieeeeeeees.
I need this series to begin ASAP.
Oh yeah, Captain Kangaroo seemed a little prickly when asked about the Sabres' speed. He says his team is fast in its own right and claims that "team speed" is the most overrated thing in sports.
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April 21, 1997
At the Corel Centre in Ottawa, Dixon Ward scores with 19 seconds left in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie and give the Sabres a two games to one lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Ward's goal isn't the only incredibly dramatic moment. Seconds after a goal that gave Ottawa a 2-1 lead late in the second period, Dominik Hasek removes himself from the game with a knee injury that will debated for eternity in Buffalo. Backup Steve Shields overcomes a shaky start in relief to hold on until Ward's winner.
April 21, 1999
Dominik Hasek makes 40 saves, Curtis Brown gets the winner on the power play and the Sabres kill off eight of nine Ottawa power plays as they squeak out a 2-1 win over the Senators in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals at the Corel Centre. The Senators outshoot the Sabres 41-15. Hasek's best save comes with the Sabres nursing that 2-1 lead with 10 minutes to go in the third period -- The Dominator reaches back with his stick and robs Alexei Yashin of a certain goal.
April 21, 2001
The Sabres rout the Flyers 8-0 at HSBC Arena to take the Eastern Conference quarterfinals four games to two. For the record, the goal scorers are Chris Gratton, Doug Gilmour, Donald Audette, Dave Andreychuk, J.P. Dumont, Steve Heinze, Dumont again and Gratton again. The goaltender is The Dominator.
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April 20, 1980
At boisterous Chicago Stadium, the Sabres sweep the Blackhawks out of the playoffs with a 3-2 win in Game 4 of the quarterfinals. Gilbert Perreault scores the winning goal with three minutes left, and Bob Sauve stops 46 of 48 shots. The Sabres are on their way to the Stanley Cup semifinals for the first time since 1975, but they will have to wait nine days for that series to open at the Aud. The Sabres are hotter than pistols -- going back to the end of the regular season, they had lost only one of their previous 22 games!
April 20, 1981
In the quarterfinal round, the Sabres face elimination at Minnesota, down three games to nothing, but Craig Ramsay scores in overtime to send the series back to Buffalo. "Yes, Virginia, there will be another game!" exclaims Rick Jeanneret.
April 20, 1983
In Game 5 of the Adams Division final at Boston, with the series tied at 2, the Bruins maul the Sabres 9-0. Bob Sauve allows goals on the first two shots he faces and is replaced by Phil Myre. Myre will remember his one career playoff game in Buffalo for all the wrong reasons!
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April 19, 1981
In Minnesota, the North Stars beat the Sabres in Game 3, 6-4, pouring 49 shots on Don Edwards, to take a commanding three-games-to-none lead in the best-of-seven quarterfinal series.
April 19, 2001
The Flyers beat the Sabres 3-1 in Philly to avoid elimination and send the series back to Buffalo for Game 6.
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Three things (at least) that I'm worried about:
1. That fat bastard Ken Hitchcock. That's one helluva coach.
2. Young nerves in Game 1. All the pressure is on the Sabres to entertain the fans, and they are expected to win. After winning here recently, Philly has to love the idea of opening on the road.
3. The crowd in Philly can be intimidating. The same can't be said about the nice folks in Buffalo.
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And 75, 78 and 97.
98 worked for me. :)
Which brings me to this point: this is the eighth time these teams have met in the playoffs. How are they not our biggest rival?
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Good for Marty. We've seen him stand on his head before, but this shutout wasn't like that -- I wonder if he has ever played a more technically perfect game? It was a joy to watch. One for his new baby perhaps?
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I'm almost rooting for the Bruins to score. If that Gurgler guy says "Fe fi fo Fuhr" one more time, I'm going postal on him. Why aren't we playing Hasek? I am telling you... he will go down as one of the all time greats.
(Oh geez, here we go again...)
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April 18, 1993
At the Boston Garden, former Bruin Bob Sweeney scores in overtime to beat his old mates 5-4 and give the Sabres a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven opening-round series. Sweeney takes a pass from the forechecking Dave Hannan and beats Andy Moog from 30 feet with Yuri Khmylev setting the screen. Boston, winners of the Adams Division and second overall in the league, is a heavy favorite in the series. It's the sixth meeting in 11 years for the teams. The win snaps a seven-game losing streak for the Sabres -- and an eight-game winning streak for the B's. It turns the series on its head.
April 18, 2000
The Sabres avoid getting swept at home by the Flyers when Stu Barnes beats Brian Boucher in overtime of Game 4. Philly goes on to win Game 5 at home to take the series, 4-1.
