The University at Buffalo women’s swimming and diving team lost a close meet to the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday afternoon at Ohio’s Aquatic Center. The meet came down to the final relay with the Bulls just missing out on their first MAC win of the season, as they fell to the Bobcats 154-146. Senior diver Meili Carpenter swept the diving events for the second day in a row, setting an Ohio pool record while breaking her own UB record in the three-meter event.
The Bulls took an early lead with a first-place finish in the 400 medley relay as the foursome of Jessica Ballard, Brynn Marecki, Sam Palma and Caroline Simmons swam to an impressive time of 3:52.60. The next Buffalo win came from Marecki in the 100 breaststroke as she touched out the Ohio competition with a time of 1:06.17. Marecki also placed first in the 200 breaststroke with a time of 2:23.43. Freshmen duo Logan Mason and Dani Adank took a 1-2 finish in the 200 butterfly, finishing in times of 2:08.50 and 2:10.32, respectively. Simmons also picked up a first-place win for the Bulls, winning the 100 freestyle in a time of 52.36
“Coach” Sal Capaccio with our weekly Buffalo Bills preview. Big game going into the bye.
Key stat: Buffalo has given up 10 runs of 20+ yards this season, most in the NFL. Houston is third in the league with 8. Expect a big run at some point during this game.
The Buffalo Sabres’ Ryan Miller is off to a blistering start, topping the NHL with a 944 save % and 1.65 GAA in his first nine starts. His dominance during the first month of play should definitely send a message to Team USA hockey about who their starting goalie should be.
Primary competition for a Team USA roster spot (and playing time) will come from the Boston Bruins’ Tim Thomas, last year’s Vezina trophy winner. “I’m just going to play with him, he’s a great goaltender and a fine Michigan boy, the fact that we have two goaltenders from Michigan is a good thing. He’s a great guy and we have some rapport. We {USA} have some great goalies coming through the ranks, maybe more depth than we used to,” Miller said during my recent conversation with him.
Finally, you can keep your food down. Kicking ass the past 2 weeks, the Bills are now at 3-4. Hopefully, the urge to vomit up tailgating delicacies such as your New England Clam Chowdaaah or Meatball Sub has somewhat subsided. (Unless, of course, you completely anihilated these recipes. But my recipes are totally easy, so that would mean you suck at life.)
Let’s see if we can establish a pattern here. This week, as the Bills take on the Texans, I’ll be downing some delicious Chili con Carne. I guess we can tie it into a Texas theme, but honestly, chili and football go together like… umm… beer and football? Actually, I’m not quite sure anything goes together as harmoniously as beer and football, but since beer goes with pretty much everything–the simile stays.
I have to leave out some of this recipe’s “instructional” photos, for aesthetic reasons. I’ve come to the realization that chili looks remarkably like diarreah. But at least it doesn’t look as gross as this:
The Buffalo Bills have released their Week 8 injury report, and as usual with this team, it’s mostly bad news.
Six players have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans. Quarterback Trent Edwards (head), fullback Corey McIntyre (knee), tight end Shawn Nelson (migraines), tackle Jonathan Scott (ankle), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (knee) and safety Donte Whitner (ankle) will not dress. In addition, safety Bryan Scott – who hasn’t played in a month with a high ankle sprain, but who did practice on a limited basis all week – is listed as doubtful.
Williams will miss his first start since being drafted by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 Draft. Whitner and Scott, the team’s opening-day duo at safety, will (probably, in the case of Scott) miss their fourth and fifth straight games, respectively. Spencer Johnson starts for Williams. Jairus Byrd and George Wilson – who have combined for six interceptions over the past two weeks – will continue to get the call at safety.
Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay did not practice on Wednesday as his team prepares for a critical Week 8 tilt with the Houston Texans. Kelsay’s back locked up, according to BuffaloBills.com, and considering the soreness of the injury, it’s very much up in the air if Kelsay will participate in this weekend’s game.
