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for November 2009
 After not doing it often in high school or college, Jonny Flynn and his Minnesota Timberwolves are starting to get a little too acquainted with losing. Wednesday night’s loss against the Portland Trailblazers was the 8th consecutive loss the Wolves have posted after being on the receiving end of a 107-84 whupping.
Pre-season hopes had been high for the Timberwolves, especially in the Twin Cities where fans thought that with a new GM, coach and roster the team would have a shot at a winning record. Sadly, those hopes are all but gone. Local critics are now saying they don’t have a realistic shot at winning more than a game or two until mid-December at the earliest, and in my opinion it could be well into the new year before they see consecutive wins.
Continue reading ‘Add Another Loss for Flynn, Wolves’
 This is setting up to be a long season for the Portland Pirates, and not in a way they would like either, as the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins scored six goals to defeat Portland, 6-1, in a fight-filled contest before 5,535 at Wachovia Arena on Wednesday night.
The loss dropped Portland to 1-8-0 on the road this season, their worst road start in franchise history, in a game that witnessed five fighting majors handed out to the Pirates, a bench minor for unsportsmanlike conduct, and a game misconduct for abuse of official by Pirates’ forward Hans Benson.
Continue reading ‘Loss Puts AHL Pirates In Foul Mood Headed To Buffalo Tonight’
 Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy made quite the splash Sunday night when he mentioned in passing the possibility of quarterback Michael Vick becoming a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2010. We discussed that story on Monday, but Dungy has now made further comments about what he terms “speculation” on Vick-to-Buffalo.
I’ve got three things to discuss briefly on the topic. After the jump: Dungy’s contradiction, Dungy’s opinion, and Dungy’s assertion.
Dungy’s contradiction
Here’s what Dungy said on NBC’s Football Night in America on Sunday night:
Continue reading ‘More Dungy commentary on Vick-to-Buffalo speculation’
 Fifth-year head coach Linda Hill-MacDonald has announced the signing of two players to National Letters of Intent as the early signing period began today. Rachel Bantelman (Olean, NY/Olean) and Kristen Sharkey (Manahawkin, NJ/Southern) will each join the Bulls for the 2010-11 season.
Bantelman is a 5-11 forward out of Olean High School and will fit in to play either the three or the four for the Bulls. Bantelman has won numerous awards for basketball and swimming in high school. She was named second-team All-State in 2009 as she helped lead her team to the New York State Final Four. She was also a first-team Big 30 All-Star and the CCIAC league MVP after an undefeated conference championship season. During the 2008-09 season, Bantelman led her team in points, rebounds, blocked shots and steals. The Olean, NY native has now led the varsity team in points and rebounds in each of her three seasons with the team. Bantelman has also served as team captain on the Olean High School swimming team where she has competed in the state championships in each of the last two years. Academically, she is in the top 10 percent of her class and has been a NYSPHSAA Scholar Athlete for the last five years.
Continue reading ‘Lady Bulls Sign Two For 2010-11 Season’
 With around six minutes left in the game and the Sabres holding on to a one goal lead, Clarke MacArthur gave the Edmonton Oilers a five minute power play after hitting Oilers forward Liam Reddox from behind. Reddox went awkwardly into the boards and stayed down for a considerable amount of time. MacArthur was assessed a major penalty for boarding, a game misconduct and all of a sudden, the Oilers were poised to tie the game with the man advantage.
Unfortunately for Oilers fans everywhere, Jochen Hecht and the rest of the Sabres penalty kill had other ideas. The wily veteran was a thorn in Edmonton’s side every time he was on the ice in the closing minutes and ultimately closed the game down for the Sabres, intercepting an Ales Hemsky pass and scoring in the empty net.
Continue reading ‘Sabres Hold On Against Oilers despite Penalties’
 As the St. Bonaventure men’s soccer team readies for its first Atlantic 10 Championship appearance since 1999, the A-10 announced that senior Sam Maheu earned Offensive Player of the Year while three other players garnered postseason awards as voted upon by conference coaches.
