BUFFALO, N. [url=http://www.discountairmax.com/]Sale Air Max Online[/url] .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

BUFFALO, N. Sale Air Max Online .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. Wholesale Nike Air Max Shoes . 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The Titans have also won two straight, taking out the likes of Aquinas (109-59) and USF (67-57) since the start of December. The Shockers leads the all-time series with their hosts, 13-7, although the teams have split 10 previous meetings in Detroit. Overall, WSU has won nine of the last 10 matchups, and this is only the fourth encounter between them since 1957. Wichita State came out firing in its recent clash with Seton Hall, shooting 54.8 percent from the field in the opening half, while holding the Pirates to just a 36 percent success rate. As a result, the Shockers led 40-25 at the break and never looked back. Ron Baker paced the winning side with 22 points, while Fred VanVleet finished with 18 points and eight assists, Darius Carter a double-double consisting of 16 points and 12 rebounds, and Tekele Cotton 11 points. Turnovers played an important role as SHU was guuilty of 18 miscues, off which WSU scored 24 points. Cheap Air Max 2018 Shoes. . Baker (18.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), VanVleet (13.3 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.0 apg), Carter (11.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg) and Cotton (10.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg) are all averaging double digits in the scoring column for a Wichita State squad that is putting up 78.3 ppg thanks to shooting efforts of .474 overall and .387 from 3-point range. Defensively, the Shockers are yielding just 58.7 ppg, and they own significant advantages in both rebounding (+9.7) and turnovers (+5.3). Juwan Howard, Jr. poured in 16 points and Anton Wilson added 15 of his own to help lead Detroit to its recent win over USF. Paris Bass pitched in 11 points off the bench for the Titans, who made good on 45.1 percent of their total shots, actually shooting better from beyond the arc (10-of-21, .476). Conversely, USF was successful on only 5-of-19 3-point tries while committing 17 turnovers, from which the home team scored 25 points. Howard has been far-and-away the teams top performer through the first month of the season, as he is netting 18.7 ppg, while also grabbing 4.6 rpg and handing out 2.0 apg. Wilson and Bass are both averaging double digits as well, netting 12.7 and 12.3 ppg, respectively, helping the Titans muster 73.4 ppg behind a solid 3-point shooting effort (.394). Detroit is routinely losing the rebounding battle (-1.9), but goads the opposition into 17.2 turnovers per outing. ' ' '