For the first time in recent memory, Kelsay’s potential absence might be considered a huge blow to the team by the Bills’ fan base. One of the most maligned Bills players in recent memory, Kelsay’s head has been on the chopping block in the court of public opinion since the 2007 season. After picking up 12.5 sacks from ‘04 to ‘06 – including a career-high 5.5 in ‘06 – the Bills rewarded Kelsay with a four-year, $23 million deal that included an $8 million signing bonus. Kelsay did not live up to the deal in ‘07 or ‘08, however, picking up just 4.5 sacks in the 30 games he played two full years after signing his extension.
Quick! Which quarterback leads the NFL in yards AND touchdowns? (Pretend you didn’t just read the headline.)
Brees? Manning? Brady?
Why no, it’s Matt Schaub!
He has a slight advantage in that he hasn’t had his bye week yet, but it’s undeniable that Houston is a launching pad for a deadly passing attack that comes to Buffalo on Sunday.
Now, some may out-think themselves by pointing out that the Bills boast a top-10 pass defense, have allowed the fifth-fewest passing touchdowns and are second in the league in lowest passer rating by opponents.
It’s not hard to define what Thomas Vanek brings to the Buffalo Sabres. The Austrian winger was in the top five in the league for goals last year before his injury, and already has four goals in the seven games he’s played this season.
There’s nothing ambiguous about Ryan Miller’s contribution, either. He’s a top tier goalie who’s leading the league in both the Goals Against and Save Percentage category right now.
But this league is not, as this team has found out in recent years, only about flashy goal scorers and great net minding. Certainly those parts are necessary for a great team, but without a solid backbone, any team will fall apart. This year, it seems, the Sabres have grown back their spine.
There’s no mistaking when the Toronto Maple Leafs come to HSBC Arena tonight to take on the Buffalo Sabres, they’ll be doing so as the inferior team. They’re off to another miserable start, wining only 1 of their first 10 games. That’s not good news facing a Buffalo team that’s hotter than the Florida sun they recently visited.
The Sabres are ready to get cozy at home after successfully winning all three games on their road trip. They did on both ends of the spectrum, dominating Florida and New Jersey early en route to easy wins, and coming back for two points after trailing Tampa Bay in the waning seconds.
Buffalo owned Toronto in 2008-09, winning five of the six times the teams locked horns and none of the results being within a single goal. If the Leafs have something to hold their hat on, besides the usual plethora of fans that venture from Canada to invade the arena, it’s that their lone win in last year’s series came on Sabres’ ice (a 2-1 win on December 12, 2008).
The Portland Pirates were skating at Portland Ice Arena this morning where they held practice as they prepare for a pair of games this weekend against Lowell and Bridgeport.
Portland is looking to make a jump in the standings – currently last place in the Atlantic Division (3-7-0) with six points – and returning to the Civic Center couldn’t have come at a better time. After playing eight of their first 10 games of the season on the road, Portland is more than ready to enjoy some home cooking.
The Canisius hockey team continues league play with a pair of home games against three-time defending Atlantic Hockey champion Air Force. Canisius, who swept a pair of games at the nationally-ranked Falcons last season, will play Air Force on Saturday and Sunday at 3:05 p.m.
CON-VINCING COMBINATION
• Juniors Cory Conacher and Vincent Scarsella have been on the same page this season and have provided much-needed offense for the Griffs.
• Both players have recorded a team-best four points this season. Conacher leads the Griffs with three goals, while Scarsella has posted a team-high three assists.
• Scarsella has recorded the primary assist on all three of Conacher’s goals this season, while Conacher registered the primary assist on Scarsella’s tally.
The University at Buffalo women’s soccer team dropped their final game of the 2009 season to Kent State this afternoon, 2-0.
