Sabres notebook: Local fans enjoy chance to see Iginla
Published: November 14, 2009, 12:18 am
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Friday night was why folks pleaded with the NHL to return to its balanced schedule, the one in which every team plays each other. For three seasons — from 2005-06 to 2007-08 — the league tried building local rivalries and created a rotating system in which an Eastern Conference division skipped a division from the West.
Among the teams the Buffalo Sabres avoided in 2007-08 were the Calgary Flames. Good for the Sabres, since the Flames went 42-30-10. Bad for Sabres fans because they missed Jarome Iginla, MVP runner-up that season.
The balanced schedule returned last year, and Iginla returned to HSBC Arena on Friday. The Flames and their superstar hadn't visited Western New York since 2006-07. Their backers were ready, with bright red jerseys popping up at the morning skate and invading the stands for the game.
"It got a little thin when we weren't in the playoffs for a while," Iginla said Friday, "and we'd always see other people's jerseys at our place when we'd play those teams. But we didn't see that many [Calgary sweaters] on the road. That's definitely growing on the road, and it's nice to see. It's great to be able to score a goal or a get a win in another building and see your fans standing up and enjoying it."
Iginla is the prime reason for the Flames becoming more popular. The captain has scored at least 35 goals each of the past seven seasons, and he topped 50 twice. He's also averaged 52 assists the past three years.
"He's a dominant player in this league," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "Our fans don't get to see those type of players that often because of being out West, but he's a good competitor, he's a good leader for them. He's a guy that, given key offensive situations, he doesn't miss very often."
Iginla entered Buffalo on his hottest stretch of the season, scoring five times in the previous four games to reach nine goals.
"He's realizing that you can play within a real structured game and be rewarded offensively by doing so," said defensive-minded coach Brent Sutter, in his first season with Calgary.
Unlike many high-scoring stars, Iginla brings an iron-fisted edge to his game. Although he denied it, there were rumblings Iginla challenged everyone on Montreal's bench to a fight during Tuesday's 1-0 victory over the Canadiens.
"Iginla stands out," Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller said. "He's had a great career. He's a hard competitor. I respect the way he plays. We don't get to see him too often, so it is nice to see how you stack up against a great player like him."
Sabres right wing Mike Grier missed his first game of the season. The forward injured his groin late in Wednesday's 3-1 victory over Edmonton. Patrick Kaleta moved up to fill Grier's spot alongside Tim Kennedy and Jochen Hecht.
Adam Mair played his fourth game of the season and first since Oct. 31. He joined Paul Gaustad and Matt Ellis.
Forbes magazine estimates the values of NHL franchises every year, and its newest rankings were released this week. Forbes says the Sabres are worth $170 million, a 1 percent increase from the magazine's previous estimate. They rate as the 23rd most valuable franchise in the 30-team league.
Majority owner Tom Golisano purchased the club in 2003 for between $60 million and $92 million.
The Toronto Maple Leafs again top Forbes' list with an estimated worth of $470 million, while the league-run Phoenix Coyotes are last at $138 million.
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