BUFFALO, N.Y. -- First, Ryan Miller. Now, Pat LaFontaine. A day after trading their star goalie to St. Louis, the Buffalo Sabres lost another face of their franchise after LaFontaine abruptly resigned as president of hockey operations on Saturday a little more than three months after being brought in to provide a new direction to the NHLs last-place team. The Sabres announced the decision in a news release issued after speculation had been raised of a potential front-office shake-up involving LaFontaine. "I would like to thank Pat for all he has done for the organization," Sabres owner Terry Pegula said in the release. "Pat joined us at a very difficult time, and helped transition the organization down a new path." The Sabres said LaFontaine would be returning to his previous role working with the National Hockey League. LaFontaine had been working with the league on player safety issues before being hired by the Sabres in mid-November. The former Sabres captains arrival was hailed as a major turning point for a struggling team. LaFontaine took over following a change in the front office during which general manager Darcy Regier and coach Ron Rolston were dismissed following the Sabres 4-15-1 start. LaFontaines first move was hiring former Sabres coach Ted Nolan to take over as coach on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. LaFontaines next step came in January, when he hired Tim Murray as general manager. "Terry Pegula hired me in November, and my primary objective was to lead the Sabres organization through a time of transition," LaFontaine said in the Sabres release. "Im proud of what weve been able to accomplish in a short period of time, and want to thank Terry and Kim Pegula for the opportunity and their support during my time with the Sabres." LaFontaines resignation still comes as a major surprise. In January, LaFontaine talked openly about how he would use his connections to USA Hockey in a bid to lure national and international events to Buffalo. He leaves a day after Murray made his first big splash by trading star goalie Ryan Miller and captain Steve Ott to the St. Louis Blues. In exchange, the Sabres acquired goalie Jaroslav Halak, forward Chris Stewart, prospect William Carrier, a 2015 first-round pick and a conditional 2016 third-round pick in a deal reached in advance of the NHL trade deadline on Wednesday. The Sabres (18-34-8) had the day off on Saturday, and return to practice on Sunday before travelling to play at Dallas on Monday. They remain in last place, but are enjoying their first three-game winning streak following a 4-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Friday. This is not the first time LaFontaine has abruptly stepped down as an NHL team executive. In July 2006, LaFontaine quit the New York Islanders a little over a month after being brought in to serve as senior adviser to owner Charles Wang. In Buffalo, LaFontaines absence was notable this week once the team returned to the ice following the leagues Olympic break. He was not spotted in the press box during the Sabres three-game homestand that began with a 3-2 win over Carolina on Tuesday. That was unusual because LaFontaine had previously spent time watching games from the press-box level in Pegulas box, alongside Murray and several of the owners associates. LaFontaine also missed the teams "Power Play Luncheon" for fans on Friday, when he was scheduled to speak along with fellow former Sabres greats Gilbert Perreault, Rene Robert and Danny Gare. The crowd was informed LaFontaine had the flu. The Sabres have become a top-heavy organization since Regiers dismissal. Pegula created the position of president of hockey operations to hire LaFontaine. And Pegula did so only after LaFontaine declined a chance to become the GM by saying he didnt think he had enough experience for that job. Along with hiring Murray, the Sabres also brought in Hockey Hall of Fame member and long-time executive Craig Patrick to serve as a special adviser. LaFontaine backed the hiring of Murray and Patrick, by referring to both as his "wingers." He also discussed how important it was for him to be building a front-office team that could work together in rebuilding a team that has missed the playoffs in each of the past two seasons, and not won a playoff round since reaching the 2007 Eastern Conference finals. Its not clear what effect LaFontaines departure will have on the teams short-term future, including Nolans status. Murray said this week hes already had discussions with Nolan about extending his contract beyond this season. . Despite Arsenals financial firepower, the 31-year-old midfielder was the only arrival in the January transfer window. Signed until the end of the season as injury cover, Kallstrom might not be fit until mid-March after arriving Friday at Arsenal having injured his back earlier in the week while training with Spartak Moscow. . -- Thirty years ago, the Detroit Pistons beat the Denver Nuggets 186-184 in triple overtime, a game that remains the highest scoring in NBA history.