The first half was evenly matched, with both teams getting chances to score. Senior Jennifer Mihok had a shot blocked early in the match, and Stephanie Velez and Aubrey Stahl each added to the first half shot tally. Kent State took a one goal lead late in the first half with a goal by Rachel Dennis at the 42:20 mark. The goal came as Dennis was fed a pass from the right side and booted it past UB goalkeeper Amy Coron.
Last night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Western New York native Jonny Flynn and his Minnesota Timberwolves opened their regular season. Wolves fans and Twin Cities sports enthusiasts alike came out to see how Flynn would perform when the pressure was really on with the games now counting in the standings.
Flynn past his first test with flying colors. With a fourth quarter point deficit that left Timberwolves fans wondering if Flynn was the right choice, he came through, cementing in any doubters minds that despite losing Ricky Rubio earlier this summer there was a new regime and Flynn intends to be at the forefront of the change.
Trick or Treat: Five teams still alive in Cup playoff hunt
Halloween conjures up all kinds of thoughts of ghouls and goblins this time of year. With just two weeks remaining on the Harvard Cup regular season schedule, eight of nine teams are still mathematically alive in the hunt for the coveted four playoff spots.
Only undefeated Burgard has one of the top four spots locked up. The Riverside Frontiers, winners of five straight games, look to clinch a playoff spot and kill any of Lafayette post season aspirations Saturday as both teams headline the Intense Milk Harvard Cup Radio Game of the week on 1440 AM WJJL. Listen live or archive:
A collective– and expected sigh of relief was felt through the Buffalo Sabres nation Thursday as it was announced that star rookie defensemen Tyler Myers would remain with the team and not be sent back to Juniors. The organization had until after the ninth game to make a decision.
Buffalo has for a long time been less than stellar in their defensive zone. Perhaps it began with young prospect Dmitri Kalinin, who never truly developed to be the player the organization hoped he be.
The blue line was lacking even more after the Sabres traded Brian Campbell to the San Jose Sharks for Steven Bernier and a first round draft pick. At the time Campbell was touted as one of the top defensive forces in the league and it signified a serious lack of commitment in the Buffalo organization to foster any real sort of dominant defensive presence on the team. That, plus they didn’t want to pay him.
Lately the Buffalo Bills defense, particularly in the passing game, has transformed from door mat to turnover machine. Despite getting little— OK, next to none—help from the offense, the Bills are not the team you’re looking to start your fantasy football quarterback against.
Last year the defense picked off all of 10 passes in 16 games. Terrence McGee led the team with three of them. The safeties accounted for exactly zero picks. It wasn’t exactly the kind of legend that struck fear into hearts of quarterbacks.
This year is a different story. Quarterbacks would rather try to run through Albert Haynesworth than put the ball in the air against the Bills. Buffalo already has 13 interceptions through just seven games. There’s plenty of credit to go around. Jairus Byrd and his five interceptions in three weeks has become an overnight star. George Wilson has picked of a pass in consecutive games. Heck, even Paul Posluszny and Aaron Schobel have gotten in on the action. At this rate, I’m waiting for Kyle Williams to nab one.
The Buffalo Sabres are playing like a team buying into the system Lindy Ruff preaches. The Sabres came out flying on Wednesday night against the Devils, scoring two goals in the first six minutes against a hot New Jersey team that entered the game riding a three game winning streak.
Clarke MacArthur began the scoring when he tapped a rebound of a Craig Rivet shot past Martin Brodeur 1:21 into the first period, while Tim Kennedy scored the first goal of his NHL career on a soft wrister to make it 2-0. Paul Gaustad and Jason Pominville added insurance in the third period to cement a stifling Sabres win.
The Buffalo Bisons today announced their game times for the 2010 season, their 125th season of professional baseball in Buffalo. The home portion of the 2010 season will begin with a 3:05 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday, April 14 against the Pawtucket Red Sox.