Maheu also garnered a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Conference first team and Academic team. Classmate Tyler Bellamy earned a nod to the Atlantic 10 All-Conference second team and junior Brett Allen landed on the All-Conference honorable mention team. Junior Kevin Okapal was awarded for his work on and off the field garnering an Academic team spot. This is the first time in program history that four players have been honored with postseason awards.
Continue reading ‘Bona: Sam Maheu highlights Atlantic 10 postseason awards’
 After an impressive two-game sweep of rival Mercyhurst, the Griffs return to the ice against Connecticut this weekend. Canisius will host the Huskies at the Buffalo State Sports Arena on Saturday and Sunday at 3:05 p.m. In addition, Tim Hortons will be providing fans with free hot chocolate and coffee before Saturday’s contest. The beverages will be handed out in the Buffalo State Sports Arena lobby, beginning at 2 p.m.
GRIFFS EARN FIRST SWEEP VERSUS MERCYHURST
• The Griffs sweep against Mercyhurst last weekend not only brought the team back to the .500 mark in conference play, but also earned Canisius its first-ever weekend sweep against the Lakers.
• Canisius has played Mercyhurst more than any other school in program’s history. The sweep was the first for the Griffs in the 60-game, 21-year series.
• The Griffs also won consecutive games for the first time against the Lakers since Dec. 2, 1996 and Jan. 19, 1996. Canisius needed to play Mercyhurst 39 times at the Division I level before winning consecutive games in the rivalry.
Continue reading ‘Canisius Hockey Hosts Connecticut for Two-Game Series’
 The Edmonton Oilers dragged themselves into the HSBC Arena Wednesday night on the heels of playing their third game in four nights. Nobody could’ve blamed them for looking tired and lethargic. Well, they were but fortunately for them the Buffalo Sabres were every bit as sluggish as their tired foes.
But at the end of the day the only that counts is the tally in the win/loss column. From Buffalo’s perspective they’ll gladly take the 3-1 victory that was earned in no small part by their penalty killing prowess.
“We did a good job of lanes.” Lindy Ruff said. “We did a good job of staying in front of people. When the puck was there, we did a good job of being there to get it out.”
Continue reading ‘First Report: Penalty Kill Keys Sabres 3-1 Win’
 Even after having a bye week, the extra time off has failed to heal the injury ravaged Buffalo Bills.
Terrell Owens was not a participant at practice today. He’s suffering from a strained hip.
“I don’t know,” Jauron said when asked about how it happened. “He practiced on Monday and it wasn’t bothering him. On late Tuesday all of a sudden it really started to bother him.”
“He was in meetings (today), but it was very uncomfortable for him. So right now it’s pretty uncomfortable. We’re kind of hoping it goes away as quick as it came. That’s our hope. We really won’t know anymore until tomorrow.”
Continue reading ‘T.O. Injured, Edwards Starting, Omon Cut’
  When possible on Buffalo Sabres’ game nights we’ll get a perspective from a writer covering the opposition. Derek from Copper and Blue was nice enough to answer some questions in preparation for tonight’s game with the Edmonton Oilers.
Special teams will be a key factor in tonight’s game. The Sabres power play has struggled this season but have scored a couple of power play goals in recent games. With the power play starting to click, the Oilers might be the perfect team to play against. Edmonton is in the bottom half of the league in both the power play and penalty kill.
Continue reading ‘Sabres Preview: Scouting the Edmonton Oilers’
 Before the 2008 NFL regular season ended – which, for the Buffalo Bills and even-then-embattled coach Dick Jauron, came in particularly brutal fashion – Bills fans across the nation began calling for a change at head coach. When their wish was not granted in late December of 2008, the countdown was officially on. Jauron’s 2009 coaching seat was hot from the moment owner Ralph Wilson chose to keep him days after the close of the 2008 season, and after a 3-5 start in ‘09, Jauron’s seat remains one of the hottest in the NFL.
There are websites, billboards and petitions dedicated to Jauron’s ouster. As with any lingering desire, aspects of the campaign have reached irrational levels in some circles. No matter what happens over the second half of this season, selling Jauron and the current regime of decision-makers at One Bills Drive to an understandably impatient fan base next season could prove difficult. Still, fans are only part of the rationale behind any given football decision, and even with all of the angst directed towards Jauron from every angle, there are ways that he can survive the 2009 season in Buffalo.
