WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
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
Casey Mittelstadt had three assists Friday. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
ORCHARD PARK – As the conditions worsened during Friday’s memorable outdoor tilt between Team USA and Team Canada, the stoppages grew longer. Workers hustled to clear the snow rapidly accumulating on the ice surface, filling garbage cans and wheelbarrows and dumping them.
By the third period, the unwieldy mound of snow at the tunnel end of New Era Field looked higher than the end boards.... Read the full article
Jake Oettinger sported a patriotic look Wednesday. ©2017, Olean Times Herald
ORCHARD PARK – Right away, Team’s USA’s Bob Motzko experienced what he called a “wow moment.” Over his 30-year career coaching college and junior hockey, he has never participated in an outdoor game.
So walking out of the New Era Field tunnel Wednesday afternoon and seeing an ice rink in the middle of the 72,000-seat NFL facility, the home of the Buffalo Bills, was “pretty cool,” Motzko said.
“I’ve only seen (outdoor games) on TV,” ... Read the full article
Linu Ullmark has 21 games of NHL experience. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
Two wins and a sterling 1.46 goals-against average helped Rochester Americans goalie Linus Ullmark earn AHL Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, the league announced today.
The Swede stopped 65 of 68 shots (a .956 save percentage) in two starts, beating the Belleville Senators and Laval Rocket.
Clint Malarchuk gives about 30 talks a year. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
Three years after Clint Malarchuk bared his soul in the gritty memoir “A Matter of Inches: How I Survived in the Crease and Beyond,” the book has given the former Buffalo Sabres goalie a new purpose in life.
Malarchuk has become a visible mental health advocate, using his harrowing experiences to help others.
The 30 or so talks he gives to various groups throughout the year detail his battle with the post-traumatic stress disorder he ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel misses an open net against Philadelphia goalie Brian Elliott on Friday. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Phil Housley often talks about the shot mentality he wants the Sabres to possess. To the coach, pumping the puck on net from any angle is usually a good idea.
“It sounds so simple,” Housley said following Friday’s 4-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.
In reality, it’s not simple at all. Players’ instincts often tell them to hold the puck until a strong opportunity materializes.... Read the full article
Josh Gorges represented Team Canada in 2004. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – By 2003-04, Josh Gorges’ last junior season, the Sabres defenseman started developing into an interesting NHL prospect.
After going undrafted in 2002, the San Jose Sharks quickly awarded Gorges an entry-level contract. Buoyed by that confidence, Gorges went on a two-year tear with the Kelowna Rockets, becoming one of the Western Hockey League’s best players.
Still, Gorges, then 19, was hardly a lock to crack Team Canada’s entry at the 2004 World Junior ... Read the full article