Bill Hoppe - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Ennis fine with move from center back to wing

BUFFALO – Make no mistake, Tyler Ennis enjoys being a left winger. The slick youngster skated there for parts of three seasons, including his entire 20-goal rookie campaign. If the Sabres possessed more scoring depth down the middle, then Ennis might’ve never switched to center.

Changing positions ignited the speedy Ennis late last season. With more room to maneuver, the 23-year-old racked up eight goals and 19 points over a rollicking 12-game stretch, ending ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Enroth grounds Lightning in second consecutive start

BUFFALO – This two-day stretch hardly mirrored the last time Sabres backup goalie Jhonas Enroth earned consecutive starts for a healthy Ryan Miller.

Back in November 2011, Enroth sported an eight-game winning streak as Miller was beginning a wretched three-month slump. The Swede’s second nod ignited a goaltending controversy.

These days, Miller’s entrenched as the No. 1 goalie. Enroth, meanwhile, recently regained the dynamic form he showcased early during his rookie season.

If the ... Read the full article

Kevin Porter establishing himself as one of Sabres’ top forwards

BUFFALO – Ten years ago, Ron Rolston wanted Kevin Porter to come play at Boston College. The interim Sabres coach, then an NCAA assistant, recruited the teenage hockey star, even talked to his father a little bit.

Ultimately, Porter stayed in his home state, becoming a collegiate legend at Michigan. Rolston, meanwhile, took over Team USA’s development program shortly after Porter left.

Their paths crossed again in July.

Porter’s career had hit a rut after ... Read the full article

Rolston mum on Sabres’ starting goalie

BUFFALO – So, Ron Rolston, fresh off his 29-save shutout in Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers, will backup goalie Jhonas Enroth start again today?

“I don’t know,” the Sabres’ interim coach replied this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll see.”

Rolston knows which netminder’s starting against the Tampa Bay Lightning, right? He’s just not telling.

“Exactly,” he said with a grin.

Enroth, who hurt his neck late Saturday, is fine, Rolston said. ... Read the full article

Enroth and some luck push Sabres past Flyers

BUFFALO – Sure, the Sabres needed some good fortune to down the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. Christian Ehrhoff’s pass off the end boards created the game’s only goal. Daniel Briere hit the crossbar behind Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth with just a single tick left in the game.

Still, they deserved their 17^th win this season and first in three games. The Sabres, so vile during Thursday’s 5-1 home loss to Montreal, ... Read the full article

NHL debut caps whirlwind 24 hours for Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel

BUFFALO – On Friday night, a day after UMass Lowell lost to Yale in the NCAA Frozen Four semifinal, Chad Ruhwedel checked his phone on the tarmac when the River Hawks’ flight from Pittsburgh landed in Boston.

“It says, ‘Call me immediately’ from my advisor, my mom, too,” the 22-year-old first team All-American defenseman said Saturday after making his NHL debut in the Sabres’ 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

The undrafted Ruhwedel knew his ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Chad Ruhwedel to make NHL debut hours after signing contract

BUFFALO – What does interim coach Ron Rolston know about defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, the free agent from UMass Lowell the Sabres signed to a two-year, entry-level contract today?

“Not much,” Rolston said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Rolston will know a whole lot about Ruhwedel by about 5:30 p.m. The 22-year-old, who finished his three-year NCAA career earlier this week, will made his NHL debut against the Philadelphia Flyers this afternoon.

Ruhwedel ... Read the full article

Sabres down to five defensemen after Tyler Myers’ season-ending leg injury

BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers absorbed P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point with his leg.

After blocking the lethal shot, Myers hobbled off seconds later when the Canadiens converted their five-on-three power play.

The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.

Following the contest, Myers found ... Read the full article

Tyler Myers’ season-ending leg injury leaves Sabres’ defense depleted

BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers laid out on the ice, blocking P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point.

Myers got up and hobbled off seconds later after the Canadiens scored on the five-on-three power play.

The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.

Following the game, Myers ... Read the full article

Broken bone in leg ends Myers’ season

BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers broke a bone in his leg during Thursday’s 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens and is out for the season, the team announced this afternoon.

Myers struggled throughout much of this season, even getting scratched twice. The 23-year-old had three goals, eight points and a minus-8 rating in 39 games.

Stay tuned for more details.... Read the full article