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April 17, 1977
The New York Islanders take Game 4 at the Aud to sweep the Sabres out of the playoffs four games to none. It's the first time in its history Buffalo has failed to win a game in a playoff series. Gerry Desjardins replaces Don Edwards in goal, but it makes little difference. It's the second playoff year in a row that the Islanders have dispatched the Sabres. The upstart Isles are on their way to Stanley Cups -- the talented Sabres to a legacy of Stanley Cup playoff disappointments.
April 17, 1994
Dominik Hasek makes 30 saves in the Meadowlands as the Sabres shut out the Devils 2-0 in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Todd Simon makes his only goal as a Sabre count -- he pots the game-winner. In the net opposite Hasek? Rookie Martin Brodeur.
April 17, 2001
It's pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals between the Sabres and Flyers at HSBC Arena, with the Sabres leading the series 2-1. In overtime, Curtis Brown swoops in front of the Flyer net and throws it top shelf on Roman Cechmanek. Brown gallops down the ice with some help from jockey Jay McKee's whip to the backside and photo-finishes past Dominik Hasek, who is spinning on the ice along the Buffalo blue line. Out of nowhere comes one of the most joyous moments in Sabres' history.
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It's hilarious that people blame Bettman for "No Goal" and other alleged mistakes over the years. What was Gary supposed to do? I bet there aren't many Sabre fans who can tell me who the ref was on that "No Goal" call. Isn't he the real villain?
People who ply this conspiracy trade have to explain why the league has it out for Buffalo and not other small-market teams. The question that really destroys the Buffalo conspiracy theory is this: if Bettman wants to do the Sabres in, why didn't he take advantage of the obvious opportunity to ensure they would NEVER win: fold the franchise a few years ago? Instead he worked diligently to ensure hockey would remain in Buffalo. He deserves a standing ovation, but the night he appears at center ice at HSBC Arena and awards the Stanley Cup to the Sabres, I'm sure he'll be roundly booed.
People are funny.
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April 16, 1985: In the fifth and deciding game at Le Colisee in Quebec, the Nordiques come back from two goals down in the third period to beat the Sabres 6-5. The Nordiques score twice within 68 seconds to tie the game, then deliver the fatal blow off a turnover in the Buffalo zone when journeyman Brent Ashton beats Tom Barrasso with 1:09 remaining.
April 16, 1980
In Game 1 of the quarterfinal round at the Aud, John Van Boxmeer scores the winning goal and Don Edwards makes 17 saves as the Sabres shut out the Blackhawks 5-0. The Sabres score four power play goals. Edwards' heroics come one week after Bob Sauve records the first shutout in team playoff history. On this night, it's Edwards' turn in Scotty Bowman's goaltender rotation.
April 16, 1981
In another Game 1 of the quarterfinal round at the Aud, Minnesota's Steve Payne stuns the Sabres by scoring at 22 seconds of overtime to give the North Stars a 4-3 win and a 1-0 lead in the series. Adams Division rival Minnesota had finished 12 points behind division champion Buffalo in the regular season. The Sabres miss Danny Gare, who separated his shoulder in the preliminary round series with Vancouver. Gare scored 46 goals during the 1980-81 season.
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I would listen to Corp, everyone. Last night in the chat room after that train wreck of a second period, he predicted the Sabres would be "fine." Were they ever! Good call young man.
But what's this about the league hating the Sabres? I don't get it. This is classic Buffalo paranoia. And not just the fans do it. Larry Felser has a column today in which he claims the NFL gave the Bills more home games in the second half of the season than usual in order to hurt attendance and get revenge on Ralph for speaking out on the CBA. That's crazy.
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Now I have that Everclear song "AM Radio" in my head. Great tune.
"We didn't know about a World Wide Web/
Was a whole different game bein' played back when I was a kid"
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I wish Sabre fans all over the world would have a way of getting together and bitching about this sorry ass franchise! I did read about the Internets or some crazy thing where people would be networked to each other via their computers or something... Yeah, right. It'll be like the CB radio. Just a fad. I think I'll just call Art Wander and see if I can get on the air, or write a letter to Larry Felser. That's my only chance of being heard in this town! Go Bills!
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April 15, 1993
Alexander Mogilny scores his 76th goal of the year in a season-ending 7-4 loss to the Flyers at the Aud. Mogilny scores his 75th goal late in the second period to complete a Buffalo rally from a 3-0 deficit. He adds his 76th early in the third period, assisted by Pat LaFontaine, to tie the score at 4 before the Flyers tally three unanswered goals on Dominik Hasek. LaFontaine finishes the regular season setting Sabre records for assists (95) and points (148), while Mogilny establishes a new Buffalo record for goals (76) and points by a right wing (127). Mogilny also ends up tied with Winnipeg's Teemu Selanne for most goals in the NHL. But the offensive records don't cheer the fans, who see their team lose its seventh straight game, two of those losses coming against first-round playoff opponent Boston. Surely the Sabres will lose again in the first round of the playoffs.