The biggest change to the Bisons schedule is the addition of night games on most Thursdays. Ten of the team’s 13 games on that day will now be played at night. The Bisons will also host a Sunday night game next season on August 1 against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (7:05 p.m.).
After a rough first half, the Wildcats stormed back and got a huge win at Carlow, 3-2 in overtime. Lindsay Miller scored on a free kick from about 25 yards out with 30 seconds left in the initial overtime period.
Carlow scored first in the 17th minute on a free kick by Maurielle Blake from about 20 yards out. The score remained 1-0 going into the half. The Wildcats came out strong in the second half and scored two goals in the first 10 minutes. Jessica Hutton scored first sending one just underneath the crossbar from about 30 yards out. Five minutes later, Alicia Vasiloff dribbled in on a 2 on 1, chipped it over the last defender’s head for Kelsey O’Leary to run on to, and headed it in with an on coming keeper at the top of the box. The Wildcats controlled the action through most of the half but Carlow scored off of a rebound around the 70th minute.
Seniors Brandon Loncar and Zack Eastman each scored twice as Buffalo State (8-9-1) ended its season with a 7-0 trouncing of Daemen Wednesday at Amherst High School.
Chris Haney tallied a goal and two assists, and Steve Orfanos and Thomas Karanas also scored. Tony Schiappa added a pair of assists.
Baggage.. And a penchant for throwing others under the bus. That’s the reputation, earned or not that followed Terrell Owens to Buffalo.
In a past littered with on-and-off field feuding with quarterbacks, offensive coordinators and receiver coaches a like, Owens vocal antics have filled up a library worth of ESPN material.
It’s been a different story in Buffalo, though– a polar opposite of sorts. We’re now nearly half way through the season, and as evidenced by his press conference today, the only person T.O. is throwing under the bus appears to be himself.
So after tonight the drama ends. Buffalo Sabres’ rookie defensemen Tyler Myers is playing his ninth and final game against New Jersey, before general manager Darcy Regier must decide to keep him and have his rookie contract kick in, or send him back to his Junior hockey team, Kelowna.
Since we pride ourselves here at Buffalo Sports Daily on making bold predictions, we’re going to put our hard-earned reputation on the line and conclude Myers is going to stick around. We think he just may have a future in this town.
Rodney Pierce has been named to the All-Mid-American Conference Preseason Team. Pierce, a senior shooting guard, is coming off the best season of his career. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game en route to earning All-MAC First Team honors last year.
Pierce was only the second UB player to ever be named to the first team and he is the first to return the following season. Turner Battle was also named to the first team his senior season in 2005.
Buffalo Bills wide receiver James Hardy is currently dating Antonio “Toya” Carter, ex-wife of well known rapper Lil’ Wayne. She co-starred in the BET reality show “Tiny and Toya”
Carter, who lives in Georgia just turned 25. According to the popular urban website, Media Takeout.Com, one of the lavish gifts she was received was actually a pink-colored hand gun.
The site captioned the picture as saying “Her boyfriend NFLer James Hardy bought her a pink glock.. Before ya’ll start going crazy, she lives in Georgia, ad you can practically buy a bazooka there legally.”
Every franchise has its share of draft day disappointments. Buffalo is certainly no exception, and its critics may claim the team is the standard for draft busts. John McCargo is just the latest in a long line of first-day picks that haven’t lived up to expectations.
The 2006 NFL draft is an easy target for loyal Buffalo followers. The team selected the underachieving Donte Whitner with the eighth overall pick, snubbing talented defensive tackle Haloti Ngata along the way. Then, believing they had found a defensive tackle that better fit their scheme, they traded up with Chicago for the chance to take John McCargo late in the first round.
The University at Buffalo women’s swimming and diving team lost a close meet to the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday afternoon at Ohio’s Aquatic Center. The meet came down to the final relay with the Bulls just missing out on their first MAC win of the season, as they fell to the Bobcats 154-146. Senior diver Meili Carpenter swept the diving events for the second day in a row, setting an Ohio pool record while breaking her own UB record in the three-meter event.
