Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Matt Ellis scores Amerks’ shootout winner in ‘Frozen Frontier,’ earns recall to Sabres

ROCHESTER – From a skill perspective, Chadd Cassidy had better options six rounds into Friday’s wild shootout. But the Americans coach wanted Matt Ellis, his trusted captain, to try to win the “Frozen Frontier,” an outdoor game played in 18-degree temperatures.

“With the game on the line, I want it on his tape because good things happen to good people,” Cassidy said. “There’s nobody that’s worked harder for the opportunities that he’s gotten than ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Matt Ellis from Amerks

ROCHESTER – Matt Ellis certainly earned this recall to the Buffalo Sabres.

Shortly after scoring the shootout winner in the Americans’ 5-4 triumph against the Lake Erie Monsters in Friday’s outdoor “Frozen Frontier,” the Sabres summoned their AHL captain, the Times Herald has learned.

Ellis also opened the scoring and added an assist. He hasn’t played in the NHL since the Sabres waived him in February.

The 32-year-old has played 197 games with the Sabres. ... Read the full article

Sabres confident offense improving, finally going to start scoring

BUFFALO – In Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Ottawa, Sabres winger Drew Stafford generated three strong scoring chances and a season-high six shots, yet endured his 15^th consecutive goalless game.

The 28-year-old missed the net on a glorious opportunity against a stickless goalie, drew a penalty after zooming to the crease and got stymied on a late breakaway by Craig Anderson with the Sabres down a goal.

No one embodies the Sabres’ scoring struggles more ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson questionable for Flames; Alexander Sulzer nearing return

BUFFALO – Not much to report from Sabreland this afternoon following practice.

Center Cody Hodgson (lower body) missed today’s session and is a “possibility” for Saturday’s afternoon tilt against the Calgary Flames. Hodgson missed Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Ottawa.

“Cody’s still a little sore,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said inside the First Niagara Center. “He tried to practice today and didn’t feel very well. So one more day. It’s a day-to-dayer. So maybe he’ll ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Cody Hodgson out tonight against Senators

Buffalo Sabres leading scorer Cody Hodgson (lower body) will miss tonight’s game in Ottawa against the Senators, according to multiple reports.

Center Ville Leino, a healthy scratch last game, will return.

Hodgson has been the Sabres’ best offensive threat this season, compiling eight goals and 18 points in 31 games. Center Tyler Ennis, the No. 2 scorer, has six goals and 12 points.

The Sabres have only 49 goals this year.

Hodgson, the ... Read the full article

Jared Cowen suspended 2 games for hit on Sabres’ Zemgus Girgensons

BUFFALO – The NHL has suspended Ottawa Senators defenseman Jared Cowen two games for an illegal check to Zemgus Girgensons’ head late in the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout win Tuesday.

In a video explaining the ban, NHL disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan noted that while Cowen had tucked in his elbow, he drove his left shoulder into Girgensons’ head, the main point of contact, as the winger entered the Ottawa zone. Girgensons made no sudden movements, Shanahan ... Read the full article

Sabres overcome blown call, adversity to beat Senators in shootout

BUFFALO – The best part of the Sabres’ 2-1 shootout win, interim coach Ted Nolan said, came 15:30 into the second period, when officials disallowed what appeared to be his team’s go-ahead goal.

Wait, what? Why would Nolan say that?

The Sabres have crumbled under adversity all season. But on Tuesday, after a delayed penalty possession whistle wiped out Jamie McBain’s score, they kept fighting against the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center.

“It ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan benches Ville Leino for Sabres’ win against Senators

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he isn’t down on or losing patience with Sabres center Ville Leino.

So why did the interim coach scratch the Finn, who has zero goals this season, for Tuesday’s 2-1 shootout win against the Ottawa Senators inside the First Niagara Center?

“Certain players with a certain skill set, they have to bring it,” Nolan said prior to the game. “And if you’re not going to play as well as ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan starting to see which Sabres give best efforts

BUFFALO – In the last week or so, Ted Nolan has noticed a shift among the struggling Sabres.

“The good guys are starting to rise a little bit, and the guys who are not putting that effort in game in, game out, they’re starting to stick out a bit, too,” the interim coach said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “So one thing you do with the team is you kind of hold them ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ville Leino to sit tonight, not sure what Ted Nolan wants from him

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he isn’t down on or losing patience with Sabres center Ville Leino.

So why is the interim coach scratching the Finn, who has zero goals this season, tonight against the Ottawa Senators?

“Certain players with a certain skill set, they have to bring it,” Nolan said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “And if you’re not going to play as well as you can, sometimes it’s better to ... Read the full article