Barnaby Sentenced To Community Service

((HT: WIVB-TV Buffalo))

Matthew Barnaby was ordered to complete 500 hours of community service in order to have the charges dropped stemming from an argument he had with his estranged wife a few months ago.

He was accused of causing damage by kicking a garage door as he tried to enter the Buffalo-area home where his wife and two children live. Barnaby had pleaded not guilty to criminal mischief and aggravated harassment charges.

As part of her ruling, Buffalo State Supreme Court Justice Deborah Haendiges issued a one-year order of protection on the wife's behalf. Barnaby was also ordered to continue attending anger management counseling and/or classes.

As part of the plea agreement, the charges will be dropped if he completes the community service and counseling within a year's time.

Barnaby could have faced deportation had he been convicted.

Here's Channel 4's coverage...it's pretty quick...

Barnaby sentenced in domestic incident: wivb.com

Barnaby Busted In Buffalo ((UPDATED))

((HT: WIVB-TV Buffalo))

This doesn't look good for the future of one of the better pests in the NHL for his burgeoning media career...

Matthew Barnaby was arrested Friday night and charged with second degree criminal contempt, harassment, second degree criminal trespass, and second degree criminal mischief. Police say after leaving the location, he made angry phone calls, and Barnaby has also been charged with aggravated harassment via a cell phone.

That's a lot of print... and the second degree charges mean that the act wasn't premeditated...

Amherst ((NY)) Police responded to a location during the dinner hour and found "serious damage to property." The location is being kept private to protect two female victims, who police say were not injured.

Barnaby is set to be arraigned Saturday morning in Amherst Town Court.

Here's the early returns from Buffalo...

Former Sabre arrested for domestic violence: wivb.com

PM UPDATED: Gene Warner in the Buffalo News says Barnaby pleaded not guilty to all five charges...

"Mr. Barnaby, it goes without question that you [must] completely stay away from anyone involved in this matter," Amherst Town Justice Mark Farrell told him in court. Farrell also issued "no-contact" orders against Barnaby's estranged wife and the other adult present when the incident occurred Friday night. That other adult is believed to be a friend of the alleged victim in the case and not another family member.

He was released on his own recognizance. Law enforcement types in Amherst admit that there were no injuries from what went down...

More when we know more...

Tuesday NHL Recap: Game Sevens Ahoy...

((HT: CBC/NHL/Versus))

Here's the game where the fix was in to get another Game 7 tomorrow...
At least, that's the prevailing opinion up in the northeast...


One issue to the floor will be whether or not Milan Lucic will be allowed to play in Game 7 after this shot on Jaroslav Spacek...
((HT: hockeyfightsdotcom))


The HQ thinks not...

The other early final was with Philadephia taking out Buffalo, who simply did NOT have it in a 5-2 loss at the FU Center...


Kate Smith is now 89-25-4 in her appearances where she and Lauren Hart sing "God Bless America..."

Vancouver-Chicago highlights available after the game is done...

Friday NHL Recap: More Overtime Good For Smashville And Buffalo

((HT: NHL/Versus/nhl.com))

In the Flyers-Sabres game, the visitors broke out to a surprising 3-0 lead, but it didn't hold up. They went to free hockey before Tyler Ennis gave the Sabres the win...


And, then, out west... Nashville was trying to win their first Game 5- ever...
It took a while, but Jarrod Smithson gave it to them...
The Predators can clinch their first-ever playoff series win by taking one of the next two...
((HT: NHL/Prime Ticket/nhl.com))

Rick Martin's Memorial Service Held In Buffalo

((HT: WIVB-TV Buffalo))

Rick Martin, part of the Buffalo Sabres "French Connection" line, was memorialized at The Crossroads today in Buffalo.

There were your standard amount of sadness as well as remembering Martin as a father and friend...

Here's the voice of the Sabres, Rick Jeanneret...

WATCH: Loved ones remember #7: wivb.com

And here's coverage from our friends at WGRZ-TV...
Sports Director Ed Kilgore was the ceremony emcee

BREAKING: Sabres' Rick Martin Dies In Car Crash

((HT: AM550 WGR Buffalo))

Former Sabre Rick Martin has died in a car accident in the Buffalo, New York suburb of Clarence. The two car crash happened shortly after noon Sunday. A law enforcement official told the Buffalo News, speaking on the condition of anonymity, that Martin appears to have had a heart attack behind the wheel.

