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for February 2010
 Niagara travels across the Grand Island Bridges to face archrival Canisius on Friday night to continue its season-long four-game road trip. The Purple Eagles are 8-2 in their last 10 games.
The Purple Eagles topped the Golden Griffins in the last meeting in front of a sold out crowd at the Gallagher Center in the midst of their five-game winning streak. Niagara held its rival to its lowest point total in the series in 32 years en route to snapping its four-game skid against Canisius.
Niagara now visits a Canisius team that has lost three of its last four games and the Purple Eagles look for their first regular season sweep of the Golden Griffins since the 2006-07 season.
Continue reading ‘Niagara, Canisius women to tangle on court tonight’
 Two years ago, if someone were to tell you Marshawn Lynch would be on the Buffalo Bills trading block, you’d have considered it a stupid joke. A real bad one. Lynch seemed to be on the fast track to NFL stardom after trucking his way to consecutive 1,000-yard seasons to begin his professional career. He was the sure-fire guy to have a long career in Buffalo. No way he’d be traded.
But two law run-ins and a suspension later, Lynch’s stay in the Queen City doesn’t seem as definite. To compound his “walking-on-thin-ice-situation”, Lynch lost his starting job to Fred Jackson when Perry Fewell was named interim head coach in November. In his 5-10 carries a game, he shockingly became ineffective. During the last third of the season with the Bills out of the playoff conversation, Jackson exploded as the Bills’ feature back, tallying a 1,000-yard campaign of his own. His tough running style and versatility won over the Bills faithful, something Lynch had done in his two years before. Jackson was diving ahead for first downs, while Lynch danced away from contact.
Continue reading ‘Could Lynch get moved to San Diego?’
 For the second consecutive game United State goaltender Ryan Miller gave up just one goal as the Americans moved to 2-0 in Olympic play with a resounding 5-1 victory over Norway on Thursday afternoon.
The Buffalo Sabres netminder stopped 10 of 11 Norway shots and has turned away 24 of 26 opponent chances through two games. For good measure he assisted on a goal after being robbed of another during the opening win against Switzerland Tuesday.
While Norway didn’t have a lot of shots, they did have a handful of great scoring chances and Miller was up to task on all but one of them.
Continue reading ‘Miller anchors Americans to 2-0 start’
 In what could only be described as shocking breaking news, the Buffalo Bills have announced that offensive tackle Brad Butler has decided to retire from football.
In an official statement to the team, Butler had the following to say.
“I would like to thank Mr. Wilson, my teammates and the entire Bills Nation for giving me the opportunity to represent the Buffalo Bills for the past four years. Playing in the National Football League has been a tremendous opportunity and a great blessing. However, my passion for education, country and community is something that I am ready to devote my full attention to. I believe the best way to pursue these spheres of interest is to step away from the game of football at this point in my life. I will always remember my time spent in Western New York with great affection. I wish my teammates and Bills fans the best of luck next season and into the future.”
Continue reading ‘Breaking: Brad Butler announces retirement’
 Five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Troy Vincent has been named NFL vice president of player development for active players, the NFL announced Thursday.
According to the press release, Vincent’s “primary role will be to oversee the continued implementation of a broad array of support programs for players and their families, including the Rookie Symposium, Conduct Management Program and LifeSkills, and the design of new programs responsive to the needs of incoming and current NFL players. As part of his role, Vincent will work closely with NFL clubs, coaches and players to ensure that these and other programs are both effective and fully utilized.”
Continue reading ‘Former Buffalo Bill named NFL VP of Player Development’
 There’s no denying the amount of production and experience lost from the 2009 baseball team.
It can be seen in the record books from the batters box (five of the top eight in career hits) to the pitching mound (four of the top five in appearances). It can be seen in the numbers of victories (113) by the winningest class in program history. It can be seen in the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft — Kevin Mahoney (23rd round, New York Yankees) and Kevin Mailloux (45th round, Seattle Mariners).