Continue reading ‘Five ways Dick Jauron can save his job’
 Like they have throughout a season of injuries and narrow losses, the University at Buffalo football team fought back valiantly throughout its nationally-televised game against Ohio University, coming back from a 14-point first-half deficit. In the end, however, the Bulls lost their third straight game decided on the final drive in a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to the Bobcats before 13,032 fans on Senior Night.
Senior wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt saved one of the finest games of his brilliant career for his final home game, catching eight passes for a career-best 165 yards and three touchdowns. Roosevelt led his team back from a 21-7 deficit in the first half with a collection of highlight reel catches.
Continue reading ‘Bulls Rally Falls Short Against Ohio On Senior Night’
 The AMCC announced its fall awards and the Mavericks were very well represented. The men’s soccer team racked up ten honors, women’s volleyball five and women’s soccer two.
The NCAA Tournament bound Mavericks flourished under Coach of the Year Dan Krzyzanowicz ,who garnered that honor for the third time. Senior Gary Boughton (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster)(pictured) earned Player of the Year honors for the second time in his illustrious career. Joining Boughton on the First Team were Alexander Rouse (Marcellus, NY/Marcellus), Kendell McFayden (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville North) and Josh Meier (South Wales, NY/Holland).
Continue reading ‘Medaille Well Represented on All-AMCC Teams’
   After missing nearly ten months of football, 2008 second round draft pick James Hardy officially returns to the Buffalo Bills this week. Barring a last minute setback at practice over the next few days, Hardy will be taken off the PUP list and added to the active 53-man roster.
The Bills have a lot invested in Hardy, including the high draft selection last year. They are eager to find out what they have in the former Indiana University star, as his rookie season last year is hardly enough to evaluate his future.
With Josh Reed and Terrell Owens both scheduled to become free agents after the year, the Bills will get him as much work as he can handle, which will help them evaluate what they’ll do at the position over the winter. Hardy caught 9 passes for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns last year before tearing up his right knee.
Continue reading ‘Bills Ready To Promote Hardy.. Who Gets Cut?’
 The Buffalo Bills face a curious problem at the safety position right now. Opening day starters Donte Whitner and Bryan Scott have each missed at least four starts this season, and while they’ve been down, rookie Jairus Byrd has established himself as one of the elite young players at his position. Now that Whitner and Scott are close returning to the lineup, the Bills have three legitimate starting safeties, but only two starting spots to occupy.
Luckily for the Bills, Bryan Scott is a multi-faceted weapon. He’s also a team player and a genuinely good guy, which makes removing him from the “starting” lineup all the easier. Byrd is a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year and the team’s best defensive playmaker by miles, so he’s not going anywhere. Whitner won’t sit, either, considering his versatility in coverage and the level of play he exhibited prior to his various injuries.
Continue reading ‘Scott’s return could glue Bills’ D back together’
 After starting 8-1-1, the Buffalo Sabres have fallen back to earth, losing three of their last four. Many fans will find this reminiscent of last year’s fall from grace in November that saw the Buffalo club lose 8 of their 13 games that month. This team will need to get back on the wagon real soon if they hope to regain some of their momentum heading into the seemingly tougher month ahead.
This Week’s Opponents:
♦ Wednesday – Home against Edmonton Oilers (8-8-1)
♦ Friday – Home against Calgary Flames (10-4-1)
♦ Saturday – Away against Philadelphia Flyers (9-4-1)
Continue reading ‘Sabres Prepare For Tough Week’
 Jonny Flynn is hardly used to losing. As the point guard at Niagara Falls high school he lead his team to the New York State public high school championship in 2005. Last year he helped engineer Syracuse to an improbable Big East title. So you’ll have to forgive him if he’s not used to the bitter taste of defeat on a regular basis.
But that’s exactly what’s happening early on during his NBA rookie season as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves. Simply put, the Wolves have been getting beat like a drum. Since a final second opening night victory against New Jersey, they’ve dropped their last seven games. Their last three defeats have come by an average of 25.6 points.
