SabreSpace

'Buffalo's Erik Rasmussen on Roman Cechmanek in Game 1: "The first goal was a boost goal for us. It put the doubt out of everybody's minds that he can't be beat." ... Asked if he thought tomorrow's game was a must-win, Mark Recchi said, "Yeah, we feel that way. We know the situation."' … [Read more...] about The Flyers Scoop

'The tone Thursday was set by Flyers coach Bill Barber, who told his team that it played "OK" Wednesday -- but that "OK" was not good enough.' … [Read more...] about Recchi set to take another shot at Hasek

'Although he skated Thursday at the team's practice facility, he is not due to be re-evaluated by doctors until Monday and the Flyers have figured he would not return until the second round of the playoffs. His teammates are scheduled to play Game 3 in Buffalo Monday night.' … [Read more...] about Primeau primed for appearance in second round

'"Going back to their building down 2-0 starts to change things," said Primeau. "I get more and more antsy."' … [Read more...] about Flyers need to boost offense

'The good news for the Flyers Thursday was that center Keith Primeau skated for the second straight day and reported no pain in his sprained left knee. The bad news is that the Flyers could be trailing the Buffalo Sabres by three games before he returns to the lineup.' … [Read more...] about Flyers' top line is off line

'Gagne has played in nine games since coming back from a partial dislocation of his left shoulder. He has zero goals.' … [Read more...] about Who is that Flyer? Uniform, if not performance, says Gagne

'Initially, the Flyers thought he would miss the entire first round. But after Primeau skated Wednesday and Thursday, there is a shred of hope Primeau could return before this series is over.' … [Read more...] about Primeau might return vs. Sabres

'Cechmanek, who allowed two goals in a four-game sweep of Buffalo during the regular season, becoming the first goalie to beat Hasek four times in one season, gave up two soft goals in the first period of Game 1. The Flyers aren't blaming their goalie, though. They point instead to the offense's inability to capitalize on its scoring chances against Hasek.' … [Read more...] about It's the Flyers' turn to worry about a goalie

'Gratton is very familiar with the Philadelphia sports scene and how the fans can get on a player. For parts of two seasons as a member of the Flyers, Gratton became a regular target for frustrated hometown fans. Acquired as a high-profile free agent in 1997, Gratton arrived in Philadelphia with plenty of fanfare and expectations -- touted to be one of the final pieces in … [Read more...] about Gratton's goal silences Philly boo birds

'Now residing near Buffalo, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Nolan, through his work with Team Indigenous, is continually working to open doors for Native athletes. One day, he would like to see his people represented in Olympic competition. He isn't just pushing for youngsters to audition for teams from North and South America. He'd like to see them represent their own nation, the … [Read more...] about Beyond The Game

'Roman Cechmanek got the Philadelphia Flyers this far. They're not turning their backs on him now.' … [Read more...] about Flyers counting on Cechmanek

Like the deranged man who took a hammer to the Liberty Bell last weekend, the Sabres put a serious dent in Roman Cechmanek and the Philadelphia Flyers. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Flyers "To the Point"

Czech-mate? It certainly seems like Sabres' veteran Dominik Hasek taught the rookie Roman Cechmanek a lesson in the chess game of hockey pressure. … [Read more...] about Sabres-Flyers: “Sharpening the Swords.”

'The Sabres found just enough holes Wednesday night to squeeze out a 2-1 victory in the series opener before 19,543 fans in the First Union Center. For one game anyway, it appeared the Sabres had found an answer for the one goalie who tormented them like none other in recent history. He looked human.' … [Read more...] about Czech, please: Sabres cash in

'Curtis Brown says he's noticed the change over the last few weeks. He could see it in Doug Gilmour's eyes, the glowing anticipation of an athlete who had been there many times before, and could hardly wait to get back again. "Oh, yeah. He's ready to go," Brown said before Wednesday's playoff opener against the Flyers. "He's been … [Read more...] about Gilmour lights Sabres' lamp with spirit