Despite all of those losses, one sign on how far the Canisius College baseball program has come under sixth-year coach Mike McRae is that after graduating the most productive class in program history, the Golden Griffins were picked third in the preseason MAAC Coaches’ Poll.
Continue reading ‘Canisius College baseball preview’
A pair of now former Buffalo Bills who were released less than 48 hours ago has already found work. Tight end Derek Fine was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Rams while linebacker Ashlee Palmer was picked up by the Detroit Lions.
Fine caught nine passes in eight games last year for just 64 yards. The fourth round pick from Kansas in 2008 had 19 receptions for 158 yards and a touchdown during his two seasons in Buffalo. Cleveland and Jacksonville also submitted claims but St. Louis was awarded Fine based on a worse 2009 record.
Palmer made the team last year as an undrafted free agent out of Mississippi. He had 11 tackles last season according to Stats. Inc and a rash of injuries temporarily forced him into the starting lineup.
 A day after Sen. Susan Collins released a statement about the Portland Pirates situation, Senator Olympia Snowe has now weighed in on the Portland Pirates potential relocation to Albany, NY.
“The Portland Pirates are a tremendous economic asset to the region and part of the fabric of the greater Portland Community. It is vital their home remains in Maine,” said Sen. Snowe in a statement.
The comments come after it was revealed last week in the Albany Times Union that it was Pirates organization that could be heading to Upstate New York, replacing the Albany River Rats, who will relocate to Charlotte, NC next season.
Continue reading ‘Pirates moving is now becoming political’
 (We’re running a series profiling players that could fit into the Buffalo Bills’ plans leading up to the start of free agency on March 5. Today we look at Pittsburgh Steelers defensive end Nick Eason)
First and foremost, if you’re waiting for profiles on big splashy free agent names you’re going to grow at least a year older than you are now. The reality for the Buffalo Bills and the rest of the NFL is a glaring lack of impact players who’ll be obtainable on the free agent market, and that talent pool is diminished even further without a collective bargaining agreement in place.
Had there been one, Ray Edwards and Marcus Spears could’ve been two defensive end prospects the team would’ve been interested in signing. But with no deal in place, both are restricted and Buffalo isn’t yielding precious draft choices for either.
Continue reading ‘Free Agent Files: Nick Eason’
 When the top two teams in Western New York boy’s high school basketball squared off Wednesday night with a regular season title hanging in the balance, there was plenty of drama to be expected. But by a few minutes into the third quarter the only mystery remained a question of who would win a coin flip.
Will Regan scored 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in his final regular season game and point guard Ron Canestro looked good with seven points less than halfway through the first quarter as top ranked Nichols completely rolled over second-ranked large school Canisius, 77-54 in front of an over capacity Nichols crowd.
When I say over capacity I’m not exaggerating; Fire Marshals were on hand to make sure no more people would pack into the gymnasium.
Continue reading ‘Nichols win regular season crown with destruction of Canisius’
 Junior goalie Jenni Bauer has been nominated for the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award announced today by USA Hockey. The Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award recognizes the accomplishments of the most outstanding player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey each season.
Bauer has started in net in every game this season for the Purple Eagles and has a 2.16 goals against average and .919 save percentage. Bauer has earned three College Hockey America (CHA) Defensive Player of the Week awards this season with the latest coming on Feb. 1 after a splendid weekend in net against then-No. 1 Mercyhurst. She stopped 83 of 85 shots and limited the nation’s top offensive squad to one goal in each game. She had a season-high 44 saves in Niagara’s 2-1 win over Mercyhurst. The win was NU’s first over a top ranked team and snapped the Lakers’16-game unbeaten streak.
Continue reading ‘Niagara’s Bauer Nominated for Kazmaier Memorial Award’
 Calgary Roughnecks goaltender Mike Poulin was named the National Lacrosse Leagues Overall Player of the Week for Week #6 of the 2010 NLL Season.The Week #6 NLL schedule consisted of games played on the weekend of February 12-14.