Continue reading ‘Losses Piling Up for Jonny Flynn’
 University at Buffalo head coach Turner Gill has announced that the following student-athletes have been ruled out of Tuesday’s game against Ohio due to injury, and that two other players will face disciplinary action
in the game.
Junior tailback Ike Nduka (ankle) and sophomore cornerback Joe Petit (concussion) have been ruled out of the game due to injury. True freshman tailback Jeffvon Gill will earn his first career start at tailback and will be backed up by Brandon Thermilus and Mario Henry.
In addition, quarterback Zach Maynard and wide receiver Terrell Jackson will both be held out of the first quarter of action because of a violation of team policies. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jerry Davis will make his first career start at quarterback.
Coach Gill will have no further comment on these matters until after the conclusion of Tuesday’s game.
(SOURCE: UB Athletics)
 Canisius College has selected one former student-athlete, one team and a current head coach to its Sports Hall of Fame for the Class of 2009. The three new members are Keith Applegate ‘95- baseball, Mike Rappl ‘77 – current head softball coach, former head women’s basketball coach and former athletic department administrator and the 1948 Football Team.
The ceremonies for the Hall of Fame will be held Sunday, Jan. 24, during halftime of the Golden Griffins’ Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference men’s basketball game against Saint Peter’s, which tips off at 2 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on GoGriffs.com and on the radio at CJRN 710 AM. For more information on the induction ceremonies and Hall of Fame Day activities, contact the Alumni Office at (716) 888-2700.
Continue reading ‘Canisius Announces 2009 Sports Hall of Fame Class’
 Even without young power forward Milan Lucic, the Boston Bruins physically dominated the Buffalo Sabres during Saturday night’s 4-2 victory, winning the vast majority of the battles in all three zones and hemming the Sabres in with a strong forecheck. The Bruins fourth line gave the Sabres fits, with Shawn Thornton and Byron Bitz delivering numerous punishing hits on the smaller Buffalo defensemen, blasting the Sabres in their own end and capitalizing on a careless turnover by Jason Pominville to put the game out of reach for the Sabres.
Things were even worse on the fight card for the Sabres. Thornton pummeled both Steve Montador and Paul Gaustad (although he grabbed hold of Gaustad before the big center had a chance to square up) and Mark Stuart knocked Jochen Hecht to the ice.
Continue reading ‘Lost Weekend Shows Sabres Still In Need Of Toughness’
 According to Bob McKenzie of TSN, the Buffalo Sabres have waived forward Adam Mair from the hockey team.
Mair has played in only three games for Buffalo this year in trying to bounce back from a hip surgery. He was held scoreless in those games, with no penalty minutes and a minus-one rating.
For his career, Mair has played 432 games for the Sabres that’s spanned since 2002. During that time, he’s accumulated 29 goals and 62 points while spending 628 minutes in the penalty box.
We’ll certainly have more on this developing situation throughout the day.
**UPDATE**- John Vogl of the Buffalo News reports that Adam Mair is at practice today, working as a spare on the team’s fourth line. If no team claims Mair off waiver by noon on Tuesday, he could be assigned to AHL Portland.
 While the Bills’ players licked their wounds during the bye week, it was also time for them to do a little soul searching. This includes more than merely getting back to the fundamentals of football, it means taking a long look in the mirror and deciding what they can do to get better on and off the field.
I was fortunate to have a trainer during my tenure with Bills by the name of Ed Abramowski. His name hangs on the wall of fame at Ralph Wilson Stadium, not only because he was good trainer, but as a testament to his dedication to the organization.
“Abe“, as we called him, kept a poster on the wall in the training room that read “Fame is a vapor, riches take wings, the only thing that endures is character.” That saying has been forever etched into my brain because it’s both true and often prophetic.
Continue reading ‘Jeff Nixon: Fame is a Vapor’
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Buffalo Sports Daily is live at UB Stadium tonight as the Bulls (3-6) are closing out their home portion or the schedule against MAC rival Ohio (6-3). Kickoff is at 7pm and the game is being televised nationally on ESPN2.
The Buffalo Bulls are set to play their second straight nationally televised game on Tuesday against Ohio University at UB Stadium.
