You hate to see a place for racism anywhere in this world, let alone sports and especially at the high school level. Unfortunately, it’s being reported that a bunch of girls from the Kenmore East high school basketball team is guilty of long-standing occurrence in which they’ve been chanting a racial slur–and now they’re going to pay for it.
Sandra Tan of the Buffalo News reports that at least a dozen girls form the team have been suspended for games and also out-of-school suspensions as a result of a ritual that has them chant the N-word. Tan writes the ritual has been going on for at least two years.
The News report claims teammates would hold hands before games and chant “One, two, three (N-Word)!”
Buffalo Sabres forward Ville Leino faces disciplinary action after last night’s incident against the Philadelphia Flyer. Leino is slated to talk to the NHL board this afternoon. Here’s why:
It was definitely the holiday season at the First Niagara Center Wednesday night as the Buffalo Sabres were flat-out in a giving mood. Horrible giveaways by Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Ennis and Marc-Andre Gragnani directly led to three Philadelphia Flyers goals as the Sabres blew a three goal lead and eventually lost to Philly in overtime, 5-4 in front of a stunned crowd.
Buffalo played arguably its best period of the entire season in the first, getting goals from Ville Leino, Zack Kassian and Thomas Vanek to build a 3-0 lead early before the turnover-fest began with a Gerbe turnover leading to the Flyers first goal with less than a second remaining in the opening period.
Philadelphia would then storm back with three more unanswered goals, the first courtesy of a Ennis turnover and held a 4-3 lead before Drew Stafford things with just 1:35 play. In overtime, Gragnani attempted a cross ice pass for Christian Ehrhoff in the Philadelphia zone that was picked off by Claude Giroux, who then skated in all alone and beat Ryan Miller between the pads to send fans home unhappy.
No. 24/22 Illinois (9-0) overcame a nine-point deficit with 5:22 left to claim a 48-43 victory over St. Bonaventure (3-4) in front of 14,711 fans at Assembly Hall on Wednesday.
The Bonnies held Illinois to just 31.9 percent from the floor and without a field goal for over six minutes of the second half to help turn a 31-29 lead into a 39-30 cushion with 5:22 left. Illinois junior Brandon Paul led the Illini with 17 points and tallied three field goals – two while being fouled – five free throws, an assist and a steal over the final four minutes as Illinois came from behind.
Andrew Nicholson also had 17 and added a game-high eight boards for the Bonnies. Demitrius Conger and Matthew Wright had six apiece.
Paul’s traditional three-point play tied it at 41 with 2:38 left to cap UI’ s 12-2 run before Nicholson answered on the other end. Illini sophomore Meyers Leonard, the reigning Big Ten Co-Player of the Week, chipped in nine points and eight rebounds, with several of those allowing for extended possessions down the stretch.
A game after scoring a season-low six points, Buffalo’s bench responded with a season-best 39 points to help the Bulls defeat Niagara, 82-74, at the Gallagher Center on Wednesday night. Titus Robinson and Tony Watson led the effort of the reserves with 12 points apiece.
Buffalo won its second straight road game and improved to 5-2 on the season. The Bulls matched a season high with 10 three-pointers. Zach Filzen, who shared game-high honors with 16 points, made four three-pointers. Watson and Dave Barnett each had three treys. A sore ankle kept Barnett out of the starting lineup for the first time in 41 straight games. But the senior guard responded with nine points off the bench and hit the biggest shot of the night – a deep three-pointer with 56 seconds left to extend the UB lead to six.
Auraum Nuiriankh made his first career start in Barnett’s place and finished with five points and six rebounds in 16 minutes.
Starting at just $25, individual home game tickets are now on sale for the Buffalo Bandits 2012 National Lacrosse League season, which includes the 2012 NLL All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 25 at First Niagara Center.
To purchase tickets, you can visit the First Niagara Center box office, call 1-888-467-2273, or visit www.bandits.com for more information.
Buffalo’s open practice will take place on Saturday, Dec. 17 from 10 a.m. until noon, with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. Afterwards, an hour-long autograph session featuring all practice participants will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the 100 level concourse.
Niagara volleyball junior outside hitter Kari Honomichl was honored by the The Scholar Baller® program, in conjunction with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) by being one of 49 student-athletes to receive the Academic Momentum Award.