With his club hosting the Eastern Division leading Toronto Rock and trailing 5-1 in the second quarter, Poulin entered the game in place of starter Matt King. Poulin stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced, holding the Rock to three goals in the games final 42 minutes of play. The Roughnecks rallied to defeat Toronto 10-8 on Sunday.
Continue reading ‘Bandits’ Tavares, Goodleaf earn NLL honors’
 I spoke with a league source who told me the Buffalo Bills would like to sign restricted free agent George Wilson to a contract extension before NFL free agency starts on March 5.
According to the source, if the Bills are unable to reach an extension before the deadline they will apply a second-round tender on the fourth year safety. If the Bills tag Wilson with the tag at that level it would pay him $1.759 million for 2010 and force a team to give up a second round draft pick as compensation for signing him should the Bills not match an offer.
Wilson was valuable to the Bills in 2009, finishing second on the team with 91 tackles despite not starting full time. He also was second on the club with four interceptions and added a pair of sacks and a forced fumble.
Continue reading ‘Source: Bills want to extend Wilson’
 The University at Buffalo men’s basketball team won its fourth straight game, 64-51, over Bowling Green at Alumni Arena on Wednesday night. The Bulls drained 10 three-pointers to helped break the Falcons’ aggressive zone defense.
Rodney Pierce and Sean Smiley each hit four three-pointers for the Bulls. Pierce finished with 18 points and added six assists. Smiley added 14 points in 27 minutes off the bench.
Bowling Green (13-12, 6-7 MAC) took a 13-12 lead midway through the first half before the Bulls made a run. Buffalo outscored the Falcons, 19-3 over the next seven minutes and a Smiley three gave the Bulls a 31-16 lead with 3:58 left in the half. The Bulls extended their lead to 17 on a three-pointer by Pierce before settling for a 35-20 lead at the break.
Continue reading ‘Streaking Bulls Strike Bowling Green’
 A 20-6 run in the early stages of the second half helped #21/#20 Temple dismiss a feisty first half effort from St. Bonaventure and cruise to a 73-55 Atlantic 10 win on Wednesday night at the Reilly Center.
The loss moves the Bonnies to 10-14 overall and 3-8 in the A-10. The Owls have now won 12 straight in the series, as they improve to 21-5 and 9-2
St. Bonaventure senior Jonathan Hall turned in a gutsy 35 minutes, finishing with his third double-double in the last four games. Hall posted game-highs of 19 points and 10 rebounds, including five on the offensive end. He was the only player in double figures for the Bonnies.
Continue reading ‘#21 Temple powers past St. Bonaventure in second half’
Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post cites a league source that says other than Derek Fine and Ashlee Palmer, the other five Buffalo players released yesterday was because they failed their physicals.
Defensive end Jermaine McGhee, defensive end Marcus Smith, defensive back John Wendling, wide receiver Justin Jenkins and center Marvin Philip were the other five Bills players released yesterday.
Wendling and Jenkins were regarded as the two best special teams performers on the roster. Their releases came as at least mild surprises, especially this early in the season with each making the league minimum salary. Now we have a better idea as to why.
Bowling Green did UB a huge favor by beating Miami this past weekend. The win puts Buffalo within one game of Miami for third place, meaning Buffalo is now in full control of whether or not they manage a first round bye. The game, like many Falcons’ games including the last meeting, was not decided until the last minute or so of play. In the last meeting both teams started off with hot shooting before it became more of a defensive struggle. In the end it took a Sean Smiley three pointer with 4.7 seconds left for UB to seal the win.
Continue reading ‘College Hoops Preview: Bowling Green at UB’
 Bryan Bulaga (OT)-Iowa
6’6, 312lbs
Strengths:
Bulaga is my number two offensive tackle in this draft, though following his sophomore year he was regarded by many to be tops in the nation. He’s a sound technical player who demonstrates consistent footwork, hand placement and use of leverage to neutralize some of the best pass rushers in this country.
