Bryson - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall forward from Rochester

TORONTO – The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon recalled forward Josh Dunne from the Rochester Americans prior to their game against the Maple Leafs.

Dunne, 25, began the season with the Sabres, going pointless in two games. After being assigned to AHL earlier this week, he registered one goal in two contests.

Buffalo needed another forward because Tyson Kozak suffered a lower-body injury in Friday’s 5-3 home win over the Maple Leafs. Kozak, 22, played just ... Read the full article

Following trade, injury, Sabres’ Michael Kesselring excited to be healthy

BUFFALO – Having joined the Sabres as a key piece in an offseason trade, defenseman Michael Kesselring wasn’t about to let an injury derail his first training camp here.

Besides, Kesselring, 25, figured he was only battling a minor ailment.

“I didn’t think it was bad as it got to,” he said this morning after skating with his teammates for the first time since Oct. 1. “I didn’t think it was going to get that ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jiri Kulich knew he had to change; Buffalo makes roster move

BUFFALO – When Sabres center Jiri Kulich had the puck on his stick earlier this season, instead of carrying it and utilizing his speed, he quickly tried to make a play with it.

“It wasn’t my game I used to play, so I had to change something,” Kulich told the Times Herald prior to Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings in KeyBank Center.

Kulich, 21, struggled so badly Sabres coach Lindy Ruff briefly demoted ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Colten Ellis to make first start; Buffalo to make lineup change after roster move

BUFFALO – Sixteen days and six games since the Sabres claimed Colten Ellis on waivers, the goalie will be starting his first NHL game tonight against the Detroit Red Wings.

“There’s been a lot of emotions the last couple days since finding out,” Ellis said this morning in KeyBank Center. “Something I worked my whole life for, and just super grateful and happy for the opportunity.”

So far, Ellis, 25, has backed up veteran ... Read the full article

Sabres recall two players from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres on Sunday recalled defenseman Zac Jones and center Noah Ostlund from the Rochester Americans.

In Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win, defenseman Jacob Bryson entered concussion protocol after Florida Panthers winger Jonah Gadjovich hit him into the boards in the first period, knocking him out of the game.

The Sabres, who play a road game tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, did not practice Sunday. They had one extra forward, Josh Dunne, scratched against ... Read the full article

Zach Metsa realizes unlikely NHL dream with recall to Sabres: ‘I was shocked’

BUFFALO – Zach Metsa beat incredibly long odds to reach the Sabres and fulfill his unlikely dream. After all, he’s an undrafted 5-foot-9 defenseman who spent his first two pro seasons playing on an AHL contract.

Two and a half years ago, less than a week after winning a national championship with Quinnipiac University, he signed that deal and joined the Rochester Americans on a tryout before it kicked in.

Today, Metsa, having been recalled ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ryan McLeod, other forwards struggling early; Alexandar Georgiev practices with Rochester

BUFFALO – Jiri Kulich, the Sabres’ second-youngest forward, got singled out a bit by practicing as an extra before Wednesday’s game against the Ottawa Senators.

But make no mistake, nearly every Sabres forward struggled during their dreary 0-3-0 start they carried into their contest against the Ottawa Senators.

“This isn’t about Kulich,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres began the night with just two goals all season, said Wednesday morning in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colten Ellis standing out in Buffalo, will get chance to play

BUFFALO – By his second season toiling away in the ECHL, Sabres goalie Colten Ellis said hockey began to feel like a job.

Ellis, 25, spent most his rookie year stopping pucks in Worcester, Massachusetts, before the St. Louis Blues assigned him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his second season.

Almost two years into his career, he had played just six games for the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

He said he forgot to enjoy ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Alex Lyon focused ahead of first start subbing for injured UPL

BUFFALO – Having spent at least a portion of the last eight seasons in the NHL, the novelty of career firsts has worn off for Sabres goalie Alex Lyon.

Tonight, Lyon, 32, is expected to make his first opening-night start. Don’t get him wrong, he’s looking forward to facing the New York Rangers in KeyBank Center. But he’s trying to maintain his focus as the Sabres begin their grueling six-month, 82-game schedule.

“Honestly, I ... Read the full article

Injuries sideline Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Michael Kesselring

BUFFALO – Injuries will likely keep Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and defenseman Michael Kesselring from playing in Thursday’s season opener against the New York Rangers.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Luukkonen and Kesselring, both of whom left Wednesday’s 5-3 preseason loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, are “kind of week to week.”

“It’s going to be more than day to day,” Ruff said following today’s pregame skate in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article