This is the first of such honors for Honomichl, who also earned her first All-MAAC First Team and MAAC All-Academic honors this season. Honomichl was named to the second team.
Buffalo State moved up two more spots in this week’s D3hoops.com national Division III men’s basketball poll, ranking 14th after three more victories improved its record to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in SUNYAC play.
All three of the Bengals wins last week came on the road, defeating Houghton, Oneonta and New Paltz.
Jake Simmons,the SUNYAC and ECAC Upstate Player of the Week, leads the Bengals, averaging 24.0 points-per-game, and is also tied for the team lead with 16 steals. Fellow junior Justin Mitchellis averaging 13.8 points-per-game and 6.4 rebounds, and senior Ahmed Nagayais averaging 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds.
The Buffalo Sabres take to what’s been an unfriendly First Niagara Center home ice tonight to square off with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Sabres have not played well on their home ice this season; going just 5-8-1 there this season to tie them for the league’s fewest amount of home ice points.
Ryan Miller gets the start for the second straight game for Buffalo. He played superb in his return after the neck injury this past Saturday in Nashville as the Sabres won, 3-2. Miller hopes to have more success at home than he did the last time these teams met. Miller was pulled after three early Philadelphia goals on November 2 as the Flyers defeated Buffalo, 3-2. Miller overall has not played well at home—winning just two of six starts and sporting an ugly 3.90 goals against average.
Buffalo State’s Aaron Roywas recognized by D3football.com as All-East Region second team after anchoring the Bengals’ offensive line this season.
Roy, a senior political science major, started every game at right guard, clearing the way for an offense that rushed for a league-best 208.9 rushing yards-per-game. The Bengals also finished second in total offense (432.2 ypg) and in scoring, averaging 36.3 points-per-game. The Bengals’ offense set single-season school records for points scored (366), touchdowns scored (49), rushing touchdowns (29) and first downs (210). Roy was honorable mention in 2010.
Buffalo State won three of its final four games to finish the season 5-5 overall. The Bengals reached the .500 mark for the first time since the 2000 season.
The Buffalo Bills return to practice this afternoon in preparation for Sunday’s game in San Diego against the Chargers. The Bills are reeling, having lost five games in a row to fall out of the AFC playoff race while the Chargers are still in despite their 5-7 record because they play in a weak AFC West division.
San Diego has been struggling in a big way, losing six straight games before finally getting things together in a win at Jacksonville Monday night.
Bills safety George Wilson hasn’t been ruled out but is likely to miss his fourth straight game with a neck injury. Cornerback Aaron Williams hurt his knee against Tennessee last Sunday and while tests revealed the injury isn’t as serious as once thought, he’ll probably miss the game as well. Tight end Scott Chandler is “iffy’ as of now with a bad ankle.
We’ll have practice updates throughout the afternoon and quotes from head coach Chan Gailey and some of the players.
Chuck Pollack of the Olean Times writes that the problem with the Buffalo Bills starts on the defense. While that statement is highly obvious, it’s an excellent read.
Wellsville Daily reporter Paul Jannace wonders where the progress has went with the once-promising Bills.
Chris Hairston will continue to start at left tackle for the Bills, but expect Demetrius Bell to get playing time in a rotation, Chris Brown of Bills.com reports.
Terry Pegula didn’t spend any money on the Buffalo Sabres yesterday (not that we know of anyway), but he did manage to buy a NFL player agent firm, John Warwow from the Associated Press reports.
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that defenseman Joe Finley has been recalled from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.
Finley (6’8”, 260 lbs., 6/29/87) joins the Sabres on his second career recall after making his NHL debut in the team’s game on Friday, Dec. 2 vs. Detroit. He has appeared in two games for the Sabres this year.
The defenseman has two points (1+1) in 18 games played with the Americans and leads the team with 57 penalty minutes. He is playing in his third professional season after spending parts of the 2008-09 and 2010-11 seasons with the Hershey Bears. In 26 career AHL games, Finley has three points (1+2) and 79 penalty minutes, posting a plus/minus rating of plus-16.