Continue reading ‘NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Bryan Bulaga’
 If you’re a fan of high school sports, it doesn’t get any better than tonight as the top two teams in Western New York face off when Canisius travels to Nichols in a boy’s high school basketball contest that will determine the regular season Monsignor Martin Association champion.
The situation is complicated. If Canisius wins they get the top seed when the Manhattan Cup postseason tournament commences on Sunday. If Nichols is victorious, there’ll be a coin flip following the game as the teams would have identical head to head, divisional and common opponent records.
Continue reading ‘BSD Briefs: February 17′
St. Bonaventure’s season-long three-game home stand comes to an end on Wednesday when it hosts nationally-ranked Temple at the Reilly Center. The Bonnies are hoping history will repeat itself on Wednesday, as it looks to pick up its first win over a ranked opponent since it defeated #20 Temple, 57-56, at the Reilly Center on Jan. 15, 2000. The Owls came in at #21 in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll. St. Bonaventure will look to rid itself of a 14-game losing streak against ranked opponents and an 11-game skid against Temple. The Bonnies will also look to avoid their first home losing streak of the season.
Continue reading ‘College Hoops Preview: Temple at St. Bona’
 The Medaille College men’s volleyball continues to climb in the rankings as they made huge strides in both the AVCA and NECVA weekly polls.
The Mavs began last week ranked 14th in the national poll and tied for 7th in the conference rankings. A great week of play that included wins over three ranked teams (including two top ten squads) catapulted the Mavs into a tie for 7th in the national AVCA poll and the Mavs jumped from their seventh place perch in the NECVA rankings into second place behind Baruch College in those rankings.
The Mavs are currently (13-4) overall and sit atop the NECVA Western Division standings at (6-0). The Mavs will hit the hardwood again on Thursday (2/25) when they host Hilbert College for a 7:00pm divisional tilt.
 It may have come a little closer than the casual hockey fan expected, but the United States Olympic hockey team got the ball rolling with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland Tuesday afternoon in the opening game for both teams.
Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres got the start for the Americans as expected and turned in a sharp opening performance. He stopped 14 of 15 shots as the U.S. scored the game’s first three goals before Switzerland broke the shutout just before the mid-mark of the third period.
Miller admitted in his post-game interview that he had butterflies in his stomach before the puck dropped.
Continue reading ‘Miller anchors Americans to opening Olympic win, 3-1′
The Buffalo Bills have officially released 7 players from their roster: TE Derek Fine, DE Jermaine McGhee, LB Ashlee Palmer, DT Marcus Smith, S John Wendling, WR Justin Jenkins and C Marvin Philip.
As first glance it immediately looks obvious that the news staff isn’t going to keep many players around that use special teams as their primary contributions. Wendling and Jenkins in particular are special teams stand outs.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the early release of Fine. It was assumed he’d at worst be the third tight end and have a chance to compete in training camp, but apparently Chan Gailey saw enough of Fine he didn’t like on tape to release him early.
None of the moves really have anything to do with saving salary.
 The Buffalo Bisons today announced their 2010 Spring Training schedule. The Herd will play a total of 10 games against the Triple-A affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Florida Marlins from March 19 – April 2.
Click HERE to view the entire 10-game schedule.
The New York Mets will open their 2010 Spring Training at Port St. Lucie, FL when pitchers and catchers report on Thursday, February 18. Position players are scheduled to arrive at Tradition Field on Tuesday, February 23. The Bisons are scheduled to break camp on Friday, April 2.
Continue reading ‘Bisons release 10-game exhibition schedule’
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UB Athletics was kind enough to make new head football coach Jeff Quinn available for an interview. Right now the coaching staff is busy getting ready for spring ball so I am very grateful for the time they have taken to answer these questions. 
