Wir suchen Dich! » He made some big saves on a power

The Buffalo Bills wont be coming north this season. The NFL club and Rogers Communications announced Wednesday theyve put the beleaguered Bills Toronto Series -- which features Buffalo playing exhibition and regular-season games at Rogers Centre -- on hold for at least a year. That means the team will play eight home games at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y., for the first time since 2007. "The plan is to postpone it for one year, regroup and determine whats the next best step," said Keith Pelley, the president of Rogers Communications media division. "Its not nullified right now, we have an agreement in place. "Anything is possible but thats not the plan. The plan is to take a step back and say, OK, the Series is having some challenges, the NFL is still big in Toronto, its still important to the Bills so whats the best way to move forward?" The decision comes a little more than a year after the Bills and Rogers agreed to renew the series for five years, though 2017 after the original five-year deal expired. A series-low gathering of 38,969 watched the Atlanta Falcons nip Buffalo 34-31 in overtime Dec. 1 at Rogers Centre, which can seat 54,000 spectators for football. The loss dropped the Bills regular-season record in Toronto to a dismal 1-5 -- and 0-4 in December -- since the start of the series in 08. Buffalo also sports the NFLs longest active post-season drought at 14 straight seasons. Bills president Russ Brandon said the atmosphere at Rogers Centre versus Atlanta figured in the clubs decision to take a step back. "I think thats a fair comment," Brandon told reporters in Orchard Park. "Obviously were trying to build a fan base north of the border and this year I would say it was a neutral crowd. "Some of that had to do with how we played over the last six years, (that) has really not been conducive to building a lot of fans that were NFL fans, but were trying to make them Bills fans. Were going to continue to try to do that through a variety of initiatives that we will be working with Rogers over the next year in a very robust sponsorship and partnership that we will have that will cater to fans above the border." Following the loss to Atlanta, Brandon publicly questioned whether his club loses its competitive edge playing in Toronto. Buffalo has often battled neutral crowds at its home away from home. Bills games at Rogers Centre routinely attract a mix of NFL fans who proudly don their team colours and cheer as loudly -- or sometimes louder -- for Buffalos opponent than the home team. In fact, several Falcons players were surprised at the support they received at Rogers Centre. "It didnt feel like we were in Canada," said Atlanta safety William Moore. "I even saw a No. 25 jersey (Moores number) out there." Whats more, playing in a domed facility robs the Bills of their biggest home advantage: The cold, windy conditions that are the norm in December at Ralph Wilson Stadium. "Were going to go through a detailed full analysis," Brandon said. "Were going to look at every aspect that if we do come back we have a more robust fan experience and try to create more of a home field advantage for us. "Right now that was not the situation. That was one of the reasons we want to get in to a lot of detail with our partners up there and see if that is viable moving forward." Brandons statement "if we do come back," prompted a followup question regarding whether the Bills mightve played their final game in Toronto. "What I said is that were going through a full evaluation process and well work with our partners," Brandon responded. The Bills Toronto Series was unveiled as an attempt to showcase Toronto as a viable NFL city. Rogers Communications Inc. paid US$78 million to stage eight games -- five regular season, three exhibition -- expecting southern Ontario fans to flock to Rogers Centre. But high-priced tickets -- initially averaging over $180 each, compared to roughly US$51 at Orchard Park --and struggling Bills teams combined to make it a tough sell. Tickets were reduced to roughly an average price of $99 to make the game more affordable but even that didnt result in a sellout. "Its always very difficult to change public opinion midway through a project," Pelley said. "Theres no hiding the fact the series did not get off to a rosy start. "It tough midway through to change that perception, hence the reason why we thought it would be a best to take a year off then re-launch it once weve thought that through." Series organizers have also struggled to find the right formula to re-create the NFL experience here. A huge attraction for many American football fans is arriving at the stadium hours before kickoff, setting up the barbecue to cook a variety of foods while throwing a football around in the parking lot or breaking down the upcoming game with friends over a cold beer. However, provincial laws make that impossible in Toronto. The creation of the series also fuelled speculation Toronto would be the landing spot for the Bills upon the death of Ralph Wilson Jr., the clubs 95-year-old owner. However, Brandon routinely stated the NFL club was