WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Brendan Guhle has played 30 games in Rochester this seasson. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Early on, as injuries decimated the blue line and rookie Brendan Guhle stayed in Rochester, the Sabres’ plan for their top defense prospect became obvious.
“We were going through a tough stretch there … (and) we had some capable defensemen back there, we were giving them an opportunity to see what they can bring to our team,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “They were winning hockey games (in ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark was recalled once earlier this year. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – The reeling Sabres, who have an NHL-low 10 wins, recalled defenseman Brendan Guhle and goalie Linus Ullmark from the Rochester Americans this morning.
What does it mean? Stay tuned. The Sabres are beginning practice inside KeyBank Center. But after four straight losses, the last-place team could be shaking things up a bit.
Casey Mittelstadt compiled 11 points in seven games. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Casey Mittelstadt had seen his name and number in a crowd before. The slick Sabres prospect said some super fans sported his jersey at Eden Prairie High School in hockey-mad Minnesota.
Still, that pales in comparison to spotting his name and No. 11 on Team USA jerseys in the stands throughout the just-completed World Junior Championship.
Yes, some fans have already invested three figures for a jersey of the University of Minnesota freshman ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander got off to a slow start in Rochester. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – In the AHL, where Alexander Nylander has spent most of the last season and a half, the slick forward is still a youngster adjusting to pro hockey.
But at the World Junior Championship, Nylander, 19, is a veteran. In his third and final tournament, Team Sweden, which will compete for a gold medal tonight, has leaned heavily on the Sabres prospect.
Kyle Okposo believes the Sabres can draw on their Winter Classic experience someday. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald
NEW YORK – For a few days at least, the Winter Classic allowed the last-place Buffalo Sabres to experience the NHL’s grand stage.
Everything about the outdoor game, the league’s signature non-playoff event, is big. The Sabres, seven years removed from their last playoff appearance, haven’t been in the spotlight for a long time.
So the Sabres’ time here, which culminated with Monday afternoon’s 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers before a packed ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart scored his sixth goal this season Monday afternoon. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald
NEW YORK – In his NHL and major junior career, winger Sam Reinhart has scored 166 goals, including 46 with the Buffalo Sabres.
Reinhart’s power-play goal in Monday afternoon’s Winter Classic, his first score in 17 games dating back to Nov. 22, might’ve been the biggest of his career.
Fifty-three seconds into the second period, Reinhart potted a loose puck beside New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist as he fell down, capitalizing after Kyle Okposo ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel has been on a tear. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald
NEW YORK – Jack Eichel offered little explanation for his recent hot streak. The Buffalo Sabres center joked he took some vegetables out of his pregame meal.
Come on, Jack. Something clearly ignited you during the last month.
“I don’t really think I’ve changed too much,” Eichel said Sunday after the Sabres prepared for this afternoon’s Winter Classic against the New York Rangers at Citi Field.... Read the full article
Jason Pominville skates during the first Winter Classic 10 years ago. ©2018, Janet Schultz, Olean Times Herald
NEW YORK – Four years ago, Buffalo Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues was injured when Boston University participated in “Frozen Fenway,” an outdoor game at the historic ballpark.
At first, Rodrigues held out some hope he would return in time. Then the college junior realized he would miss the special tilt.
“At the time, (it was) heartbreaking, because you always want to play in something like this,” Rodrigues said Sunday after the Sabres prepared for this ... Read the full article
Evan Rodrigues missed an outdoor game four years ago. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
NEW YORK – Four years ago, Buffalo Sabres forward Evan Rodrigues was injured when Boston University participated in “Frozen Fenway,” an outdoor game at the historic ballpark.
At first, Rodrigues held out some hope he would return in time. Then the college junior realized he would miss the special tilt.
“At the time, (it was) heartbreaking, because you always want to play in something like this,” Rodrigues said today after the Sabres prepared for Monday’s ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville played in the first Winter Classic. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
NEW YORK – When the NHL announced more than 10 years ago it planned to stage an outdoor game in Buffalo, the novel idea the league named the “Winter Classic” was met with some skepticism, including from one of the Sabres’ marquee names.
“Originally, (I was) probably like, ‘I don’t want to play outside,’” former Sabres defenseman Brian Campbell told the Times Herald by phone Friday.
NHL players are creatures of habit. They don’t ... Read the full article
