Sabres Revive Playoff Hopes

They can start by thanking the Flyers who lost in overtime to the Bruins today. By only picking up 1 point, the Sabres have now moved within a point of the 8th and final playoff spot. The Sabres managed to pick up back to back wins, when they beat Toronto 6-2 tonight. It was a huge victory that not only has them on the doorstep of the playoffs. It's exactly what the young players on the team needed to boost their confidence. As a fan, I have a little belief left in me that they can make it. Part of that, is I don't think the Flyers can hold on for much longer. The other part of me feels like Toronto's run is over, and Florida is not good enough. I do think the Caps will give the Sabres a run for the 8th spot. As a professional, I don't think the Sabres can do their part to make the playoffs. They are too inconsistent, and I worry about the young defenseman. I know they've played well over the weekend, but the reality is... they will likely have their share of costly mistakes. There is now 9 games left, starting with Tampa at home on Wednesday night. Philly has 10 games left. They're in Pittsburgh tomorrow with a 3:00 start.

Bryant Johnson Goes West

I know a lot of Bills fans were waiting on word about free agent wideout Bryant Johnson. Friday, he signed a one year deal with the 49ers. The 6-3 Johnson visited the Bills last week, and would have loooked good lined up next to Lee Evans. But it appears that Johnson wanted too much money, especially when some other receivers were getting more than $5 million a season. Taking a one year deal allows him to put up some stats, and hit the market again next year. He joins a crowd in SF, with Isaac Bruce....Arnaz Battle..Ashley Lelie...and Darrell Jackson. Along with no real settled QB position. But it seems as though the Bills didn't want to give him a one year deal. Chris Brown of buffalobills.com has a good explanation why.
So it seems that the Bills will have to find their wide receiver in the draft. There's not much left on the market, except for D.J. Hackett...who doesn't appear to interest the Bills.

Funk called up to face Carolina

Michael Funk was called up for tonight's game against Carolina. So between Funk, Andrej Sekera, and Mike Weber, the 3 have combined for just 38 games of N.H.L experience. Weber said not to worry because they're all decent defenseman. Lindy Ruff also said he's not worried. I am worried! The Sabres have not been getting their best out of Henrik Tallinder, and Toni Lydman. Nolan Pratt has been steady, but wasn't great against the Penguins. There is a considerable drop off in play after those three. Anyone else worried about tonight's game? Did I mention the Hurricanes come in riding a 5 game win streak and say they are starting to feel like they did when they went on a run and won the cup in 2006. The Sabres are desperate and appear to be heading in different directions rather than coming together. Whether or not they have tuned out Lindy Ruff, players are starting to be a little more vocal. A few of them said today they know what needs to happen.. So why are they not doing it? Be worried! Be very worried!

Marshall Faulk is an Idiot

Just watched the NFL Network's "State of the Franchise" report about the Bills. Its just further proof that the national media pays no attention to the Bills. Its further evidence why you need to get your Bills info from Channel 4 and wivb.com. Faulk said, while reviewing the needs on offense, that the Bills need "maybe a better left tackle." Hello Marshall. Jason Peters plays there. He's a Pro Bowler, and considered by some to be the best young tackle in the league. What did it do? Look at the depth chart from the Eagles game and see Kirk Chambers? Remember, Peters was out for that game with a groin injury. Faulk later went on to say what a great job Steve Fairchild did with Trent Edwards, and mentioned that the Bills need help at safety. UGH. I just hate it when these uninformed "experts" make blatent errors because they don't watch the Bills, don't pay attention and don't bother to do their homework.

Sabres are Done

I really thought the Sabres were going to find a way into the playoffs. But after the loss the Penguins, I'm convinced they're done. First off, they're just not good enough. Second, the injuries have taken away too much talent. Third, the lack of effort in Pittsburgh was appalling. That 5:00 power play was a joke. How can a team with so much on the line win only one of its last 7 games? Sorry Sabres fans. It looks like Philly's going to let someone into the last spot...but its more likely Toronto or Washington.

Fitzgerald's Deal Could Impact Lee Evans

Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald has reached a new deal with the team. He'll get $40 million over the next four years. That deal will no doubt impact the Bills contract discussions with Lee Evans. The team's #1 wideout is set to enter the final year of his contract. Negotiations have been ongoing. Fitzgerald has been to 2 Pro Bowls, and this past season, led the NFC with 100 catches. Evans can't match those accomplishments, so maybe he asks for around $8 million. He is the Bills main receiving threat, and he has put up good numbers without the benefit of a stable QB situation.
This is a priority for the Bills front office. They need to get a deal done before Evans hits training camp, and it becomes a distraction. Obvi0usly, the team doesn't want Evans to play the season under his current deal, because that would increase the chances that he will leave as a free agent.

