Comrie - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres illustrate growth by annihilating Golden Knights: ‘A mature response’

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, if the Sabres had blown a two-goal lead in a matter of minutes like they did Saturday, they likely would’ve lost.

So their 7-2 dismantling of the Vegas Golden Knights before a noisy crowd of 16,693 fans in KeyBank Center represents growth.

Coach Don Granato has recently been saying the Sabres have matured and become better equipped to handle adversity. Saturday’s triumph over the defending Stanley Cup champion and ... Read the full article

Sabres recall goalie from Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres this morning recalled veteran goalie Dustin Tokarski from the Rochester Americans to give them some insurance in net.

Granato said the Sabres have been dealing with illness. They did not practice Wednesday as a precaution.

“With how certain guys felt, we needed to make sure we were covered for this morning in the event more flared up,” Granato told reporters in St. Petersburg.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is expected to start tonight’s road game ... Read the full article

Sabres can’t put Ducks away in awful loss: ‘Gave them free chances’

BUFFALO – Almost halfway through Monday afternoon’s embarrassing 4-3 loss, the Sabres had the Anaheim Ducks on the ropes.

At that point, the Sabres had dominated the Ducks, outshooting them by about 20 as they generated a slew of prime scoring chances, including some breakaways.

Fourteen seconds after center Tage Thompson’s power-play goal put the Sabres’ up 2-1, the Ducks took another penalty.... Read the full article

Buffalo goalie Eric Comrie tries to stop Florida’s Evan Rodrigues on Thursday.

Sabres generate offense again, still lose to Panthers; Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could return from injury soon

BUFFALO – Remember that recent seven-goal outburst by the Sabres? As suspected, it turned out to be an anomaly.

On Thursday, they reverted back to their regular form, generating plenty of offense but showcasing a stunning lack of finish in their 4-0 loss to the heavyweight Florida Panthers before a crowd of 14,277 fans in KeyBank Center.

Fresh off Tuesday’s 7-0 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings, the Sabres pumped 45 shots on Anthony Stolarz, ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen out with injury; Sabres recall goalie

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will miss tonight’s game against the Florida Panthers with a lower-body injury and is day to day, the team announced late this afternoon.

Luukkonen, 24, participated in this morning’s pregame skate and did not appear to be injured. He has started four straight games and 10 of the last 11.

The Finn has been one of the NHL’s hottest goalies, compiling a 7-5-0 record with a 1.60 goals-against average ... Read the full article

After recall, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie confident, happy in backup role

BUFFALO – During his four-game stint in the minors, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie decided to let go of everything.

Good game? Great, now get ready for the next one. Bad outing? Put it away and move on.

Before the Sabres waived him Dec. 31 and assigned him to the Rochester Americans, he said he would “try to force it” during his sporadic action serving as the backup or No. 3 goalie.

In the AHL, Comrie’s ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen playing at elite level, could be Sabres’ long-coveted franchise goalie

BUFFALO – Think about it, when was the last time the Sabres had a true No. 1 goalie? Not a guy playing well and earning most of the action, but a top-flight NHL starter who could be entrenched in the crease for years.

Linus Ullmark might’ve become that guy if he had re-signed here. Robin Lehner enjoyed some success but battled personal issues. Others have seen their performance – remember how well Jonas Enroth and ... Read the full article

Goalie Devon Levi focused in Rochester, not worried about recall by Sabres

ROCHESTER – One start down, at least one to go for goalie Devon Levi. After making 16 saves in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss, the rookie is scheduled to play one of the Americans’ two weekend road games before the AHL breaks for its All-Star Classic.

Now, will Levi, 22, stay with the Amerks beyond this week?

The Buffalo Sabres, who sent Levi to the minors for extra work during their bye week and the NHL ... Read the full article

Sabres send Devon Levi to Rochester for work during break, recall goalie

The Sabres on Sunday loaned goalie Devon Levi to the Rochester Americans, a move that allows the rookie to practice and play during Buffalo’s bye week and the NHL All-Star break.

Buffalo also recalled goalie Eric Comrie, who has played five games for Rochester since clearing waivers earlier this month.

Since Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has emerged as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, Levi, 22, has played sparingly. On Wednesday, Levi started his first NHL game since ... Read the full article

After roster move by Sabres, goalie Eric Comrie seizing chance in Rochester

ROCHESTER – For almost a year, Eric Comrie never felt comfortable in net. Every game, the goalie said, felt like a tryout for the Buffalo Sabres. He wondered if a bad goal allowed would cost him playing time or lead to a demotion.

“I always felt like I was the odd man out in that (three-goalie) situation, where if I had the bad game, it was like, ‘Well, you’re not going to see it for ... Read the full article