merely broadening its regional base to include Canadas largest city and generate additional revenue. Brandon said the Bills must take ownership for their role in the series struggles. "I think its been a roller-coaster from the standpoint of just the losses," he said. "Thats on us. "Some of the initiatives Rogers has worked through on their end have improved, but obviously this past year was disappointing with that neutral crowd that we had there, to say the least. I think there have been positives. As I mentioned earlier, the biggest positive has been the influx of fans back here at Ralph Wilson Stadium." Now the question remains whether the Bills can sell out eight home games in 2014. "Obviously last year we had to really work for our sellouts, understandably so," Brandon said. "Thats something that were willing to take on, that challenge. "We have very passionate fans and tremendous fans, but we have to really work to sell tickets here as weve discussed in the past. Were not satisfied until every seat in this building is sold. Thats always the No. 1 initiative and really the foundation of how we run our business." Kyle Walker Jersey . 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Kyle Walker England Jersey . -- San Francisco 49ers offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman is a finalist to replace Joe Paterno at Penn State, his agent said Monday.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. Luongo made 25 saves and the Vancouver Canucks shut out the Buffalo Sabres 3-0 on Thursday night. "He made some big saves on a power play to keep it out," Canucks coach John Tortorella said. "I dont think he was terribly busy, but thats a hard game for him and he made some big saves at key times for us." Brad Richardson, Chris Higgins and Ryan Stanton scored for the Canucks (5-3-0), who are off to their best start since opening 2005 at 6-1-1. Luongo was tested with 11 shots in the third period before finishing his first shutout since Feb. 22 at Nashville. It was his 63rd career shutout. Luongo entered the game with a .899 save percentage and three games with three or more goals allowed "Ive been feeling good the whole year," Luongo said. "The stats dont show it really, but the important thing is not to get frustrated." The Sabres (1-7-1) remain winless at home this season and were again booed off the ice after the second period in whats become a familiar refrain. Even louder were the "Fire Darcy" chants in reference to Sabres general manager Darcy Regier that came after Vancouvers third goal. Regier declined comment after the game. Coach Ron Rolston and his players were disappointed with the loss. "If we dont play the right way, theyre creating their own frustration," Rolston said. "So theyve got to figure that out." Buffalo failed to build momentum after getting its first win of the season Tuesday at the New York Islanders. Their offence didnt record their 10th shot until there was 5:35 to go in the second period, as Drew Stafford took a shot from the top of the left circle. The closest the Sabres came to scoring came 53 seconds into the third period when Thomas Vanek beat Luongo over his right shoulder. It waas ruled a goal, but overturned when replays showed the puck hitting the crossbar and left post before rolling along the goal line.dddddddddddd "I thought it was in," Luongo said. "I was kinda cheating a little bit there. I thought he was going to bring it to his backhand and he ended up shooting. That one I probably deserved to get scored on, but it all evens out by the end of the year." Luongo won a matchup of goaltenders from the gold-medal game at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Canadas Luongo beat the United States Miller, who gave up the decisive goal to Sidney Crosby in overtime. Both are candidates to play for their countries at the games in Sochi, Russia, in February. It was Vancouvers first win in four trips to Buffalo since Feb. 7, 2003. Vancouver opened the scoring with 5:07 to play in the first. Cody McCormick gave the puck away in the slot and Higgins scored over Millers left shoulder. The Canucks doubled their advantage on an unusual short-handed goal. Jason Garrisons shot deflected off Mark Pysyk and Richardson used his backhand to tap the puck out of the air and past Miller. It was the Canucks league-best third short-handed goal of the season. Miller made 31 saves for the Sabres. He was in the locker room but, through a team spokesman, declined to speak to reporters. Rolston raved about his goaltender. "Oh, he played great again," Rolston said. "He was fabulous again for us. Hes been our best player from the start." It was the second time the Sabres have been shutout this season and the seventh time they scored one goal or fewer. NOTES: Sabres RW Patrick Kaleta served the fourth game of a 10-game suspension, which he is appealing. ... Canucks D Alexander Edler served the final game of his three-game suspension for a high hit on San Joses Tomas Hertl. ... Sabres rookie C Zemgus Girgensons was scratched in the first game since he was struck in the head with a puck at the Islanders on Tuesday night. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '