WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Ryan Miller has only played one game as a visitor in Buffalo. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ryan Miller’s decision to sign with the Anaheim Ducks centered, in part, on his desire to be closer to his family.
The former Sabres goalie and his wife, Noureen DeWulf, an actress, have lived in the Los Angeles area with their 3-year-old son, Bodhi, for years. Naturally, coming home has eased some of the pressures that accompany the hectic NHL life.
Still, the Ducks often go on long road trips. They’ll finish a ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville has scored nine goals this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For a few weeks earlier this season, Sabres winger Jason Pominville seemed to be defying age. The likable veteran, 35, roared out of the gate, scoring two goals opening night. He followed up with another two-score outing days later.
By the 12-game mark, Pominville had compiled six goals and 12 points. The production increase made sense.
On a loaded Minnesota Wild team a year ago, Pominville scored all 13 of his goals ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart fights for position in front of St. Louis goalie Carter Hutton and Jay Bouwmeester on Saturday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It’s actually one of the few notable categories the Sabres don’t rank last or near the bottom of the NHL. Through 52 games they’re 21st in shots, averaging 30.9.
Of course, that hasn’t translated into much. They’ve won only 14 games and have scored the fewest goals overall (117) and five-on-five (71).
If the Sabres, fresh off Saturday’s 1-0 loss to St. Louis, want to start scoring, they must pump more pucks on ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner makes a second-period stop on St. Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko on Saturday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Progress is measured differently for the 2017-18 edition of the Buffalo Sabres, the NHL’s second-worst team.
On Saturday, they lost again, falling 1-0 to the St. Louis Blues before 18,777 fans. After winning three straight road games, they’ve dropped three consecutive home contests, falling to stunning 6-15-3 at KeyBank Center.
Overall, the Sabres are a wretched 14-29-9.
... Read the full article
Casey Nelson has played eight straight games. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Call Casey Nelson the forgotten Sabres defenseman. As injuries ravaged the blue line earlier this season, he stayed in Rochester, playing big minutes as the Americans got off to their best start in years.
The Sabres recalled Nelson in mid-November. But he only sat out as a healthy scratch before going back to the AHL later in the month.... Read the full article
Casey Nelson has quietly become a regular. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Call Casey Nelson the forgotten Sabres defenseman. As injuries ravaged the blue line earlier this season, he stayed in Rochester, playing big minutes as the Americans got off to their best start in years.
The Sabres recalled Nelson in mid-November. But he only sat out as a healthy scratch before going back to the AHL later in the month.... Read the full article
Johan Larsson (22) and Minnesota’s Matt Dumba collide Nov. 22. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Having never been suspended in his 229-game career, Sabres center Johan Larsson figured the NHL would slap him with a one-game ban for cross-checking Florida Panthers center Vincent Trocheck in the face late in Thursday’s 4-2 loss.
“I have no history, I’m kind of surprised I got two games,” Larsson said this morning inside KeyBank Center. “The guy didn’t get hurt or anything.”
During Friday’s phone hearing, Larsson argued he tried to ... Read the full article
Benoit Pouliot has scored nine goals this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Late last month, Benoit Pouliot tried something new. After 12 NHL seasons and nearly 600 games played, the struggling Sabres winger removed the visor from his helmet.
“A spur-of-the-moment type of (thing),” Pouliot explained Friday. “I wanted to change some things, so I just took the visor off.”
Will shedding some plastic really help Pouliot? Probably not. But right now, the veteran is trying to break out of a funk.
Johan Larsson had never been suspended before. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL has suspended Sabres center Johan Larsson two games for cross-checking center Vincent Trocheck in the face late in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Larsson will miss two home contests: Saturday’s against the St. Louis Blues and Tuesday’s against the Anaheim Ducks.
NHL Player Safety conducted a hearing with Larsson today and announced the decision late this afternoon.
... Read the full article
Johan Larsson (22) battles Boston’s Kevan Miller on Dec. 19. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres center Johan Larsson, who earned a match penalty for cross-checking Florida Panthers center Vincent Trocheck in the side of the jaw late in Thursday’s 4-2 loss, has a hearing with NHL Player Safety today.
Update: Larsson has been suspended two games.
An automatic one-game suspension accompanies a match penalty, although the league can rescind it.
Larsson declined comment through a team spokesman today. Following the game, Larsson said he “pushed ... Read the full article