The Edina, Minn. native, who was originally selected by the Washington Capitals in the first round (27th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, signed a multi-year contract with the Sabres on Nov. 28.
Niagara men’s basketball guard Juan’ya Green was named MAAC Rookie of the Week on Monday.
Green averaged 30 points per game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 4.0 assists per game and 1.0 steals per game this past weekend against Iona and Fairfield, who were picked one and two, respectively, in the MAAC Preseason Poll. Green broke a 33-year old school record in his first conference game on Friday against Fairfield.
Green scored 35 points on 12-for-22 shooting from the field and was 6-for-6 at the free-throw line to set a Niagara freshman scoring record. Green’s 35 points surpassed Garry Jordan’s 30 points versus Saint Peter’s on Jan. 4, 1978. Green also set a career-best in rebounds (six) and in 3-pointers (five). His five 3-pointers were one shy of tying the NU freshman record set by Tyrone Lewis on Dec. 6, 2006. Green’s 35 points are tied for fifth most in MAAC history amongst freshmen.
The Buffalo Sabres announced that the team will again be hosting a Winter Clothing Drive at four home games during the month of December.
Fans attending the games at First Niagara Center on Dec. 9 (Florida), Dec. 10 (NY Rangers), Dec. 13 (Ottawa) and Dec. 16 (Toronto) are encouraged to bring new or gently used winter clothing, including hats, gloves, coats, boots, scarves and sweaters. All donated items will be given to the Buffalo City Mission, who will be on hand at the games accepting the donated items and cash donations.
For more information, or to donate online, please visit www.buffalocitymission.org.
John Vogl of the Buffalo News breaks down the new NHL realignment and playoff formats and how it affects the Buffalo Sabres. Here’s a hint: A couple of Florida teams will be in the new “conference” shared by Buffalo.
Nathan Gerbe is all stiched up and ready for Wednesday, Bill Hoppe of the Niagara Gazette writes.
The Tonawanda News reports that for the Sabres, it’s a message of giving.
Amazingly, the Buffalo Bills’ playoff picture does still exist, though to say it’s on life support is an understatement. (Buffalo Rumblings)
I hate giving out game balls following a Buffalo Bills loss. Sadly, it’s becoming a habit as the Bills lost their fifth straight Sunday to Tennessee, 23-17. What looked like a promising season on Halloween has completely gone by the wayside and Bills fans will now spend the last month more focused on draft than playoff position.
Still, even in defeat there’s always a few bright spots and keeping with our weekly presentation of game balls, it’s time to reward a few. This week’s imaginary souvenirs go out to running back C.J. Spiller, linebacker Nick Barnett and wide receiver Brad Smith.
The former Buffalo Sabre and current ESPN hockey analyst is in trouble with the law for the second time this year. The Associated Press reports Barnaby was arrested and charged with Driving While Intoxicated early Monday morning on Dana Marie Road in his hometown of Clarence. According to the report, Barnaby was driving without a tire, failed multiple field sobriety tests and refused to take a breath test.
This isn’t his first run-in with the law in 2011. This past May Barnaby pleaded guilty to criminal charges stemming from an innocent involved his estranged wife and another person. Barnaby was sentenced to 500 hours of community service and according to a WGR report, this latest DWI could bring his previous arrest back into the equation.
No word yet on what disciplinary, if any action will be taken by ESPN. One thing is for certain—this guy better get it together real soon.
Whatever faint playoff hopes the Buffalo Bills held Sunday morning are now over. Fans can stick a fork in any Buffalo postseason dreams for the 12th straight year after the Bills lost at home to the Tennessee Titans, 23-17 in front of a less than sellout crowd at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Once 4-1, Buffalo lost for the fifth straight game and sixth time in seven games. The Bills haven’t walked off the field winners since beating up Washington on October 30. Seemingly an annual ritual, it’s time to spend the last month of the regular season keying on Buffalo’s draft position and focusing on college prospects who may help them get over the hump next year.
Ryan Miller returned to net for the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday evening and Lindy Ruff probably couldn’t have written a better script. Miller made a few spectacular saves in net and this time took matters into his own hands after he was run at yet again, as the Sabres defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 on the road.