Martin, along with Rene Robert and Gilbert Perrault, was part of the famed "RPM Line/French Connection" that led the Sabres to the Stanley Cup Finals against the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1970's.

Here's coverage from our friends at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo...


Here's the tribute that ran before the Sabres-Sens game today at The Crossroads
((HT: NHL))


And FOSG Paul Peck looks back on Martin's career...
((HT: WIVB-TV))

Remembering the career of Rick Martin: wivb.com

Here's a look at the French Connection...
Look out...
((HT: totalityproductions))


More when we know more...

Pegula Takes Over Sabres Officially

((HT: WGRZ-TV))

New Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula says Lindy Ruff will stay on as coach and promises general manager Darcy Regier a blank check for a winning team.

Pegula would also like to retain Ruff as head coach since he turned down an initial idea of a contract extension.

Pegula's now says the Sabres' "reason for being, from now on, will be to win a Stanley Cup."

Pegula introduced Ken Sawyer as the team's senior adviser and Ted Black as president. Sawyer's a former CFO for the NHL and also a former president and chief executive of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pegula says he'll also hire more scouts and player development coaches.

Here's Part 1 of the Pegula presser...

Pegula Set To Take Over Sabres

The NHL is expected to approve Terry Pegula's purchase of the Buffalo Sabres franchise in the next couple of days, according to those close to the situation...

They're anonymous at present, but the "they" are pretty confident about it.

The NHL still has not announced a timetable on the sale process since Pegula reached a deal, pending league approval, to purchase the team for C$189 million from Tom Golisano earlier this month.

Part of Pegula's commitment is to keeping the franchise in Buffalo, and that was what Golisano was looking for in an owner.

Here's a talk Pegula had with WIVB'TV's John Murphy a few weeks ago...

Pegula: We're gonna win the Stanley Cup: wivb.com

DEVELOPING: Pegula Signs On The Dotted, Team Stays In Buffalo

((HT: WGRZ-TV Buffalo))

Sabres owner Tom Golisano said in an afternoon press conference that he preferred to sell the team to Terry Pegula rather than move the team from Buffalo.

The $189 million sale is expected to close within 30 days, pending NHL and governmental approval.

Golisano says he got an offer for $70 million more from someone he wouldn't identify, but that would have meant moving the team. He bought the team out of bankruptcy back in 2003.

Minority owner Larry Quinn will step down as managing partner.

Here's the first part of the announcement...


Pegula released a statement to the fans of the Sabres and to western New York...

"As diehard fans of the Buffalo Sabres, the Pegula family would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Tom Golisano and Larry Quinn on their commitment to the hockey fans of Western New York and their dedicated stewardship of the franchise. Without their generosity and perseverance through tough economic times and league labor issues, there would not be a team for the Buffalo hockey community to support. We will be forever grateful for their efforts in developing one of the best markets in the National Hockey League, and providing the foundation for future successes. My wife Kim and I are hopeful that the league's approval process of our intent to purchase the franchise will move swiftly and we can begin the next era of Buffalo Sabres hockey in the very near future."

BREAKING: Sabres Sale Complete, Ruff Declined Extension Offer...

((HT: WGR-AM550/Sportsnet Radio Fan 590 Toronto))

The Buffalo Sabres have announced that Tom Golisano has reached an agreement to sell the team and everything related to it to Terry Pegula.

Majority owners Tom Golisano and Larry Quinn will hold a press conference on Thursday at Noon in the HSBC Arena in Buffalo...

As a sidenote, unrelated or otherwise...

Lindy Ruff told the media this afternoon that like, Darcy Regier, he too was offered a contract extension but declined it.

Ruff did say he wants to stay in Buffalo.

The HQ guesses he's trying to gauge interest of Pegula when he takes over as the big boss before he commits to anything long-term...

More when we know more... but until then here's Adam Benigni's conversation with ESPN's Pierre LeBrun about the situation...
((HT: WGRZ-TV Buffalo))

Sabres Sale Complete, Pegula Announcement Soon

((HT: WGRZ-TV Buffalo))

Looks like the long-anticipated sale of the Buffalo Sabres to Terry Pegula is this/close to being announced as a done deal.

