SabreSpace

'"We had to respond after what happened in Game 2 in Buffalo," Flyers head coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We have to play to win. We have a tendency to make things interesting in the end but we did some good things tonight."' … [Read more...] about Philadelphia 4, Buffalo 2

'The Sabres are 11-1 all-time in a series when they've won the first two games.' … [Read more...] about Game Three: Sabres Vs. Flyers Notes

'The Sabres skated circles around the Flyers and got 58 shots in the opener but needed double overtime to win because Flyers goalie Robert Esche stood on his head. Then Buffalo ran all over Philadelphia in Game 2, scoring twice in the first three minutes, five times in the first period and eight overall. In other words, the Flyers haven't shown they have any way of … [Read more...] about Reeling Flyers losing games, but not their minds

'The concerns about how the young Sabres would stand up to their opening tests of the postseason have vanished. "It was more the people on the outside who thought that," Sabres rookie right wing Jason Pominville said Tuesday. "On the inside, we know what we're capable of. We're a young bunch of guys that give an honest effort every night. So far it's been good, and hopefully … [Read more...] about Sabres keep emotions, Flyers in check

'"I think maybe the benefit was him getting the couple weeks off late in the year," coach Lindy Ruff said. "He looks as fresh as training camp to me. He's been solid, he's been quick, just very reliable and very few poor decisions."' … [Read more...] about Numminen seeks finishing kick

'Philly is an overmatched, poorly conceived team. Watching them flail around in the first two games, it was hard to fathom how they got 101 points. The greater mystery is how Bobby Clarke keeps his job as general manager. It's as if he intended to construct a defense uniquely ill-suited for the new NHL.' … [Read more...] about Flyers cursed by poorly built squad

'"I think part of it is the focus goes away from his players," Ruff said. "But I think Hitch is right. I've got to focus on my team and how I want them to play, and that's where it's all going to lie. I was emotional, he was emotional. I'm over it."' … [Read more...] about Hitchcock apologizes for his foul language

'"The Sabres are the best team no one knows about. Not many people know about our players. But they can all skate and pass and they are having career years. They're young enough to continue to have career years. There isn't a guy who can't skate and handle the puck. You can play physical hockey, but you can't hook or hold. If you take penalties, they'll eventually kill you."' … [Read more...] about Flyers must learn game has changed

'But for the Sabres, there's only one thing they must do. "We've just got to play," Roy said. "You've got to bring your level of intensity. But you can't get too excited. You've got to take it as another game."' … [Read more...] about Youthful Sabres gain experience

'Meanwhile, Adelphia hopes to reach a deal with Outdoor Life Network, which broadcasts the NHL playoffs nationally, that would temporarily place OLN on a lower channel. That would allow more subscribers to watch playoff games without having to upgrade their service.' … [Read more...] about Adelphia to televise Sabres tonight

'For those of you with Center Ice some good news. Center Ice will go with local RSN feeds which means subscribers will not have to suffer through a network changing games like TSN did last night (which caused Center Ice viewers to miss half of the 2nd and 3rd periods).' … [Read more...] about Sabres vs. Flyers, Game 3

'Lindy Ruff knows he's big in his city-- that's how he likes it.' … [Read more...] about Best-loved Sabre is behind bench

'"I think Hitch is right," Ruff said yesterday in the wake of the Sabres' 8-2 win over the Flyers Monday, giving Buffalo a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference quarter-final. "I've got to focus on my team and how I want them to play. And that's where it's all going to lie."' … [Read more...] about Ruff turns focus away from ‘idiots’

'What is ironic about Campbell's aberrational physicality -- he had only 16 penalty minutes in 79 games this season -- is that he is the kind of player who has benefited the most from the NHL's crackdown on the clutching and grabbing and cheap-shoting that once plagued the sport. With more room to operate in "the new NHL" Campbell scored 12 goals and 44 points this year after … [Read more...] about Big hit by Campbell has Philly totally off its game

'In each game, Buffalo has gotten off to a quick start. “I think we’re mentally prepared for these games. It’s crazy to say you have to get mentally prepared for a playoff game, but it’s true. Everyone wants to go out and make a difference,” Derek Roy said. “We played at home and got some great support from our fans. Going on the road … [Read more...] about Tough talk subsides before Game 3