Marcus Foligno scored in three straight games last week. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno scoring goals, feels career surging

BUFFALO – After scoring a goal in three consecutive wins recently, his hottest stretch since he burst into the NHL almost three years ago, Sabres center Marcus Foligno believes he has finally turned a corner in what has often been an enigmatic career.

“Yeah, I do,” Foligno said Thursday following practice inside HarborCenter. “I feel a lot better in myself and the way I’ve been playing, the way I’ve been seeing the ice, and just ... Read the full article

Canisius College players skate at HarborCenter recently. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Team impressed with HarborCenter

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing at the First Niagara Center and busing to the Riverside Ice Rink or another local facility Thursday, the Sabres simply put on their sandals or sneakers and walked across the street in their uniforms to HarborCenter, the new $170 million facility that opened earlier this fall.

Practicing outside the First Niagara Center is no longer a hassle. Naturally, the Sabres’ first session inside the sparkling facility had a huge “wow” ... Read the full article

HarborCenter impressed Drew Stafford. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres wowed by HarborCenter; Josh Gorges ready to return

BUFFALO – Instead of dressing at the First Niagara Center and busing to the Riverside Ice Rink or another local facility today, the Sabres simply put on their sandals or sneakers and walked across the street to HarborCenter, the new $170 million facility that opened earlier this fall.

Practicing outside the First Niagara Center is no longer a hassle. Naturally, the Sabres’ first session inside the sparkling facility had a huge “wow” factor.

“It’s beautiful,” ... Read the full article

Mikhail Grigorenko played one game during his recall. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres send Mikhail Grigorenko back to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent center Mikhail Grigorenko back to the Rochester Americans today.

The 20-year-old Russian was pointless in 16 minutes, 42 seconds of ice time in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, his first NHL game since Nov. 27, 2013.

Grigorenko, the No. 12 pick in 2012, has seven goals and 19 points in 27 AHL games this season. The Amerks host the Syracuse Crunch tonight.

The Sabres don’t play until Saturday, ... Read the full article

Luke Adam scored 15 goals in 86 games with the Sabres. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Change of scenery: Sabres trade Luke Adam to Blue Jackets for Jerry D’Amigo

BUFFALO – As a rookie three years ago, Luke Adam was a top prospect and budding star for the Sabres. The forward quickly became a Calder Trophy candidate, scoring three goals and six points in his first four games.

Adam, who often centered stars Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek, scored his 10th goal and 20th point in his 32nd game in 2011-12.

He never recorded another point that season.

By early that ... Read the full article

Jerry D’Amigo scored one NHL goal with Toronto. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres acquire Jerry D’Amigo from Blue Jackets for Luke Adam

BUFFALO – In a trade of AHL forwards, the Sabres today acquired Jerry D’Amigo from the Columbus Blue Jackets for Luke Adam.

D’Amigo has been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

“We feel that this was a good deal that gave both teams a player they were looking for,” Sabres general manager Tim Murray said in a statement. “Jerry brings a tremendous work ethic to our organization and we know he’ll have an immediate impact ... Read the full article

Matt Moulson beats Ottawa goalie Robin Lehner for the shootout winner Monday. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres rally again, beat Senators in shootout

BUFFALO – Monday’s exciting 5-4 come-from-behind shootout victory against the Ottawa Senators extended the Sabres’ winning streak to four games. That’s 10 triumphs in their last 13 games. The surging team has rallied from third-period deficits in five of its last six wins.

In one month, the Sabres have morphed from a hapless team destined to finish last again into a legitimate playoff contender.

“We got something special going,” said Sabres center Marcus Foligno, who ... Read the full article

Tyler Ennis is the Sabres’ leading scorer. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres notes: Tyler Ennis starting to earn national attention

BUFFALO – Around this city and the Sabres, speedy Tyler Ennis is a star, the most dynamic offensive threat on a low-scoring team. Around the NHL, however, the winger is still a bit of an unknown.

Ennis’ name mostly pops up national circles when he scores a highlight-reel goal.

That could be starting to change.

One goal and five points during the three straight home wins just earned Ennis the NHL’s first star for the ... Read the full article

Andrew Peters is now a radio analyst. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Flashback: The time Jarkko Ruutu bit Sabres tough guy Andrew Peters

Jarkko Ruutu has retired from his European team, according to Eliteprospects.com, meaning one of the greatest NHL pests of the last 15 or so years is finished. The 39-year-old Finn left the NHL almost four years ago after 652 games and an indelible mark as a supreme agitator.

When Ruutu played for the Ottawa Senators, the Sabres’ opponent tonight, he bit tough guy Andrew Peters’ thumb on Jan. 6, 2009. Yes, bit him.... Read the full article

Tyler Ennis had five points last week. ©2014, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald

Sabres’ Tyler Ennis named NHL’s first star of week

BUFFALO – Slick winger Tyler Ennis, who had one goal and five points during the Sabres’ three-game home winning streak, has been named the NHL’s first star for the week ending Dec. 14.

Ennis, who has eight goals and a team-high 21 points, enjoyed one of the best weeks of his six-year career.

The 25-year-old scored the only goal in Tuesday’s win 1-0 against Los Angeles, had three assists in Thursday’s 4-3 win against ... Read the full article