WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Martin Biron retired from the NHL on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A year ago, as Martin Biron spent the 113-day NHL lockout at home in East Aurora with his wife, Anne Marie, and four small children, the popular former Sabres goalie began seriously thinking about his post-hockey life.
Biron enjoyed attending all of his children’s activities – cheerleading competitions, football games, school events – something he couldn’t do while tending goal in the NHL.
The family time “made me realize all the things that ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov made his NHL debut Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If you enjoyed watching Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov thump opponents during his NHL debut, get ready to see more of the 18-year-old Russian tonight against the gritty Boston Bruins.
Sabres coach Ron Rolston plans to play the 16th overall pick in June more than the 11:01 he skated in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado.
“Matchup-wise, he’s got size, and he’s physical,” Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He ... Read the full article
Mark Pysyk’s calm style has earned praise from his coach and teammates. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – First, as Mark Pysyk was sitting in his stall talking to a reporter Tuesday, Zemgus Girgensons approached the defenseman, extended his hand and smacked his roommate across the cheek.
“What’s that about?” Pysyk said as Girgensons scurried off.
Girgensons, the likable Pysyk said, was “going to get it bad.”
“He might get a tape ball,” he said.
Moments later, a laughing Nikita Zadorov approached Pysyk and slapped him again.
Three Sabres rookies. Two ... Read the full article
Toronto star Joffrey Lupul skates Monday morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Think about it, Buffalo Sabres fans, a couple of years ago, your team switched identities with the hated, mega-market Maple Leafs.
As the small-market Sabres morphed into a free-spending, win-at-all-costs club under new owner Terry Pegula, the Leafs began embracing development and patience, the Sabres’ old and successful philosophies.
The Leafs’ major volte-face has quickly paid off. They finished fifth this season, their highest spot since 2003-04.
Inside a noisy Air Canada Centre ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek (26) and some teammates wanted to salute Boston fans. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres first talked about a postgame salute beside the Boston Bruins for fans inside the TD Garden prior to Wednesday’s emotional game, the city’s first major sporting event since the Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and injured 180 on Monday.
Sabres assistant captains Steve Ott, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek spoke with trainer Tim Macre and equipment manager Rip Simonick about a special tribute for the more than 17,000 spectators in ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek talked to Boston captain Zdeno Chara about saluting the crowd. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – The Buffalo Sabres first talked about a postgame salute beside the Boston Bruins for fans inside the TD Garden prior to Wednesday’s emotional game, the first major sporting event in the city since Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and injured 180.
Sabres assistant captains Steve Ott, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek spoke with trainer Tim Macre and equipment manager Rip Simonick about a special tribute for the more than 17,000 fans ... Read the full article
Some key goals from Kevin Porter (12) have helped the Sabres recently. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
It’s still a long shot, Sabres fans. But Wednesday’s dramatic 3-2 shootout win in Boston moved the 10th-place club to within two points of the eighth-place New York Rangers for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
Conveniently, the Rangers come to Buffalo on Friday for a must-see showdown.
Show of hands … who thought the Sabres would still be in the postseason picture a week after their wretched 5-1 home loss to ... Read the full article
Nathan Gerbe played three seasons at Boston College. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel hadn’t signed his first NHL contract last week, then the rookie would’ve been watching the Boston Marathon up close on Monday, celebrating Patriots’ Day with friends like he had while attending UMass Lowell.
Ruhwedel knows Boston well and enjoys the city. So does Sabres winger Nathan Gerbe, who spent three years at Boston College.
Naturally, Monday’s terrorist bomb attacks that killed three people near the marathon finish ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko (25) returned to the Sabres on Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the time being at least, 18-year-old rookie Mikhail Grigorenko is back with the Sabres following a one-month stint in junior.
The Russian center practiced Tuesday inside the First Niagara Center and traveled with the team to Boston for tonight’s tilt against the Bruins. But Grigorenko will likely be scratched.
Rather than sending Grigorenko to AHL Rochester, where he’s now eligible to play with the Quebec Remparts’ season having ended last week, ... Read the full article
Chad Ruhwedel would’ve been watching the Boston Marathon if he hadn’t left school. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If Chad Ruhwedel hadn’t signed his first NHL contract last week, then the Sabres rookie would’ve been watching the Boston Marathon, celebrating Patriots’ Day with friends like he had while attending UMass Lowell.
Monday’s bomb blasts near the finish line that killed three people and injured 180 have shaken Ruhwedel. He had friends in the area enjoying the day. His sister was just landing in Boston. Everyone was OK.
“If I didn’t have ... Read the full article