Sabres Edge

The end for Flyers, the end for Canada

Many of you probably saw the Penguins crush the Flyers, 6-0, to easily wrap up the Eastern Conference final and advance to the Stanley Cup final for the first time since 1992. Not much of an effort from Daniel Briere, Marty Biron & Co. They just added to the Flyers' odd habit of no-shows in clinching games (think of the Sabres' 8-0 and 7-1 series wrapups earlier in this decade).

But for sheer drama, I wish we could have seen the final of the World Championships in Quebec City. Russia overcame a 4-2 deficit in the third period and won it in overtime, 5-4, on a power play goal by Atlanta Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk, who had also scored the tying goal in the third period. Had to be a total crusher for folks north of the border to have that happen on home ice.

Here's TSN's video recap of the dramatic gold-medal game.

---Mike Harrington

It's Canada vs. Russia for the gold

Canada, with a roster that features Derek Roy, will meet Russia (Maxim Afinogenov, Dmitri Kalinin) in Sunday afternoon's gold-medal game at the World Championships in Quebec City. Canada overcame Sweden, 5-4, on Friday (see the video highlights here) while Russia earned its berth in the final with a 4-0 win over Finland.

And if you missed the highlights of Finland's 3-2 overtime win over the United States in the quarterfinals, you can catch up here. The U.S. was in a 2-0 hole late in the third period before getting two quick goals to tie the score and the second one was netted by Drew Stafford.

---Mike Harrington

(CP Photo: Goalie Pascal Leclaire, who plays for Columbus, is pumped as the clock runs out in Canada's victory)

USA gets Sabres treatment

Once again, we've got a goal scored through the side of the net. Finland beat U.S. goaltender Robert Esche (yes, that Robert Esche) with a shot that went through the netting wide of the post.The goal somehow stood even though the review was clear, and the Finns beat the United States, 3-2, in a qualifying round game at the world championships.

Sabres fans no doubt remember John LeClair of the Flyers scoring against the Sabres through the side of the net in the 2000 playoffs. Unfortunately, I have yet to find the video of Darcy Regier flipping out on NHL supervisor John D'Amico. But I'll keep looking because it's worth it.

---John Vogl

World championships under way

The world championships started Friday, and members of the Sabres play a prominent role on several teams.

USA: Jason Pominville and Drew Stafford (plus local products Patrick Kane and Lee Stempniak)

Canada: Derek Roy

Czech Republic: Ales Kotalik

Germany: Philip Gogulla

Russia: Maxim Afinogenov, Dmitri Kalinin

Slovakia: Andrej Sekera

You can follow the tournament, which is being played in Canada for the first time, at this link. The tournament runs through May 18.

---John Vogl

"Party" in the plaza

FALMOUTH, Maine -- Shared a good laugh today with Jason Pominville when we were discussing Friday night's game between Pittsburgh and the Rangers. Versus kept going to its outdoor camera to show people watching the game on big screens outside Mellon Arena. Judging from the television, the Penguins packed their plaza with, oh, 50 people, maybe 100. It was a long way from the thousands upon thousands outside HSBC Arena last year.

"I did see that, and the first thing I thought of was that," Pominville said of the disparity. "When we were in the playoffs last year, they would show it on the Jumbotron and you couldn't see the end. There weren't that many people in Pittsburgh."

Penguins fans can still laugh, however, as they at least have playoffs to participate in.

As for Pominville, read Sunday's News to see his thoughts on joining Team USA despite being born in Canada. It was a good decision for him with an eye on the 2010 Olympics, and it was a great decision for the Americans to get someone who is becoming a top-notch player.

---John Vogl

Gerbe getting up to speed

FALMOUTH, Maine -- I got my first look at Sabres prospect Nathan Gerbe today at Team USA training camp (the Boston College junior recently was added to the world championship team). My first impression was the same one everyone gets when they see him on the ice: Man, that guy is small. The 5-foot-5 forward was standing next to 6-3 teammate David Backes, and the top of Gerbe's helmet was even with Backes' shoulder pads.

But, as we all know, first impressions can soon get overshadowed. The height disparity isn't what I'll remember about today's practice. What I'll recall is how long Gerbe stayed on the ice. Most of the team was in the dressing room and out of uniform, yet there was Gerbe, standing in front of the net with a crate full of pucks, firing them over and over. He ended up being the third-last player to call it a day. (For the record, the final player off the ice was West Seneca's Lee Stempniak, whom I'll be writing about in Saturday's paper.)

Gerbe has had a whirlwind month -- Hobey Baker runner-up, national champion, Frozen Four MVP -- and now he's playing with some of the country's best professionals. He's eager to see how he stacks up.

"It's been a special year, so I'm really thankful to be part of this team here," Gerbe said. "It's a good group of guys to be skating with to kind of get to compare yourself with. It's like a measuring stick to see where you stand at the pro level. It's definitely an honor, especially to represent your country. I can't complain about the year so far.

"It's quick. The guys move the puck fast. It's a lot different than college, so definitely a little getting used to. But it's been a good transition so far. The guys obviously help me out, giving me pointers here and there, things I can do better."

As he's already shown, he's willing to work to get better.

---John Vogl