Forennews » 3 yards out to force OT. Five straig

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. Custom Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys . The Toronto Blue Jays general manager made a series of bold moves that reshaped the club ahead of what would turn out to be a disastrous 2013 campaign. Ben Simmons Jersey . JOHNS, N. http://www.76ersstore.com/kids-jj-redick-76ers-jersey/. Summers has seen scant playing time with the Coyotes since being selected 29th overall by the club in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, having played in 47 career NHL games. Philadelphia 76ers Jerseys . -- Ryan Millers debut for the St. Moses Malone Jersey . - Jerome Verrier scored the winner 8:24 into overtime and Louis-Phillip Guindon stopped 46 shots as the Drummondville Voltigeurs edged the host Val-dOr Foreurs 4-3 on Friday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action.Athens, GA (SportsNetwork.com) - Yet another Georgia Tech-Georgia clash came down to the wire, and this time the Yellow Jackets survived in a Peach State thriller. Zach Laskeys third touchdown run of the day accounted for the only score in overtime, and the 16th-ranked Yellow Jackets escaped Sanford Stadium with a memorable 30-24 victory over the No. 8 Bulldogs. The roller-coaster finish saw Georgia Tech give up a go-ahead touchdown with 18 seconds left in regulation, only to have Harrison Butker force OT with a clutch 53-yard field goal. Butkers extra point in overtime was blocked, but D.J. White picked off Hutson Mason on the ensuing possession to give Georgia Tech (10-2) its first win over its in-state rival since 2008. It was a really crazy game, said Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson. I am so proud of our players. The Yellow Jackets, who will play Florida State for ACC crown, had lost 12 of the previous 13 meetings with Mark Richt as Georgias head coach, including a disappointment in double overtime last year. Another heartbreaking loss seemed imminent after Justin Thomas lost a fumble with 2:41 remaining, leading to Mason finding Malcolm Mitchell on fourth down to put the Bulldogs in front, 24-21, with 18 seconds on the clock. Richt made what turned out to be a poor decision, opting for a squib kick that gave Georgia Tech the ball on its own 43-yard line. Im disappointed in my decision to squib kick, Richt admitted. That gave them the field position to get it in range and kick it. That was a poor decision on my part. That was no ones decision but mine. Thomas ran 21 yards before going out of bounds with four seconds left, and Butker, whose previous career-long was 49 yards, got just enough from 53 yards out to force OT. Five straight runs -- four by Laskey -- gave the Yellow Jackets the lead, and Masons ill-advised pass on 2nd-and-goal was picked off by White. Laskey gained 140 of Georgia Techs 399 rushing yards, while Thomas passed for just 64 yards and a touchdown on 6-of-16 attempts. Mason finished with 194 passing yards for Georgia (9-3), which committed three turnovers after totaling 11 in its first eight games. Thhe Bulldogs, whose hopes of reaching the SEC title game were dashed with Missouris win on Friday, turned to Nick Chubb out of the backfield with star running back Todd Gurley having undergone knee surgery earlier this week.dddddddddddd. Chubb gained 36 of his 129 yards on the games opening possession and punched one in from the 1-yard line to give Georgia the early lead. The freshman nearly scored again in the opening quarter when he ripped off a 65-yard run. He was pushed out just before the goal line, and two plays later he tried launching himself into the end zone and coughed it up. A long Georgia Tech drive after the turnover came up empty when Butker had his 37-yard field goal try blocked midway through the second quarter. Georgia was going in for another score but again fumbled it away. Sony Michel lost the ball this time, and Georgia Tech recovered in the end zone. The Yellow Jackets, in danger of being shut out in the opening half for the first time since 2008, converted a pair of fourth-down tries and got on the board on Darren Wallers 7-yard touchdown grab with eight seconds left. They were on the doorstep early in the second half, but Thomas, on 3rd-and- goal, was stuffed up the middle and disappeared among the mass of bodies. No whistle was blown for forward progress, and Damian Swann came out of the pile with the football and raced 99 yards the other way for a touchdown. Following a blocked Georgia field goal try, Laskeys 4-yard touchdown run pulled the Yellow Jackets even late in the third quarter. Marshall Morgan kicked a 19-yard chip shot with 11:19 remaining, and Georgia Tech responded with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that took nearly seven minutes off the clock. Laskeys 8-yard touchdown run was followed by a pooch kick that the Yellow Jackets recovered. They took over at the Georgia 27 with 4:22 remaining, and Thomas turnover led to the dramatic conclusion. Game Notes This was the first overtime game in the history of Sanford Stadium ... The last time these rivals squared off with nine wins apiece was 1942 ... Georgia still leads to all-time series, 64-40-5. 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