SabreSpace

'Weather the early storm. Home-ice advantage only counts until natives get restless.' … [Read more...] about Scouting report

'Kane, a Lockport landlord who had been fighting a $100 fine for violating a city garbage ordinance, paid it Wednesday rather than risk being jailed and missing tonight's seventh game of the Buffalo Sabres-Carolina Hurricanes playoff series. After his conviction in February, Kane repeatedly had said he would be willing to go to jail rather than pay the fine imposed on him. … [Read more...] about Sabres’ win leads to a fine decision

'As far as Rory Fitzpatrick is concerned, the Buffalo Sabres have already tackled this obstacle. "We faced elimination last night (Tuesday). That was a Game 7 for us," the Sabres defenseman said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres are sure, ‘Canes cranky

'Pominville scoffed at the idea he's putting himself in danger to draw a boarding penalty, and maintained he was unaware that Weight was bearing down for the hit on the end boards in the Sabres zone. "I never saw him coming," Pominville said. "I don't think I'm a diver. I've never been called for diving."' … [Read more...] about Maybe Jason should introduce himself

'The Carolina Hurricanes left HSBC Arena a rattled bunch Tuesday evening, crying about how the referees cost them a chance to clinch the Eastern Conference finals against the Buffalo Sabres. "I'd be running for the Zamboni doors, too. It's unbelievable," Hurricanes defenseman Aaron Ward said about the men in stripes.' … [Read more...] about Controversial calls are even, so may the best team reach finals

'Pominville said he didn't see Weight coming. It's a convenient story, but if a player carrying the puck behind his own net doesn't know where the opponents are -- especially the opponent closest to him -- his tenure in the league isn't likely to be a lengthy one. In fact, Pominville made a similar move earlier in the game. The Carolina checker that time was Niclas Wallin who … [Read more...] about Sportsmanship hard to enforce

'"I remember winning the Eastern Conference in Toronto (in 1999)," Ruff said. "We didn't have champagne, but we shook the hell out of the Diet Cokes, I'll tell you that. Why would you want a gag order? It's supposed to be fun, isn't it?"' … [Read more...] about Bench brawl heats up

'The 23-year-old also plays with such distracting determination on the ice that he becomes a target for opposition checkers. He was in the eye of the Hurricanes all through Game 6 of the Eastern Conference final, drawing three other penalties apart from the Weight infraction. He was so effective that the Canes, Weight included, were accusing him of diving after the game.' … [Read more...] about Pominville: From Buffalo’s ‘spare part’ to the top line

'"Lindy can't stop his tongue from wagging. I now understand why in previous series some of the other coaches [such as Ken Hitchcock of the Philadelphia Flyers] responded in the manner they did."' … [Read more...] about Ruff fuels Sabres’ motivation

'TSN was given the first and second games -- usually the lowest rated of a series -- and the sixth and seventh games, which wouldn't have been needed in a short series. But the deal worked out for TSN. It drew 1.1 million viewers for the sixth game on Tuesday, its fourth largest National Hockey League ever.' … [Read more...] about TSN winds up winner in sharing games with CBC

'"I don't want to hear it," Laviolette told reporters in Carolina yesterday, after being told of Ruff's comments. "There should be some sort of a gag order, honestly ... I don't want to answer any questions on Lindy -- it's a waste of my time."' … [Read more...] about Buffalo victory corks Carolina’s party plan

'There is no way, no acceptable way at least, that with that kind of experience and the gaping craters in the Sabres' defence, the Hurricanes should have let this series get to a point where a fluke goal will send them home. Yes the Sabres are playing like their hair is on fire, but the 'Canes should have been throwing water on them, not gas. While we fete the eerie resiliency … [Read more...] about Sabres celebration guaranteed

'Meantime, now that he's stirred the pot, Ruff will cool out with his own troops. "I don't want to overcook this. It will be a short meeting and let's get after it."' … [Read more...] about Ruff playing head games

'Carolina's Kevyn Adams says when Mair steps off the bench, a game's atmosphere changes.' … [Read more...] about Hamilton’s Mair is ready to rock all the way to the Stanley Cup

'Added Justin Williams: "Lindy can say whatever ... he wants. We're going to worry about what we do, not what he says about us."' … [Read more...] about Coaches huff and they puff