Nashville tough guy Jordin Tootoo went crashing through Miller in his crease and unlike the infamous incident in Boston where Milan Lucic ran Miller over and the team didn’t respond. This time, Miller started throwing punches at Tootoo before the two landed on the ground, and a slew of Sabres were quickly in the pile, including Paul Gaustad, who connected on multiple punches on Tatoo while he was on the ice. (We’ll have much more on this Monday morning)
Luke Adam and Zack Kassian scored Buffalo’s two goal as the team opened a 2-1 lead. Nashville cut the score in half but Tyler Ennis put the game away with his first goal of the season in the third period. Nashville scored with the extra attacker late but the Sabres prevented a tie in the final moments.
Buffalo is off until they play Philadelphia Wednesday.
Chad Kelly added one more keepsake to his ever-growing trophy case, winning the Connolly Cup, awarded to Western New York’s outstanding football player in a ceremony Saturday afternoon at Ilio DiPaolos restaurant in Blasdell.
Kelly, who earlier in the day was also named the Buffalo News Player of the Year, beat out nine other finalists to win the award, which celebrated its 40th anniversary.
“My teammates made the plays,” Kelly said. “I just did what the coaches asked me to do and every day I came to work ready to do what I had to do and that’s what happens. Winning this… it’s a great honor and I’m happy to be part of it.”
One of the most prolific offensive threats in Western New York high school football history, Kelly had a record-setting season; throwing for 3,050 yards to break Joe Licata’s (Williamsville South) 2010 single-season record and the second-most in state history. He threw 27 touchdowns and also ran for over 1,000 yards—becoming the first player in state history to throw for over 3,000 yards and surpass 1,000 yards in the same season.
Andrew Sturtz wasted no time stating his case – on the ice – as one of Western New York’s most well-rounded high-school hockey players. The senior forward scored three goals and had an assist, leading the Kenmore East Bulldogs (1-0) to a 5-3 victory Thursday evening over the Williamsville East Flames (0-1) in the Northtowns Center at Amherst.
The Bulldogs’ final goal, a backhand shot by Sturtz with less than a minute remaining in the third period, ensured a late-surge from the Flames was not to be.
“He’s definitely going to be one of the top players in this league,” Bulldogs coach Kyle Pray said of Sturtz. “He’s got great hands, great anticipation to the net. He’s stronger; I think he’s in better shape this year than he’s been in the past. With all that combined, I think he’s going to be a force.
The Buffalo Sabres take on the Detroit Red Wings tonight at the First Niagara Center, and a trio of familiar faces will be on the ice as the Sabres try to put an end to the Red Wings six-game winning streak.
Ryan Miller passed his baseline test and returns to the team. He won’t be starting in net however, as Jhonas Enroth still gets the call. Tyler Ennis and Patrick Kaleta will also return. No word as of late this morning as to who will be sitting to make room.
Miller could get the start tomorrow night in Nashville.
Buffalo has struggled at home this year, going just 6-7-1.
The last time Canisius High School took to the hardwood, it was for the Manhattan Cup against St. Joe’s, where they trailed big at the half before storming back to win the Monsignor Martin Association championship.
There’d be no need for such dramatics in their season opener at the Pastor-Cooper Memorial High School showcase. Pitted against a gritty but overmatched OTC Middle, the Crusaders dominated literally from the opening tip, outscoring the Kats 23-1 in the first quarter (that’s seriously not a misprint) and eased their way to a 61-38 victory at Daemen College Thursday evening.
The Kats didn’t connect on their first field goal until the first minute of the second quarter when Brian Brown converted a layup.
As expected, Sunday’s game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park will be blacked out locally because the Buffalo Bills failed to sell out their game against Tennessee before the 1pm deadline this afternoon. In fact, the club didn’t come close to selling out. As of early this morning, there were still more than 11,000 seats available.
This is the first black out of the season for Buffalo after three last year. Unfortunately there is likely to be two more as the games against Miami and Denver have a lot of unsold tickets remaining.
In on-field news, safety George Wilson didn’t practice with the team again this afternoon, making his availability for Sunday’s game highly doubtful. Wilson is suffering from a neck stinger and has missed the past two and a half games. Naaman Roosevelt was able to practice for a second straight day and Leodis McKelvin (ribs) was able to practice after missing Wednesday.