Pierre LeBrun tweeted that the sale price is in the neighborhood of US$189-million and that the announcement could be by the end of next week.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed that Pegula met with the NHL's Executive Committee Saturday when Bettman addressed the sale at his state-of-the-state news conference at All-Star Weekend in Raleigh, North Carolina.

"Terry Pegula who has obviously expressed interest in buying that franchise was interviewed today by the executive committee but this process and this transaction are not yet near being done. No votes were taken this was just a preliminary step."

Adam Benigni catches up with LeBrun...

DEVELOPING: Pacioretty Leaves Habs Game In Ambulance

((HT: Youtube/Fel0096/NHL/TSN))

Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty was wheeled into an ambulance during the first intermission of the team's game against the Buffalo Sabres tonight.

Here's the injury...


Pacioretty was conscious and hooked to an IV as he left HSBC Arena at the Crossroads in Buffalo. The Canadiens didn't have an immediate update on the injury...

More when we know more...

Sabres Sale Update: Think Next Week

((HT: WGR-AM 550 Buffalo))

Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News is reporting in his columnthat his NHL sources confirm that Terry Pegula has signed a letter of intent to purchase the Buffalo Sabres.

The news came out last month, but that idea was denied and otherwise poo-pooed by minority owner Larry Quinn. Gleason's sources allow that there has been a letter signed with a price tag of $175 million.

Gleason speculates the sale could be finalized in as soon as six weeks.

BUT... and we put that conjunction with caps on purpose...

WGRZ-TV's Scott Brown reports that the sale is expected to be announced some time after the World Juniors come to a close next week. Brown reports the timing of the sale is being determined by current majority owner Tom Golisano.

Golisano just doesn't want the fireworks and prestige of the tournament placed on a back burner by his news...

Here's Scott's update, thanks to our friends at WGRZ-TV in Buffalo...

DEVELOPING: Pegula To Buy Sabres...???

((HT: WIVB-TV Buffalo))

Right now, depending on who you believe, the Buffalo Sabres may be headed from the hands of Tom Golisano to Terrence Pegula. The Hockey News is reporting it, but the Sabres are not...

Here's Channel 4's early report...


Terrence Pegula founded East Resources, an independent oil and gas producer based in Pennsylvania. The company was sold last summer for nearly $5 billion.

Pegula was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and recently donated $88 million to Penn State to help fund a new hockey program and arena.

Tom Golisano pulled the franchise out of bankruptcy for $92 million in 2003.

WGRZ-TV caught up with Sabres players to catch their vibe on the whole thing...


More when we know more...

NHL Round One: The Day After

Two extremes to cover here...

Here's Lindy Ruff being renewed for one more season in Buffalo...
((HT: WGRZ-TV))


The Buffalo Sabres have picked up the one-year option on head coach Lindy Ruff's contract, which means he will be back for a 13th season.

Sabres minority owner Larry Quinn announced the move Thursday, three days after Buffalo was eliminated by Boston in Game 6 of their first-round eastern conference series.

With a 483-389-122 record, Ruff is the Sabres' winningest coach. He's 17th on the NHL's career list after moving ahead of former mentor, the late Roger Neilson.

Ruff was asked directly what kept him coming back.

"I want to win a Stanley Cup in Buffalo... simple as that."

Good luck in the east there, Lindy...

And here's the hell that the Washington Caps caught hell from everyone
Joe Beninati and Craig Laughlin start...
((HT: CSNWashington))


Then, it's Caps owner Ted Leonsis addressing the situation...
((HT: CSNWashington))


Let's hope his players listen... Leonsis is right on a lot of levels...
1-for-33 on the power play will force you to listen to yourself...

Thomas Vanek Injured In BOS-BUF Game 2

((HT: CBC/NHL/Fel0096))

The Sabres lost more than Game 2 of their series with the Bruins this afternoon, 5-3 at The Crossroads.

In the first period, Thomas Vanek was chopped at from behind and fell into the boards. He favored, preetty much, everything as he barely made it to the bench.

Here's the whack...


Lindy Ruff was clearly not happy with what he referred to as a "two-hander" by Boston defenseman Johnny Boychuk.

Ruff did say to Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News, "I would anticipate him going to Boston." That translates into virtually nothing...

