WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Draft Week Edition
Steve Ott has missed the playoffs five straight seasons. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – What’s left for the Sabres now? Three meaningless games, that’s it. With their slim playoff chances smothered Friday, starting with tonight’s home contest against the Winnipeg Jets, the Sabres are skating for pride and hoping to play a spoiler role.
As senior advisor Ken Sawyer, owner Terry Pegula’s close confidant, watched closely from the stands, a rarity, the Sabres practiced quietly Sunday for the first time since an ugly 8-4 loss to the ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko has played 22 NHL games. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko has been playing real hockey games since August. Counting NHL, junior and Team Russia appearances, the 18-year-old Sabres rookie estimates he has skated in 85 contests this season.
Grigorenko insists he’s in “real good shape,” though. Under normal circumstances, a nine-month season would be trying.
“But I always changed places,” Grigorenko, who’s in his second stint with the Sabres, said Sunday after preparing for tonight’s contest against the Winnipeg Jets in ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller skates off the ice Friday, perhaps for the final time with the Sabres, as teammate Thomas Vanek (26) bangs his stick on the boards. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Seriously, in the wake of Friday’s debacle, can the Sabres ever play Ryan Miller before the home crowd again? How ugly could it become inside the First Niagara Center?
With only three games left this season, the goalie’s 10-year career here looks finished. The Sabres’ embarrassing 8-4 loss to the New York Rangers sure felt like Miller’s 498th and final appearance.
The fans’ love-hate relationship with Miller likely reached its breaking ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko should play Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko has been playing real hockey games since August. Counting NHL, junior and Team Russia appearances, the 18-year-old Sabres rookie estimates he has skated in 85 contests this season.
Grigorenko insists he’s in “real good shape,” though. Under normal circumstances, a nine-month season would be trying.
“But I always changed places,” Grigorenko, who’s in his second stint with the Sabres, said this morning after practicing inside the First Niagara Center. “All the ... Read the full article
Steve Ott would love to spoil Winnipeg’s playoff hopes. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With senior advisor Ken Sawyer watching from the stands, a rarity, the Sabres practiced quietly this morning for the first time since Friday’s ugly 8-4 loss to the New York Rangers eliminated them from playoff contention.
Normally, their shootout drills are filled with cheering and hollering as they close sessions. Today, however, almost no one uttered a word.
Three games remain, starting with Monday’s home tilt against the ninth-place Winnipeg Jets, who ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller endured a tough night Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Two goals in 57 seconds. The New York Rangers couldn’t score another before the first period ended Friday, right?
The Sabres would buckle down facing elimination. Besides, the Rangers scored on fluky deflections.
Still, the crowd of 19,003 fans inside the First Niagara Center needed to vent.
So the surly spectators gave goalie Ryan Miller a Bronx cheer after he stopped a dump-in as the final seconds ticked down. Miller then nearly whiffed ... Read the full article
Brandon Sutter (16) and Christian Ehrhoff could battle again Tuesday in Pittsburgh. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL tentatively postponed Friday’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins until this afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh tonight has been pushed back to Tuesday.
The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the changes.
It will be determined by 8:30 this morning if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.
The NHL contacted the Sabres early Friday afternoon about potentially moving the game, ... Read the full article
Marc-Andre Fleury and his Pittsburgh teammates will try to play in Boston on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tonight’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins has been tentatively postponed until Saturday afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh that night has been pushed back to Tuesday.
The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the postponement.
The NHL will announce by 8:30 a.m. Saturday if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.
The Sabres are still scheduled to host the New York Rangers tonight ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If you haven’t noticed, the Sabres received no help Thursday night. The eighth-place New York Rangers, tonight’s opponent, throttled hapless Florida. Ninth-place Winnipeg beat Carolina in overtime.
With 48 points, both clubs lead the 10th-place Sabres by four. A regulation loss tonight eliminates them from postseason contention.
“We just got to win out,” Sabres winger John Scott said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “We got to do what we ... Read the full article
Steve Ott knows the Sabres need help to make the playoffs. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres have shattered the widespread belief they would finish a lost season meekly and perhaps contend for a lottery pick instead of making an unlikely run at the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
In dealing captain Jason Pominville and two other respected veterans for draft picks and prospects prior to the April 3 trade deadline, general manager Darcy Regier openly talked about the future and shifting the focus to next season.
The ... Read the full article