http://www.cheappiratesjerseysauthentic ... r-jersey.B. -- Canadas Rachel Homan opened the Ford Womens World Curling Championship with a 7-5 win over Russia on Saturday. ." The tournament was set to be held Sept. 15-21 and would have been the first ATP tournament held in Israel since 1996. But amid Israels military campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, ATP President Chris Kermode said "we do not feel we can proceed as planned given the situation in the region. . The 21-year-old Canadian earned a spot in his third career ATP final on Saturday thanks to his first Top 10 victory of the new tennis season, a 6-4, 6-4 win over world no. 10 Nicolas Almagro of Spain.CALGARY -- For a guy that has spent the majority of the season split between the ECHL and AHL, Winnipeg goaltender Michael Hutchinson sure looked like an NHL goaltender on Friday night. Paul Postma scored the game-winning goal and Hutchinson made 35 saves, including 18 in a perfect third period, as the Jets hung on for a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames. "Especially with where I started at the start of the year, I didnt think it would be possible to be in the NHL," said Hutchinson, who played Winnipegs final three games compiling a 2-1-0 record, 1.64 goals-against average and .943 save percentage. Postma broke a 3-3 tie at 9:16 of the third, ripping a slapshot past Karri Ramo from the blue-line. "There was a lot of traffic in front of the net and I just wanted to get it through. I took a shot, kept it low and it found a way into the back of the net," said Postma. It then fell upon Hutchinson to preserve the lead as the Flames feverishly buzzed around the Jets end, outshooting the visitors 14-1 before Blake Wheeler put the game away with an empty net goal. "I definitely had a lot of work in the third period but at the same time, our guys played hard in front and blocked a lot of shots," said the 24-year-old. "When your guys are working that hard in front of you, it gives you that added incentive to bear down and make those saves." One of Hutchinsons biggest stops came with four minutes left when he threw out his glove to stab a shot from Kenny Agostino, who had been sent in alone. "Hutch played so well for us these last three games. Hes got a bright future ahead of him and were looking forward to playing with him," Postma said. Michael Frolik, Evander Kane and Carl Klingberg also scored for Winnipeg (37-35-10). It was the final game of the season for the Jets. Going back to its days in Atlanta, the franchise has missed the playoffs the past seven years. Jiri Hudler, Sean Monahan and Kris Russell scored for Calgary (35-39-7), which had its four-game winning streak snapped. "We didnt get the start that we wanted but by the middle of the second period after those two power-play goals, it seemed like the momentum shifted and we had a great third period," said Flames coach Bob Hartley. "We missed a few chances, we hit some posts. The boys were on a mission, they wanted that win for the fans but unfortunately we couldnt get it done." It was Calgarys final game at the Scotiabank Saddledome, where they finish up 19-19-3. After the game as the players saluted the fans with a wave of their sticks at centre ice, the appreciative crowd rose to their feet in a thundering ovation. "It was cool that everyone stayed in the building. Its been great all year. TThe support has been unbelievable," said Flames captain Mark Giordano.dddddddddddd Testament to how hard Calgary has played is its 49 one-goal games (25-18-7), which ties the NHL record set by Florida in 2010-11. "Weve really tried to establish a work ethic and an identity of being one of the hardest-working teams in the league," said veteran Flames centre Matt Stajan. "Its exciting for everybody and Im glad the fans see that. But we know we have a lot of work ahead of us. No one is satisfied in here. We have to find a way to get at least 15 more points next year and get into the playoff picture." Hartley is proud of how his team has played and says the fans are too. "Its mutual respect. Its a great story between this team and the fans. We are all part of a great community and you can feel that pride," Hartley said. "Its on me to keep that pride and keep that progression going. Despite the loss tonight I am really happy how we turned our season, especially at home. Thats where success starts." Down 3-1 halfway through the second, the Flames got a great chance to get back in the game when they got a two-man advantage for 1:31. Mark Stuart put the Jets down two men when he caught Hudler in the face with a high stick. Although just 1-for-9 with a two-man advantage coming into the game, this time Calgary took full advantage when Monahan scored at 11:46 and Russell tied it 24 seconds later. Monahans 22nd goal is the most by a Flames rookie in 24 years, dating back to 1989-90 when Paul Ranheim had 26 and Sergei Makarov had 24. After Hudlers goal reduced the Jets lead to 2-1, Winnipeg restored its two-goal cushion at 8:48 when Klingberg curled out from behind the net and wrapped in his first NHL goal. The Jets scored twice in the first. Frolik on a deflection off of Flames defenceman TJ Brodie at 7:23 then Kane at 16:10 when he ripped a wrist shot into the top corner. "I never ever put a lot of stock into the last games when youre out, except if they quit on each other, if they just say Its fine," said Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice. "They didnt quit and there was nothing on the line." Ramo had 22 stops to see his record fall to 17-14-4. Notes: Rookie Jets D Jacob Trouba left the game halfway through the first period after a shot from Paul Byron hit his own stick blade and struck him in the face. He did not return... Calgary C Mike Cammalleri (virus) did not play... Maurice finishes the year 18-12-5 after taking over as Winnipegs head coach on Jan. 12... Flames signed Hobey Baker winner Johnny Gaudreau and his Boston College linemate Bill Arnold. Both will join the team for practice Saturday in Vancouver and will be in the line-up against the Canucks on Sunday. ' ' '