Sabres Limp into Pittsburgh

If you were doubting the Sabres ability to make the playoffs, this may put you over the edge. They will head into Pittsburgh tomorrow without 2, possibly 3 of their defenseman. Dmitri Kalinin is out 1 to 2 weeks with a shoulder injury. Jaroslav Spacek is out even longer with what they called an injury to his chest area. Nathan Paetsch is banged up, and has whip lash after the hit he took from Sean Avery last night. He still can't move his neck today and Lindy Ruff said he's doubtful. Paetsch said he will be in the line-up, but I can't imagine he can have an impact feeling like that. If he can't go, they will use Jason Pominville on Defense. They did call Mike Weber up from Rochester, who will play 15 to 16 minutes against the Penguins. He's thrown into a tough situation with the Sabres desperate for points. he does have some added motivation, that he will be playing in his hometown. Weber said he hasn't been back home since he was 14 years old. The good news is that Henrik Tallinder will return to the line-up as he was cleared to play. Tallinder is returning from a bruised shoulder suffered in last Tuesday's game against the Flyers. Overall the mood of the team was what you would expect. They seemed to take it all in stride, and even spoke of their Game 7 against Carolina in the Conference Finals when they were banged up on defense. If you remember, Doug Janik actually scored a goal in that game. I know, it is hard to forget Rory Fitzpatrick standing over the puck and not knowing where it was until it finally went into the goal. Oh, if he had only cleared that puck out. Anyway: The Sabres are hoping if they can get past the Penguins with the injuries on the blue line, it may be able to jump start something for them. The funniest quote of the day: when Ruff was asked how the team is taking the bad news about the defenseman... he said, "I haven't told them yet.. I was waiting to tell them until after the game tomorrow.. I was going to see if they noticed if anyone was missing".

Stewart Needs to Stifle!

When is this crybaby act going to end for Tony Stewart. I have never seen an athlete in any sport that has more excuses for why he doesn't win than Stewart. This guy doesn't know how to drive, this guy is a dangerous driver, Goodyear doesn't know how to make tires, just a few of his hundreds of excuses.

Hey Tony WAKE UP! The reason you are not dominating the sport like you think you should is simple---YOU ARE NOT THAT GOOD! Yes Stewart is a good, even very good driver, but I have yet to see Tony man up for any event that happens on the track and actually admit that he was even partially to blame.

What the sport needs is a return to its roots, I can't believe any of the NASCAR greats would have put up with Stewart's mindless rants.

Advice to Tony Stewart: stick to driving and keep your mindless opinion to yourself!

Jagr an Alltime Sabres Killer

Jaromir Jagr's 2nd period goal against the Sabres is the 41st time he's scored against Buffalo. That ties Jagr with Peter Statsny of the Quebec Nordiques for the most goals by an opponent against the Sabres.

Bills Sign Anderson

I can't say I'm all that excited about the Bills signing of TE Courtney Anderson. He's just a guy, who had a few OK seasons in Oakland then bounced around the league. At six-foot-six, he's a big target, something the team doesn't have. But I don't think this move changes the draft focus on taking a tight end high. I would expect the 2nd or 3rd round pick to be a tight end, someone like Fred Davis of USC or Dustin Keller of Purdue. Its time for the Bills to end the stop-gap approach with guys like Anderson and Robert Royal, and develop a top-flight talent of their own. Can you think of a good team that does not have a threat at TE? Last year, with Royal and Michael Gaines, Trent Edwards threw 50 passes to the position. How much more successful will he be with a real threat? If you draft a guy, you can slowly work him into the passing game and let Royal do the blocking.
Current TE on the roster: Royal, Anderson, Teyo Johnson, Tim Massaquoi, Derek Schouman.

Section VI Strikes Back!

After what seems like years of futility, Section VI Boys basketball has taken it to it's rivals in Section V (Rochester area) at the Far West Regionals. Maple Grove (Class C) , Olean (Class B), East (Class A), and Niagara Falls (Class AA) pulled off a memorable one day sweep and are headed to the State Finals in Glens Falls this weekend.

Each team has its own good story, from the Secky family legend at Maple Grove continuing with brothers Tom and Chris leading to the Red Dragons win with another brother and former Maple Grove standout Randall on the bench as an assistant coach.

Olean had a huge upset of Charlotte and will return to Glens Falls. Coach Jeff Anastasia said he wasn't sure what to expect from this years team after returning only one starter from last years' team. Center Jacob Houseknecht was a force for the Huskies and improves with each game.

East makes its first appearance at the state tournament since its name change. (Formerly Buffalo Traditional). Coach Starling Bryant has his team playing hard-nosed defense and playing with as much hustle and determination as any team in the state.

