http://www.niagara-gazette.com en-us Copyright CNHI All Rights Reserved. 5 Tue, 06 May 2008 23:57:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_127235822.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_127235822.html Tears welled in Denis Watson’s eyes. Big ones. The native of Zimbabwe said it was the first time he’d seen the montage from his 2007 Senior PGA Championship win — the culmination of a comeback that was nearly two decades in the making — and he had trouble sharing thoughts with reporters. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:52:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_119225340.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_119225340.html The trials of Gerbe — and to a degree, Kennedy — illustrate the best and worst the Sabres organization has to offer. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:50:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_101232847.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_101232847.html Thursday’s press conference with managing partner Larry Quinn, general manager Darcy Regier and coach Lindy Ruff at HSBC Arena was the kind of somber post-season event you’d expect after a fall from grace like the one the Sabres endured. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:06:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_092230640.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_092230640.html I’ve never stepped foot inside a boxing ring, but something about Buffalo’s excruciating 4-3 shootout win over the Leafs made me feel like Rocky Balboa climbing off the canvas, bloodied and beaten, just in time to beat a 10 count. We’ll say the Leafs played the part of Apollo Creed, but that’s a slam on Creed, who genuinely put up a fight. Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:30:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_090223115.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_090223115.html And what’s really disappointing about Sunday’s narrow win — one that allowed the visiting Bruins to sneak out of town with a point — was the lack of emotion from a pair of teams who should have had the building buzzing. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:01:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/local_story_079230230.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/local_story_079230230.html COMMENTARY: A team that had shown little heart and an organization that clearly has none will regain the services of a defenseman with a bad one.And that’s when the miracle happened.Thump-thump, thump-thump. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:26:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/local_story_078225632.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/local_story_078225632.html What makes a guy a good hockey player can also make him a bear off the ice. Hockey players need to be tough. Strong. Proud.Les Reaney is all of the above. Fri, 14 Mar 2008 23:01:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_074230248.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_074230248.html Ruff was ticked when a reporter asked him Thursday if his guys were tuning him out. He had every right. To put any of this mess on him is a joke. He’s been through roster torture the past few seasons, tinkering and plotting to keep the team afloat. Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:55:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_069004748.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_069004748.html The Purple Eagles have flirted with danger all season long, sidestepping it on most nights. Niagara’s high-flying brand of basketball is highlight-reel stuff, filled with Lewis’ thrilling drives, Fisher’s rainbow 3s and Joe Mihalich’s animations.But Saturday, against a team that did the simple things — rebound, hit open looks, and knock down free throws — Niagara couldn’t simply win by being the more athletic team. Sat, 08 Mar 2008 00:51:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_067230938.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_067230938.html Bob Peters likes to wax poetic. Standing on the concourse at Dwyer Arena sporting a long black coat and an inattentive gaze, Peters has earned the right to zoom past the details while maintaining a focus on the big picture. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 23:14:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_064231509.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_064231509.html Don’t think the final piece of a deep playoff run is the signing of wide receiver Bryant Johnson. Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:52:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_062235329.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_062235329.html The fact that Ruff, who has sparingly used Kaleta since his recall from Rochester, would feel the agitator was his best option late with a two-goal deficit speaks volumes about the waning confidence he has in his roster. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 22:54:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_060225258.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_060225258.html Ruff’s game day choice to insert both Maxim Afinogenov and Drew Stafford back into the lineup blew up in the coach’s face during Friday’s 6-2 loss to Montreal. Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:32:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_058224847.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/gnntimstake_story_058224847.html Ruff didn’t ease Bernier into the lineup, giving him a spot with Adam Mair and Kaleta on the energy line. He told the newbie to lace up his skates and play his game. And starting the game with the team’s top tandem — Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek — was exactly what Bernier needed to feel welcome. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:15:00 +0000 http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/local_story_057231909.html http://www.niagara-gazette.com/timschmitt/local_story_057231909.html Darcy Regier didn’t want to deal Brian Campbell, but he couldn’t let him walk for nothing.