Tough sports weekend in Buffalo, but Rochester pulls out a win

Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com


While sports radio in Buffalo this morning is filled with who was to blame for the Bills' loss to the previously 1-5 Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, it should be noted the Peace Bridge has effectively been cleared of the few Sabres fans who are ready to jump off at the team's 2-6 start. And if you want a sliver of hope in an otherwise dire weekend, the Rochester Americans did manage to pull out a victory yesterday for Pegula Sports and Entertainments only win of the weekend.

The untamed braggadocio that emanated from One Bills Drive has effectively been shuttered after the loss yesterday while the unfettered enthusiasm emanating from the foot of Washington St. has been tempered considerably after the Sabres dropped back-to-backs at home by a combined 11-4 score. Seven of those goals against were scored by a Stanley Cup contending Montreal Canadians team who came in with a 9-0 record to start the season and the other four came with a rookie goalie in net making his first NHL start.

Even the Amerks were cause for concern as they were humiliated at home by the rival Toronto Marlies (TOR) 8-2 on Friday, the same night the Sabres were getting buried by the Canadiens 7-2. After starting out the season 2-0, Rochester proceeded to lose three straight road games before getting smoked by Toronto. "I was at a loss for words," said Amerks head coach Randy Cunneyworth after the Toronto game. "After every period to go into [the locker room] and give them advice on how we can be better, and it seems to fall on deaf ears, I don't know. Somebody's got to come up with some answers. There's got to be some guys looking in the mirror."

Russ Brandon ready to work some magic with the Sabres Hockey Dept.

Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com


Let's get this out of the way right now, just named President of the Buffalo Sabres, Russ Brandon, is not a sports personnel guy. Nor is he a scout or GM or coach. Nor is he in charge of operations on the football field or on the ice for Pegula Sports and Entertainment. Brandon is a marketing guy and that will be his supreme focus.

His outstanding work as President of the Buffalo Bills caught the attention of Terry and Kim Pegula, owners of both the Sabres and the Bills and they felt that Brandon should be the guy to head both franchises. "Since we purchased the Buffalo Bills last October, we have been highly impressed with the business acumen that Russ has shown with the Bills," the Pegulas said via a press release. "Now is an appropriate time to give him additional responsibilities with the Sabres. Russ will work with Pegula Sports & Entertainment to create strong synergies between the Sabres and Bills. With Russ' strong ties to the area business community and sponsorship partners, he will effectively position both organizations for future growth."