May 4, 2011 - 6:45 PM
The qualification round of the world championships will begin with a rivalry game. The United States and Canada will play each other Friday, the most-anticipated game of the tournament so far.
Sabres center Paul Gaustad is an alternate captain for the United States, while defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani plays for Canada.
---John Vogl
John Vogl has been covering the Sabres since 2002-03, an era that has included playoff runs, last-place finishes and three ownership changes. The award-winning writer is the Buffalo chapter chairman for the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association.
@BuffNewsVogl | jvogl@buffnews.com
Mike Harrington, a Canisius College graduate who began his career as a News reporter in 1987, is in his sixth season covering the Buffalo Sabres. He is a member of the Professional Hockey Writers Association and can vouch that exposed flesh freezes instantly when walking in downtown Winnipeg in January.
