SabreSpace

'"It was kind of a little scrum there, and I just backed up to get in position," Fitzpatrick said after the 4-2 loss. "Looking around, I thought the puck was still in the scrum, and I never saw it."' … [Read more...] about A frozen moment lingers for Fitzpatrick

'McKee's strep infection developed when bacteria came into contact with a gash caused by a blocked shot he took in the second round against the Ottawa Senators. The cut didn't require stitches, but it wouldn't close because pucks repeatedly struck the area in practices and games. Strep infections of the skin are rare, but cases involving athletes usually are the result of old, … [Read more...] about Sitting doesn’t suit McKee

'Of course, there will be more questions than answers during the offseason. It's the case for 29 teams that fail to win the Stanley Cup. What would have happened had the Sabres not been stricken by an unfathomable string of misfortune? What if they would have had six healthy defensemen? Or had they converted numerous chances in Game Five?' … [Read more...] about Plenty of pride despite agony of defeat

'"My favorite new rule in the NHL cost us the frigging game," an emotional Miller said in the RBC Center. "Stupidest thing ever. I don't see how that should ever decide a game. Two guys forechecking a player, he goes to make a quick play in the bad ice in springtime, and it goes out of play. You're telling me that's a rule? They gotta wake up."' … [Read more...] about Miller blasts rule that sent Campbell to penalty box

'Disappointment. Frustration. Heartbreak.' … [Read more...] about Sabres' magical season still one to be remembered

'The gritty Sabres, carrying the hopes of western New York fans with them, lost to the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 in Game 7 of the NHL Eastern Conference finals Thursday, missing out on a chance to play in the Stanley Cup finals for the third time in the Buffalo team's history.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ wild ride screeches to halt

'It was Boston's Brad Park in 1983 and Dave Reid in 1992, New Jersey's Claude Lemieux in 1994 and Pittsburgh's Darius Kasparaitis is 2001. Now add Rod Brind'Amour, who ripped a loose puck high past goalie Ryan Miller on the power play with 8:38 left for what proved to be the game-winner, as opponents sent another dagger through the Sabres and the hearts of their fans to win a … [Read more...] about Weary Sabres run out of steam

'“My heart is broken."' … [Read more...] about Agony of defeat

'And still, only a stellar game by Sabres’ goalie Ryan Miller, who stopped 24 of 28 shots, kept this one from turning into a laugher before the halfway point. Why? Because Daniel Briere and J.P. Dumont were held without a shot, and their line mate, Jason Pominville, had just one. Because Maxim Afinogenov also managed a single shot, and that wasn’t until the third … [Read more...] about All too quickly, it&#8217s over

'At 11:22, with the 'Canes on a power play and buzzing around in the Buffalo end, the Sabres' defencemen lost sight of the puck. It seemed to sit just out of the reach of goaltender Ryan Miller for an eternity until finally, Rod Brind'Amour pounced on it and banged it into the net. "We were all yelling and screaming on the bench," said Buffalo captain Daniel Briere. "It was … [Read more...] about Sabres hopes D-stroyed

'Weight made good on a promise he'd made after Game 6, when he took a penalty that led to the Sabres' overtime winner. Weight apologized to his teammates and vowed that he would redeem himself in Game 7, which he did with a goal and an assist. Not to be outdone, Brind'Amour gave a stirring speech during a players-only meeting Wednesday and both were credited for galvanizing the … [Read more...] about Hurricanes in heaven

'No active player in the NHL has played more playoff games without winning a Stanley Cup than Glen Wesley. And the way the 37-year-old defenceman for the Carolina Hurricanes sees it, he'll never have a better chance than he does right now to put that streak to an end. Last night's 4-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference final was Wesley's 162nd … [Read more...] about Wesley takes his best shot

'While CBC is barely able to contain its enthusiasm, the folks at NBC and the NHL have to be dreading the final match-up. Whether it's Buffalo or Carolina taking on the Oilers, there's a good chance this series could score the lowest prime-time ratings in U.S. television history.' … [Read more...] about NHL, NBC won’t be sharing CBC’s joy

'This was a game for the ages, 60 minutes of up-and-down hockey between two equally determined teams, one, the Sabres, woefully short of experienced players but not in heart. The Hurricanes answered in kind, and the result was a playoff thriller.' … [Read more...] about 2006 Stanley Cup: Oilers vs. Hurricanes

'Without McKee, who had been the Sabres' top defensive player and shot blocker before missing last night's game with a leg infection, Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller had his hands full. In the first two periods, he stopped 17 Carolina shots -- including a point-blank one-timer by playoff scoring leader Eric Staal -- and was helpless on the Commodore goal.' … [Read more...] about ‘Canes edge Sabres to earn Cup berth