The Buffalo Sabres’ Ryan Miller is off to a blistering start, topping the NHL with a 944 save % and 1.65 GAA in his first nine starts. His dominance during the first month of play should definitely send a message to Team USA hockey about who their starting goalie should be.
Finally, you can keep your food down. Kicking ass the past 2 weeks, the Bills are now at 3-4. Hopefully, the urge to vomit up tailgating delicacies such as your 
The Buffalo Bills have released their 
Quick! Which quarterback leads the NFL in yards AND touchdowns? (Pretend you didn’t just read the headline.)
It’s not hard to define what Thomas Vanek brings to the Buffalo Sabres. The Austrian winger was in the top five in the league for goals last year before his injury, and already has four goals in the seven games he’s played this season.
There’s no mistaking when the Toronto Maple Leafs come to HSBC Arena tonight to take on the Buffalo Sabres, they’ll be doing so as the inferior team. They’re off to another miserable start, wining only 1 of their first 10 games. That’s not good news facing a Buffalo team that’s hotter than the Florida sun they recently visited.
The Portland Pirates were skating at Portland Ice Arena this morning where they held practice as they prepare for a pair of games this weekend against Lowell and Bridgeport.
The Canisius hockey team continues league play with a pair of home games against three-time defending Atlantic Hockey champion Air Force. Canisius, who swept a pair of games at the nationally-ranked Falcons last season, will play Air Force on Saturday and Sunday at 3:05 p.m.
The University at Buffalo women’s soccer team dropped their final game of the 2009 season to Kent State this afternoon, 2-0.
Last night at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Western New York native Jonny Flynn and his Minnesota Timberwolves opened their regular season. Wolves fans and Twin Cities sports enthusiasts alike came out to see how Flynn would perform when the pressure was really on with the games now counting in the standings.
Trick or Treat: Five teams still alive in Cup playoff hunt
A collective– and expected sigh of relief was felt through the Buffalo Sabres nation Thursday as it was announced that star rookie defensemen Tyler Myers would remain with the team and not be sent back to Juniors. The organization had until after the ninth game to make a decision.
Lately the Buffalo Bills defense, particularly in the passing game, has transformed from door mat to turnover machine. Despite getting little— OK, next to none—help from the offense, the Bills are not the team you’re looking to start your fantasy football quarterback against.
The Buffalo Sabres are playing like a team buying into the system Lindy Ruff preaches. The Sabres came out flying on Wednesday night against the Devils, scoring two goals in the first six minutes against a hot New Jersey team that entered the game riding a three game winning streak.
The Buffalo Bisons today announced their game times for the 2010 season, their 125th season of professional baseball in Buffalo. The home portion of the 2010 season will begin with a 3:05 p.m. first pitch on Wednesday, April 14 against the Pawtucket Red Sox.
Seniors Brandon Loncar and Zack Eastman each scored twice as Buffalo State (8-9-1) ended its season with a 7-0 trouncing of Daemen Wednesday at Amherst High School.
Baggage.. And a penchant for throwing others under the bus. That’s the reputation, earned or not that followed Terrell Owens to Buffalo.
So after tonight the drama ends. Buffalo Sabres’ rookie defensemen Tyler Myers is playing his ninth and final game against New Jersey, before general manager Darcy Regier must decide to keep him and have his rookie contract kick in, or send him back to his Junior hockey team, Kelowna.
Rodney Pierce has been named to the All-Mid-American Conference Preseason Team. Pierce, a senior shooting guard, is coming off the best season of his career. He averaged 14.3 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game en route to earning All-MAC First Team honors last year.
Every franchise has its share of draft day disappointments. Buffalo is certainly no exception, and its critics may claim the team is the standard for draft busts. John McCargo is just the latest in a long line of first-day picks that haven’t lived up to expectations.