We’ll have more details later this evening after Chan Gailey speaks to the media.
You hate to see a place for racism anywhere in this world, let alone sports and especially at the high school level. Unfortunately, it’s being reported that a bunch of girls from the Kenmore East high school basketball team is guilty of long-standing occurrence in which they’ve been chanting a racial slur–and now they’re going to pay for it.
It was definitely the holiday season at the First Niagara Center Wednesday night as the Buffalo Sabres were flat-out in a giving mood. Horrible giveaways by Nathan Gerbe, Tyler Ennis and Marc-Andre Gragnani directly led to three Philadelphia Flyers goals as the Sabres blew a three goal lead and eventually lost to Philly in overtime, 5-4 in front of a stunned crowd.
No. 24/22 Illinois (9-0) overcame a nine-point deficit with 5:22 left to claim a 48-43 victory over St. Bonaventure (3-4) in front of 14,711 fans at Assembly Hall on Wednesday.
A game after scoring a season-low six points, Buffalo’s bench responded with a season-best 39 points to help the Bulls defeat Niagara, 82-74, at the Gallagher Center on Wednesday night. Titus Robinson and Tony Watson led the effort of the reserves with 12 points apiece.
Starting at just $25, individual home game tickets are now on sale for the Buffalo Bandits 2012 National Lacrosse League season, which includes the 2012 NLL All-Star Game on Saturday, Feb. 25 at First Niagara Center.
Niagara volleyball junior outside hitter Kari Honomichl was honored by the The Scholar Baller® program, in conjunction with the National Consortium for Academics and Sports (NCAS) by being one of 49 student-athletes to receive the Academic Momentum Award.
Buffalo State moved up two more spots in this week’s 
The Buffalo Sabres take to what’s been an unfriendly First Niagara Center home ice tonight to square off with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Sabres have not played well on their home ice this season; going just 5-8-1 there this season to tie them for the league’s fewest amount of home ice points.
Buffalo State’s Aaron Roy was recognized by 
The Buffalo Bills return to practice this afternoon in preparation for Sunday’s game in San Diego against the Chargers. The Bills are reeling, having lost five games in a row to fall out of the AFC playoff race while the Chargers are still in despite their 5-7 record because they play in a weak AFC West division.
Chuck Pollack of the Olean Times writes that the problem with the Buffalo Bills 
Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today that defenseman Joe Finley has been recalled from the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League.
Niagara men’s basketball guard Juan’ya Green was named MAAC Rookie of the Week on Monday.
The Buffalo Sabres announced that the team will again be hosting a Winter Clothing Drive at four home games during the month of December.
John Vogl of the Buffalo News breaks down the new NHL 
Ugh.
Matt Barnaby is a mess.
Just wait until next year…..again
Ryan Miller returned to net for the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday evening and Lindy Ruff probably couldn’t have written a better script. Miller made a few spectacular saves in net and this time took matters into his own hands after he was run at yet again, as the Sabres defeated the Nashville Predators 3-2 on the road.
Chad Kelly added one more keepsake to his ever-growing trophy case, winning the Connolly Cup, awarded to Western New York’s outstanding football player in a ceremony Saturday afternoon at Ilio DiPaolos restaurant in Blasdell.
Andrew Sturtz wasted no time stating his case – on the ice – as one of Western New York’s most well-rounded high-school hockey players. The senior forward scored three goals and had an assist, leading the Kenmore East Bulldogs (1-0) to a 5-3 victory Thursday evening over the Williamsville East Flames (0-1) in the Northtowns Center at Amherst.
The Buffalo Sabres take on the Detroit Red Wings tonight at the First Niagara Center, and a trio of familiar faces will be on the ice as the Sabres try to put an end to the Red Wings six-game winning streak.
The last time Canisius High School took to the hardwood, it was for the Manhattan Cup against St. Joe’s, where they trailed big at the half before storming back to win the Monsignor Martin Association championship.
As expected, Sunday’s game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park will be blacked out locally because the Buffalo Bills failed to sell out their game against Tennessee before the 1pm deadline this afternoon. In fact, the club didn’t come close to selling out. As of early this morning, there were still more than 11,000 seats available.
