Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Sabres prospect Jake Richard excelling in first weeks with Rochester Amerks

ROCHESTER – The first goal of Buffalo Sabres prospect Jake Richard’s pro career created some confusion.

At first, Richard figured the goal would be credited to the shooter, Americans defenseman Gavin McCarthy, his close friend and a fellow rookie. But teammates told Richard the goal belonged to him.

When he watched a replay, Richard, 22, realized the puck hit him as he battled one of the Toronto Marlies for positioning in front of the net.... Read the full article

Sabres implode late, waste strong effort from Colten Ellis in loss to Senators

BUFFALO – Well, at least the Sabres didn’t chase Wednesday’s contest until late. But make no mistake, like so many of their home games this season, they could’ve easily fallen behind early to the Ottawa Senators.

The Senators generated a point-blank scoring opportunity 11 seconds into the game. Barely 90 seconds in, goalie Colten Ellis bailed the Sabres out again, using his right pad to stymie Michael Amadio’s backdoor chance from the bottom of the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Carrick took ‘scenic route’ to 400 NHL games, still feeling injury suffered in fight

BUFFALO – Sabres forward Sam Carrick joked that he took the scenic route to reaching the 400-game milestone in the NHL.

Carrick, 34, began his pro career 14 years ago in Boise, Idaho, playing 50 games for the ECHL’s Steelheads before graduating to the AHL, where he spent most of the next eight seasons.

While he occasionally earned recalls to the big leagues – he amassed 47 appearances in his first nine seasons – he ... Read the full article

Colten Ellis expected to start as Sabres begin goalie rotation; Jiri Kulich, Conor Timmins available to play

BUFFALO – In the opening month of the season, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff utilized the hot hand in net. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen started five straight games. Colten Ellis twice earned two consecutive nods.

But with tonight’s contest against the Ottawa Senators kicking off a stretch of six games in 11 days, Ruff said he plans to start rotating his goalies.

Ellis, who earned two road wins last week, is expected to play tonight.... Read the full article

After position change, Sabres star Tage Thompson heats up, eyes 50-goal mark: ‘You can see he’s dominant’

BUFFALO – It can be argued no NHL player has performed more dynamically over the past week than Tage Thompson, who scored five goals and eight points and buoyed the Sabres’ three-game win streak.

During that short stretch, Thompson has produced more than Connor McDavid, the superstar on pace for just the fifth 200-point season in NHL history and the first by a player not named Wayne Gretzky.

Of course, Thompson, 29, almost certainly ... Read the full article

Injury updates on Sabres’ Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich and Conor Timmins

BUFFALO – Winger Zach Benson practiced this morning and will be available to play when the Sabres begin their four-game home stand Wednesday against the Ottawa Senators, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Went well for Benson,” Ruff said following the session in KeyBank Center.

Benson, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Saturday afternoon’s 3-2 road win against the Los Angeles Kings, missed Monday’s practice. He skated on his own before today’s session.... Read the full article

Injury news on Sabres’ Alex Lyon, Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich and Conor Timmins

BUFFALO – Hey, considering the adversity they battled, the Sabres enjoyed a pretty solid opening month.

Was it up the lofty standard they set last season? Hardly. But a team that kept falling behind multiple goals seemingly each night and had 11 players miss time with injuries finished October with a 7-4-3 record and has points in eight of its last nine games.

Last week, the Sabres finally found a groove, closing their four-game road ... Read the full article

Sabres unveil ‘Hometown Remix’ jersey that honors Buffalo

The design elements in the Sabres’ blue “Hometown Remix” jersey the NHL unveiled today honor Buffalo’s history as “The City of Light.”

In addition to the classic “Goathead” crest, the jersey features the ‘B’ shoulder logo used on past uniforms with an electrified sabre going through it.

Debossed lightning bolts and stars with metallic gold stripes accentuate the sleeves. The custom numbers are also inspired by the Buffalo’s electric history.... Read the full article

Sabres assign defenseman to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres today sent defenseman Dennis Gilbert back to the Rochester Americans.

The Buffalo native played five games during his recall, compiling one goal, two points and six penalty minutes.

He played four contests with the Amerks earlier this season, registering zero points and six penalty minutes.... Read the full article

Torrid start for Rochester Amerks could help Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar earn another recall to Sabres

ROCHESTER – For one night, Trevor Kuntar struggled. Forget that the ultra-competitive Americans winger recorded a couple of points. He lost battles and looked off his game.

Normally, the Williamsville native is the guy dragging his teammates into the fray alongside him.

So following last Wednesday’s 5-3 home loss to the Utica Comets, coach Mike Leone told Kuntar he needed to raise his standard.... Read the full article