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Sports

Surging Sabres bring buzz back to Buffalo, closing in on playoff berth in 15 years

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BUFFALO, N.Y. — Josh Norris’ father had never steered him wrong before. And yet the Sabres forward was somewhat skeptical of just how passionate Buffalo was as a hockey market upon his arrival in a trade from Ottawa a year ago.

Sidelined by an injury, Norris would sit in the press box staring out at a half-empty arena, and hearing a chorus of boos and derogatory chants directed at the team and now former general manager Kevyn Adams, who was fired in December and replaced by Jarmo Kekalainen.

This wasn’t the rollicking atmosphere his dad, Dwayne Norris, recalled of Buffalo during his brief NHL playing days in the mid-1990s, before spending 11 more seasons in Germany.

“I knew he wasn’t lying,” Norris said of his father’s recollections, which have suddenly been realized by a Sabres team enjoying a remarkable turnaround that’s unmistakably revived the hockey buzz in Buffalo this season.

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“I feel like they’re getting let out of a cage in a sense — and I mean that in the best way possible,” Norris said of an energized fanbase that’s filling the 19,000-plus seat KeyBank Center, and bringing back memorable chants such as, “Ooh! Ahh! Sabres on the warpath.”

“Now that we’re in this spot, I think it’s hard to miss,” he added. “It’s right in front of you. And it’s incredible to be a part of.”

Winning has a way of flipping the script for a franchise mired in an NHL-record 14-season playoff drought.

In the span of three-plus months, the Sabres have gone from sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings to sharing top spot with Carolina following their 4-3 overtime loss to Boston on Wednesday. The Sabres enter Friday riding a 33-6-4 run that’s all but assured them of clinching their first playoff berth since 2011.

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And the fans are coming back in hordes.

A season after selling out just five of 40 home games (not including an NHL Global Series outing in Europe), the Sabres have enjoyed 17 sellouts this year, including their past 11 straight.

“You can’t beat it. It’s unbelievable. We have some of the best fans in the league and they deserve the success,” said forward Alex Tuch, who was a Sabres fan growing up in Syracuse, New York.

Now 29, Tuch was 14 the last time the Sabres qualified for the playoffs, and had just turned 11 the last time Buffalo won a playoff series in 2007.

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“It’s pretty cool, honestly,” Tuch said of what his younger self might think. “I’d be pretty proud of myself right now. But like I’ve said, job not done.”

The Sabres, to a man, have taken a stay-the-course approach in avoiding getting caught up in the wave of excitement they’ve generated. Past frustrations and collapses are still too recent to allow players and coach Lindy Ruff to be drawn into a sense of overconfidence.

Though there are enough comparisons to the team’s last heydays in 2005-07, when Buffalo twice reached and lost in the East finals, Ruff has kept the focus firmly on the present.

“You guys are going to get tired of this,” he said, referring to reporters, “but we’re focusing on the next game.”

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And yet Ruff, now in the second season of his second stint in Buffalo, can appreciate how the atmosphere has changed during home games — reminiscent of his first tenure coaching the team from 1997-2013.

“The energy in the building has really been great for our group. I mean, it’s probably the first time they’ve experienced it,” Ruff said. “So embrace it but know there’s a lot of work to do.”

With 10 games left, Buffalo’s magic number to clinch a playoff berth is 10 points entering Thursday.

Leading scorer Tage Thompson had only known frustration during his previous seven seasons in Buffalo.

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“I think everyone in the room has a big level of pride for where we’ve gotten ourselves up to this point. It’s been an extremely hard road to get here,” Thompson said. “I think that gives you a little bit more appreciation for where you’re at. And I think it makes you not want to take it for granted.”

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Barcelona vs Real Madrid LIVE, El Clasico: Marcus Rashford Scores Stunning Free-Kick, Barcelona Take Early Lead | FCB 1-0 RMA

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5′ Barcelona go through on the left with Marcus Rashford, who swings a low cross into the box. However, Real Madrid left-back Fran Garcia recovers in time to prevent any danger.

A minute later, Barcelona attack again, but this time it’s Raul Asencio who recovers and makes a superb tackle! Remember, Asencio came in last-minute after Dean Huijsen felt discomfort during warm-up.

FCB 0-0 RMA

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NU’s Greg Ancheta fights through and wins ‘most meaningful’ title

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Greg Ancheta NU Bulldogs UAAP Season 88 Finals

NU setter Greg Ancheta, left, celebrates during a win over FEU in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Feeling the weight of the pressure, Greg Ancheta endured tearful nights, crying quietly in bed as he dealt with self-doubt without his teammates knowing.

