WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
November Edition
Steve Ott fights Toronto’s David Clarkson during the second period Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – In a first period reminiscent of the Ron Rolston era, the Buffalo Sabres fell behind 2-0 by the 13:35 mark Saturday and looked overmatched against a hungry Maple Leafs team anxious to end a three-game losing skid.
Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan had a strong message for his new team following the first period.
“Ted came in and told us and said, ‘You guys are garbage,’” Sabres tough guy John Scott said.
The ... Read the full article
Ville Leino has switched back to center. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – His position doesn’t matter, Buffalo Sabres center Ville Leino said. The Finn can play in the middle or on both wings. Leino cares about his ice time and responsibility.
The 30-year-old enjoyed little of either under former coach Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday with general manager Darcy Regier.
Leino has struggled as a third- or fourth-line winger most of this season. Rolston even scratched him recently.
But in Friday’s 3-1 ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – In late September, when Buffalo Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov signed his entry-level contract, former general manager Darcy Regier said junior hockey was the 18-year-old defenseman’s likely destination this season.
Two days later, Zadorov cut his finger during the Sabres’ preseason finale, shelving him for weeks. After he healed, the rebuilding team began playing him.
Now, the Sabres must decide whether to keep him or send him back to the Ontario Hockey League’s London ... Read the full article
Steve Ott buries his second-period goal past Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier on Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It might as well have been opening night again inside the First Niagara Center. Twenty-one games into the season, the Sabres started over Friday, performing like a new, refreshed team in their first game under interim coach Ted Nolan, an exciting 3-1 triumph against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nolan told the Sabres he was wiping the slate clean and didn’t care about their awful start under Ron Rolston, who was fired ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan was a happy coach Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was going to be a special weekend trip to New York. Ted Nolan and his wife, Sandra, would celebrate her birthday and watch their son, Jordan, play for the Los Angeles Kings.
Nolan also wanted to see “The Book of Mormon” musical on Broadway. So he recently called Pat LaFontaine, a close friend with a ticket connection.
“I said, ‘Teddy, you better get ready for the show. It’s a pretty interesting show,’” ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons has spent this season playing wing. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As the Latvian national team’s coach, Ted Nolan had one center on his roster for the 2013 world championship.
“We a hand a bunch of players, but no natural center ice men,” Nolan, the Sabres’ new interim coach, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
So when Sabres rookie Zemgus Girgensons finished his first professional season in Rochester last year, a campaign he spent playing wing, Nolan put the 19-year-old Latvian ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan instructs his players this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It’s been a whirlwind 48 hours for Ted Nolan. Since taking over as the Sabres’ interim coach, the 55-year-old has been trying to learn everything about his new players and team.
Nolan said he hasn’t had time to be nervous for his highly anticipated debut tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs inside the First Niagara Center.
Instead, he’s worrying about his players’ names.
“I’ve been so focused on what I have to ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan will coach the Sabres tonight for the first time since May 11, 1997. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s loud voice boomed throughout the ice during the Sabres’ lively 60-minute practice Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. The interim coach kept encouraging his players, even following them during the up-tempo drills.
The Sabres responded to the fast pace, showcasing much more energy and emotion than they had under Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday in a major shakeup.
Players tapped sticks, hooted and hollered. Most importantly, they seemed to ... Read the full article
John Scott (32) will face Toronto tonight for the first time since a preseason brawl. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ever since Sabres tough guy John Scott ignited a brawl going after Toronto Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel 54 days ago, tonight’s tilt between longtime rivals has been circled on the schedule.
What’s going to happen? Will there be another melee like the Sept. 22 preseason contest? Will there be any kind of retribution?
Based on what both teams said Thursday, don’t expect any craziness to transpire as the home-and-home set begins.
“If ... Read the full article
Many expect Toronto’s Frazer McLaren to challenge John Scott. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tough guy John Scott, who ignited a preseason brawl between the Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 22, said Friday’s tilt between the rivals, the first since the wild melee, is getting “blown out of proportion.”
New interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said he has “nothing to carry over” since he wasn’t there.
The Leafs, losers of two straight, don’t seem intent on exacting revenge during the home-and-home series, either.
“It happened ... Read the full article