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April 14, 1996
The Sabres have beaten the Whalers, 4-1, Seymour Knox has said goodbye to the Aud, and to us, the banners have been taken down in dramatic fashion and skated off, Marine Midland Arena-bound, the horn has blasted one last time after Pat LaFontaine slips the puck into the ceremonial empty net. Suddenly, the lights are off. The Aud, the building where the Sabres ? and a lot of us ? grew up, is gone. Then it happens. One final magical moment in a place whose history is filled with so many. A stirring chant of "Let's Go Buffalo!" crisply punctuates the air, the words shouted in unison with such passion the fans seem to think they can bring back Gilbert Perreault for one more breakaway goal. Fans cling to the Aud as the words "Thank you, fans" are cast on the darkened ice. But the chant, like the Aud itself, finally fades out and goes silent. A nostalgic, bittersweet night to say "farewell, old friend."
April 14, 2000
It's No Goal II as a shot by the Flyers' John LeClair goes through the side of the net -- and is counted. Philly beats Buffalo 2-1 to take a 2-0 lead in the first round of the playoffs as the best of seven series returns to Buffalo.
April 14, 2001
Jay McKee takes a drop pass from Erik Rasmussen and slides a half-speed shot along the ice past Roman Cechmanek in overtime to give the Sabres a 4-3 win over the Flyers and a 2-0 lead in the best of seven opening round series as it shuffles off to Buffalo.
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April 13, 1998
In a tense nationally televised 2-1 win over Philly at Marine Midland Arena late in the regular season, Dominik Hasek robs Trent Klatt with his blocker to make one of his all-time greatest saves. John LeClair, who had scored his 50th goal of the season earlier in the game, backhanded a perfect setup to Klatt in front of the net. Hasek dropped his stick, lunged to his right and extended his blocker across the goal crease to knock the puck past the left post as Eric Lindros raised his stick to celebrate the goal that never was.
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April 12, 1973
The Montreal Canadiens eliminate the Buffalo Sabres with a 4-2 win in Game 6. But the Habs cannot wipe out the spirit of the Sabres' faithful at the Aud, who sing their team's praises until the bitter end, serenading their boys with a chant of "Thank you Sabres!" The chant starts in the final minute, prompting Rick Martin to score a "you're welcome" goal with 12 seconds left, and continues through the postgame handshakes.
"The town was pretty much hockey-crazy. They were wild about the players, and the players were wild about the town," Schoenfeld would say 17 years later. "We had given everything we had and they recognized that. They were grateful for the effort. We were all moved by the chant. You never forget a moment like that."
Rene Robert didn't forget, either.
"I will never forget how good the crowd was to us," he said years later. "They stood behind us whether we won or lost. Not too many fans would give you a standing ovation for being beaten out of the playoffs."
"It was the most unbelievable feeling I've ever had," Coach Joe Crozier recalled.
April 12, 1992
The Sabres beat the Canadiens at the Aud in the first game after a 10-day players' strike.
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April 11, 1978
The Sabres win Game 1 against the Rangers at the Aud 4-1 and appear headed to an easy victory in the best-of-three preliminary round.
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April 10, 1973
Rene Robert scores in overtime to send the Sabres' first-round series with the Montreal Canadiens back to the Aud with Buffalo down three games to two. Rick Martin and Rene Robert score midway through the game to give the Sabres a 2-1 lead, but the Canadiens tie it at 2 late in regulation time. After that, Buffalo tries to hold off tremendous pressure from Montreal, even resorting to a measurement of Canadiens' goalie Ken Dryden's pads with less than a minute left in regulation time. The pads are indeed wider than the allowed 10 inches, but the Sabres can't capitalize on the resulting power play that spills into overtime. Nine minutes into the extra session, though, Robert is sprung free on the right wing by a pass from Gilbert Perreault and beats Dryden with a low shot along the ice.
April 10, 1988
John Tucker scores a power play goal in overtime to beat the Bruins 6-5 and tie the Adams Division semifinal series at two games a piece heading back to Boston for Game 5. Tucker has five points on the night.
This Day in Sabres History :: April 23
in This Day in Sabres History
Posted
April 23, 1995
Richard Smehlik takes on Eric Lindros in a matinee meeting between the Sabres and Flyers at the Aud late in the lockout-shortened regular season. The Sabres got a desperately needed win, 4-2.
April 23, 1999
Miroslav Satan taps the puck into an empty net off a rebound of a Jason Woolley shot in the second overtime as the Sabres beat the Senators 3-2 in Ottawa to take a two games to nothing lead in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The Little Devil also scored in the third period on the power play to tie the game and assisted on Joey Juneau's goal that gave the Sabres a 1-0 lead. After scoring the winner, Satan got down on all fours, crawled along the ice and finally flopped on his belly. Remember how much we loved him then?