Tasked with steering National University’s loaded offense bannered by Alas Pilipinas stars Leo Ordiales and Buds Buddin, Ancheta admitted the journey was far from easy, but one he eventually overcame through trust given by coach Dante Alinsunurin and his teammates and, more importantly, belief in himself.

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“There were times when I’d lie in bed crying alone. I just didn’t show it to my teammates or the people I shared a room with,” Ancheta said in Filipino.

READ: Latest UAAP crown is NU’s toughest title run, says Alinsunurin

“But I held on to Coach Dante’s reminder that I can’t rely only on the coaches if I want to play. I need to have my own identity as a player. I’m also thankful because they gave me their trust, and from there, I just kept working hard.”

After losing their last two games in the elimination round and finishing with a 10-4 record, Alinsunurin lamented that their set plays became one of their problems.

“There’s really a story behind that because I kept telling him that he needed to challenge himself. I wanted to push him and see what he was capable of because I knew he could help carry us to a championship,” said Alinsunurin of Ancheta.

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“In that situation, I really tried to bring out more from him. I told him he shouldn’t just depend on the coaching staff or the people teaching him. What’s important is that he learns how to decide for himself — not only in volleyball, but also in life.  He needs to build his own identity as a player,” he added.

It lit the fire under Ancheta as he unleashed 30 excellent sets in NU’s win over University of Santo Tomas in the playoff for the No.2 spot. He then dished out 23 in their Final Four victory against UST to reach the title round for the 11th straight time.

READ: UAAP Finals: NU Bulldogs claim ‘six-peat’ with sweep of FEU Tamaraws

In the finals opener, Ancheta anchored NU’s five-set comeback with 31 excellent sets and paced NU’s successful “six-peat” with 20 excellent sets in their 26-24, 25-22, 25-22 sweep of FEU to rule the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

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“It feels really good because I was able to overcome all the challenges that came my way,” Ancheta said.

Alinsunurin, now an eight-time champion coach, credited his playmaker for accepting the challenge.

“With what he showed in the semifinals and finals, he was really impressive. I knew he was ready, and he performed very well,” he said.

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After overcoming the quiet battles no one else saw, Ancheta found tranquility with NU’s latest championship.



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“I want to thank coach Dante, who stood by my side and allowed me to fight for myself, too,” said Ancheta. “At this point, I feel like I don’t have anything left to prove except to give my best every game. Maybe this is the most meaningful championship I’ve won.”

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NFL fans brutally mock Colts LB CJ Allen over “slow” running speed at rookie camp

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The Indianapolis Colts selected former Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft with the 53rd overall pick. The franchise posted a clip of the 21-year-old working out at rookie camp on Saturday.

“CJ in motion,” the caption read.

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Fans flocked to the comment section to share their reaction to the video.

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“I seen dads at a cookout move faster,” a fan said.

i seen dads at a cookout move faster

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“Dude moving like a Amazon package handler,” one fan commented.

“10 and 11 personnel going to have CJ in hell,” another fan added.

Here are some more reactions.

“Get cj a stretch dr. Stiff af,” a fan wrote.

“he is still just as slow fjejxbjanxjzjd,” one fan posted.

“Did he just learn how to run today?” Another fan said.

“Delete this bro looks 40 years old,” one comment read.

As the Colts’ rookie minicamp got underway on May 8–10, 2026, Allen’s athleticism was a major talking point. Throughout the 2026 draft process, many scouting reports labeled the linebacker as an average athlete. Reports suggested he had slow lateral speed and slow change of direction.

Many argued that he often looked split-second late on film when reacting to zone passes or chasing down fast ball carriers.

Also Read: “Chiefs are about to get him” “100% going to be a Eagle”: NFL fans react as Colts release Pro Bowl CB Kenny Moore

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Also Read: “Gotta let him know he’s the little brother”: Colts WR Josh Downs gets candid about facing Cowboys rookie Caleb Downs

CJ Allen reveals the story behind wearing No. 53 with the Colts

After wearing No. 3 throughout his standout career at Georgia, CJ Allen needed a new number in the NFL because Colts kicker Spencer Shrader already wore it.

Indianapolis assigned Allen No. 53, and at first, he saw it as a standard linebacker jersey. Later, he was selected with the 53rd overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft after the Colts traded down from No. 47.

The jersey also holds major franchise history as former Colts All-Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard wore No. 53 during his dominant run with the team. He won AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2018 and earned three first-team AP All-Pro selections while wearing the iconic number. Allen now hopes to create his own legacy in Indianapolis.

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The former Georgia star appeared in 41 games with 30 starts from 2023-25, recording 205 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, 11 pass breakups, one interception, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

His impressive 2025 campaign included 88 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, helping him earn First Team All-America and First Team All-SEC honors.