It's a "lower-body injury," and look for Nathan Gerbe to be recalled post-haste...

10 Years Later: It's Still No Goal

((HT: WIVB-TV/Paul Peck))

Ten years ago, most of us were watching the same thing on television, game six of the 1999 Stanley Cup finals.

Now some members of the Buffalo Sabres are talking about the triple overtime thriller that ended with "no goal."

June 19, 1999 turned into June 20th when game six of the Stanley Cup finals went to a third overtime.

At 1:30 a.m., Brett Hull grabbed his own rebound, and with his left foot in the crease, beat Dominik Hasek for the series clinching goal.

As the Dallas Stars celebrated, the Sabres realized that the goal should not have counted.

For the players on that Buffalo team, time does not heal all wounds.

News 4's Paul Peck asked Rob Ray if the emotions and anger still come back to him.

Sabres forward 1989-2003 Rob Ray said, "Yeah it is, and I don't think you ever lose it. You realize how difficult it is to get there, and how difficult it is to win."

Sabres captain 1997-2000 Michael Peca said, "You reflect back there after it's mentioned, and it makes you think of a whole bunch of things sometimes you thought were in the past but are just as much in the forefront of your mind as they've always been."

The National Hockey League said the rule had been changed, to allow players to be in the crease as long as they maintained possession. None of the Sabres knew anything about that.

Peca said, "That goal, there was never any video review. I remember watching Bill McCreary the referee at the window of the penalty box, and eventually he just put his hands up and skated off the ice. He figured there was no way we were going to get a review or a call on that goal."

Not winning a Stanley Cup still bothers Rob Ray. Having one taken away from Buffalo's fans bothers him even more.

Ray said, "You just always dreamt of being part of a team that can put a town over the top. That's when you look back and people would never forget you, never be forgotten that way. You feel bad sometimes because you added to their disappointment."

Shortly after the finals ended, the NHL eliminated the crease rule. No team since then as ever had to deal with another "no goal."



Here was the explanation at the time from "Hockey Night in Canada..."
((HT: CBC/NHL))

The Beginning of the End of The Aud

((HT: WIVB-TV/McClintick-Lenahan))

A bitter sweet day in Buffalo, as the final pieces of Memorial Auditorium came crashing down.
The die hards were there early, and they waited for the last roof truss of the old Memorial Auditorium to come down.

"Bring the family down and the dog and we're gonna watch it," said Joe Coleman.

His kids were born after the Aud closed, but for Joe Coleman, he has plenty of memories of this old building.

Coleman said, "My first concert in 1978 seeing STYX, I saw the Dead in here, Triumph, the bands unbelievable, hockey games, Buffalo Braves games, the circuses, everything, lot of memories in that building, if those walls could talk."

The McGraths missed the first roof trusses coming down, and wanted to come down and marvel at the engineering of the building, which was finished being built in 1940.

"You see how that was built it was like a fortress, and they really could have re-functioned it somehow I think," said Ann Marie McGrath.

But, she understands it's all in the name of progress.

And like the other parts of the roof, the last truss came crumbling down, as close to one hundred on-lookers stood on the sidewalks, taking pictures and reliving the old glory days.

Mike Morin knows it'll be years before his kids appreciate being here.
"Probably something they'll remember forever, it's pretty neat," said Mike Morin.

And what did they think today?
"It was really cool," said Patrick Morin.

Ashley had a different opinion, she called it "Pretty scary!"

The final south wall of the old Aud will be coming down sometime next week, you'll be able to watch it live here on WIVB.com.

Here's the story from Saturday, thanks to our friends at Channel 4...

And all this does is give us an excuse to show the last game ever played at the Aud:

April 14, 1996 with the Sabres and the Hartford Whalers- Rick Jeannerette has the call...

As he should...

((HT: Empire Sports Network/NHL))

May Day!

The only true "May Day" celebration necessary
Thanks to Rick Jeanneret for one of the best calls...
Ever...

Sabres React To Downed Airliner

A few of the Buffalo Sabres players live in the Clarence Center area where Continental 3407 went down last night. Head Coach Lindy Ruff, Jaro Spacek, Teppo Numminen, Craig Rivet, and Patrick Lalime all live in the town.

The crash was, obviously, on their minds before the San Jose game Friday.
((HT: The Hockey Show/NHL))