When you’re facing a team clearly inferior on paper, there’s always the threat of getting caught looking ahead. The Buffalo Sabres are in the playoffs and the Florida Panthers are not. When Florida got on the board just 1:51 into the game, it looked like the Sabres may get lulled into a poor performance.
Turns out they were merely playing possum.
Buffalo dominated over most of the next 58 minutes in taking another step towards securing a high seed in the playoffs. The 6-2 victory in front of an ecstatic HSBC Arena crowd gave them their seventh victory in their last eight games.
Continue reading ‘Sabres dominate Panthers 6-2; take over 2nd in East’
It’s that time of the year and the ballots have been collected and tallied, and it’s time to start announcing the winners for the annual awards in the AHL.
It’s starting off strong for the Portland Pirates as forward Tyler Ennis has been named to the AHL All-Rookie Team for 2009-’10.
Ennis, 21, is currently with the Buffalo Sabres where he’s scored one goal, two assists in three games. He’s been one of the top forwards with Portland all season long where he’s scored 23 goals, 42 assists for 65 points in 69 games.
Ennis was named to the AHL All-Star Classic held in Portland where he won the All-Star MVP award, scoring a goal and two assists.
Continue reading ‘Tyler Ennis named to AHL All-Rookie Team’
The Buffalo Bills have brought in a veteran wide receiver to the mix, adding free agent wide receiver Chad Jackson, the team announced.
Jackson was highly touted as a second round draft pick of New England in 2006. In fact the Patriots moved up 16 spots in the second round with Green Bay to acquire him.
But since then he’s done next-to-nothing during his career. His two seasons with the Patriots were marred by injuries as he caught just 13 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.
After being cut by New England in 2008 he was picked up by the Denver Broncos. He played in four games for them, catching one pass for 19 yards.
He was out of the league in 2009.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills sign WR Chad Jackson’
The Buffalo Bills found out this afternoon who their preseason opponents will be. Buffalo will open the preseason at Washington. The next week they’ll host the Indianapolis Colts in Toronto.
The Bills will play their only game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Week 3 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
As it seems every year, they close out the preseason with a tilt against the Lions in Detroit.
None of the games will be shown nationally.
Also, the team announced that they’re resigned restricted free agent cornerback Ashton Youboty.
Looking to showcase your vocal talents while displaying your patriotism for thousands of fans to see?
The Buffalo Bisons announced they are holding auditions for aspiring performers who would like to sing the national anthem at a Bisons home game.
Auditions will be held for contestants this coming Friday and Saturday. Friday times are scheduled from noon to 3pm while Saturday times are 10am-1pm.
According to the club you don’t need an appointment to participate.
Just don’t be pitchy!
After missing six consecutive games with a wrist injury, Sabres forward Raffi Torres will be in the lineup tonight when the club faces off against the Florida Panthers at the HSBC Arena.
To make room the team has sent forward Mark Mancari back to their AHL affiliate Portland Pirates. Mancari played Monday in the 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins.
Torres has two assists in seven games for Buffalo since being acquired on March 3.
Head coach Lindy Ruff still hasn’t announced his goaltender for the game. With a road game in Toronto tomorrow night, Patrick Lalime is likely to get a start in one of the two games.
Senior defender Dave Cianfrini and senior forward Jason Weeks of the Canisius College hockey team will each continue their hockey careers in the ECHL. Cianfrini signed with the Victoria Salmon Kings, while Weeks was added to the Bakersfield Condors’ roster.
An assistant captain with the Griffs this season, Cianfrini played in all 37 games, setting a career high with 15 points and seven goals to go along with eight assists. The Salmon Kings are affiliated with NHL’s Vancouver Canucks and AHL’s Manitoba Moose.
Continue reading ‘Canisius Pair Sign ECHL Contracts’
There’s one sure fire way for the Buffalo Sabres to ensure the once again red-hot Ottawa Senators can’t catch them for the Northeast Division; maintain a multiple game lead. With the Sabres idle on Tuesday night, Ottawa won their fifth straight against Washington to pull within five points of Buffalo’s lead.
The Sabres can stretch that lead back to a more comfy seven if they can handle the struggling Florida Panthers tonight at the HSBC Arena.
Including tonight Buffalo has two games in hand over their rivals. A combination of six more points gained by Buffalo or lost by Ottawa will clinch the division.
Continue reading ‘Sabres look to push lead against Florida’
Buffalo Bills safety George Wilson has had quite the past 12 months. A year ago he was little more than a special teams player trying to carve his way into a prolonged NFL career. The converted wide receiver went from practice squad member to valuable depth in three seasons with the team, but only amassed career totals of 64 tackles and two interceptions.
Wilson’s stock soared last season when he took advantage of injuries in the secondary to become a starter. He finished 2009 with career-highs of 103 tackles, four interceptions and two sacks.
A restricted free agent, the Bills thought enough of him to tender him at the second-round level, which Wilson signed this week worth $1.759 million.
Continue reading ‘Buffalo Bills player to star in Mary J. Blige video’