Probably the only non-surprise here is Niagara Falls, they seem to have standing reservations at their Glens Falls hotel! They came out of the box firing on all cylinders against a very good Rochester East team, but had the game under control by the end of the 1st quarter. This will be the Falls 5th trip to the state tournament in the last eight years.

Congratulations to all teams headed to Glens Falls and be sure to check out News 4 for Scores and hilites from the games!

Sabres face Rangers Tonight

The Sabres will have Nathan Patesch in the line-up for tonight's game against the Rangers. The defenseman suffered leg contusions Saturday and did not skate yesterday. Lindy Ruff said he should be fine for the game. Ruff also gave his tough guys, Adam Mair, Patrick Kaleta, Andrew Peters and Paul Gaustad the go ahead to so some passion tonight. If you can read between the lines on that one: he's saying get out there and give us a spark, make something happen. I'm sure the Rangers would be fine with that. Annoying winger, Sean Avery is up for a fight anytime.. and did you see Chris Drury get in a fight in yesterday's game against Boston. That's something we've never seen before. I got the feeling his teammates were happy to see the Sabres former Captain do it, almost like they've been waiting for it. The Sabres have yet to beat the Rangers this season, so tonight they said they will be playing with desperation, as they need 2 points. The Sabres also acknowledged that the 8th playoff spot appears to be the only one they have a shot it. Thomas Vanek said that's fine, since they've been a higher seed in recent years and did not reach their goal of the Stanley Cup so the 8th spot doesn't matter.

Where the Sabres Stand

With a shoot-out win for the Rangers, the Bruins also picked up a point. That means the Rangers head into tomorrow night's game with the Sabres 7 points ahead of them in the 6th spot. The Bruins are 6 points ahead of the Sabres in the 7th spot. Philadelphia had the day off, so the Sabres remain 4 points back from the Flyers in the 9th spot. With 13 games to go for the Sabres the playoff picture is starting to sort itself out. Unless the Rangers and Bruins completely fall apart, the Sabres only hope is starting to look like the 8th and final spot. That means they need the Flyers to drop a couple of games because it's hard to imagine this Sabres team can string together enough wins to do this on their own. It starts with the Rangers, and the rest of their schedule isn't any easier. They have Pittsburgh, Carolina, 3 games against the Leafs, Tampa, 2 against Ottawa, Montreal and Boston. Your thoughts? Anyone feel like the Sabres can really pull this out?

Canisius Men are Growing Up!

The Canisius men put on quite a showing at the MAAC tournament this weekend. First surprising Iona in their 1st round game, then battling 2nd seeded Rider (a team that they lost to by 51 points earlier in the season) down to the final minute of the game. The Griffs are growing up, and have given local hoops fans something to look forward to next season. Think about it, this is a team that had just two regular season league wins, and had just 5 wins overall heading into the tournament. The fact that they came out when it counted put on back to back performances to nearly stun two teams says alot. They were just 5 points away from the biggest upset in the history of the MAAC tournament. They also became the 1st 10th seed to even win a game there. It looks like Tom Parrotta may be turning things around for a program that has struggled for years. When they brought him in, they said his recruiting was one of his strengths. That is exactly what we are seeing now, how the kids that he recruited are fitting in. The Griffs will graduate just one senior this year, and can only go up!

MAAC Tournament Recap

Niagara Ousted By Marist

Niagara’s season came to an end Saturday night, dropping their first game in the MAAC tournament 66-62 to the Marist Red Foxes. Charron Fisher led the Purple Eagles with 23 points. The loss brings to an end the college careers of two players. Fisher finishes his stint with Niagara as one of the great Power Forwards, ending his senior year as the nations leading scorer. Guard, Stanley Hodge also exits Niagara University.

The future has some upside after their departures. Sophomore guard and this years second leading scorer (16 ppg), Tyrone Lewis returns for his Junior year. Also, the big guy in the middle, 6’10” Benson Egemonye, will help fill the middle in his senior year.

Canisius Falls 75-71 to Rider

Bob Bevilacqua?? The walk-on junior from local Canisius High School has surprisingly been the go-to outside shooter for the Golden Griffins. He made five of nine attempts outside the arc totaling his 15 points in Saturday nights loss to Rider in the second round of the MAAC Tournament. In the first round against Iona, Bevilacqua had a team leading 14 points in their upset win.

It wasn’t just a few months ago when he didn’t even have his name on the back of his jersey. A game in January would change that. He scored 10 points, including a big three to ice the game for Canisius, helping snap a nine game losing streak to Niagara. That game ended with the Junior Guard being carried off the court. Bevilacqua is a true example of how hard work will earn you rewards. He should have a major role next season for Canisius.

Your Thoughts on the Local College Hoops Scene?