WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Jhonas Enroth was arguably the Sabres’ only bright spot Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Three defeats. Two goals. One team going nowhere fast.
For the first time in their 43-year history, the Buffalo Sabres have started a season with three consecutive losses.
In Saturday’s setback, a 4-1 loss to the high-powered Penguins before 18,641 fans inside the Consol Energy Center, the Sabres’ goal drought went on the length of more than two full games before Thomas Vanek scored with 4:54 left in the contest.
“It’s the same ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff’s Dallas Stars visit the Sabres on Oct. 28. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres fans won’t have to wait long to see some familiar faces back at the First Niagara Center in different colors next season.
An Oct. 14 game against former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild and an Oct. 28 contest versus ex-coach Lindy Ruff and the Dallas Stars are among the highlights of the 82-game schedule the NHL released Friday.
The Sabres open their 43rd season Oct. 2 in ... Read the full article
Former captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild visit the Sabres on Oct. 14. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres fans won’t have to wait long to see some familiar faces back at the First Niagara Center for the first time next season.
An Oct. 14 game against former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild and an Oct. 28 contest versus ex-coach Lindy Ruff and the Dallas Stars are among the highlights of the 82-game slate the NHL released this afternoon.
The Sabres open their 43rd season Oct. ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller made 40 saves Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – The thinking went like this: Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, heckled during an ugly home outing Friday, wouldn’t play in Buffalo again this season. No way. The Sabres couldn’t risk having the face of their franchise jeered again.
Sure enough, he sat Monday’s home game.
But the Sabres turned to Miller again Tuesday inside Consol Energy Center, and the former Vezina Trophy winner dazzled in his 499th NHL appearance, stopping 40 ... Read the full article
Luke Adam spent more than a year in the minors. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – One day this winter, Luke Adam finally had enough. The 22-year-old cleared his head and stopped wondering about his future with the Buffalo Sabres.
In just a few months last season, Adam suffered a stunning decline, morphing from a first-line NHL scoring threat into a forgotten AHL player repeatedly bypassed for recalls.
But fretting wasn’t helping Adam’s career.
“That’s what got me in trouble,” Adam said Tuesday prior to the Sabres’ 4-1 win ... Read the full article
Robyn Regehr crunched Milan Lucic on Sunday, his last Sabres appearance. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Robyn Regehr’s absence from Buffalo Sabres practice Monday morning inside the First Niagara Center raised eyebrows.
With Wednesday’s deadline approaching, had the veteran defenseman waived his no-trade clause and been dealt?
The 32-year-old was just enjoying a maintenance day off the ice.
Shortly after practice ended around noon, Regehr walked into the dressing room and said he couldn’t “say yes or no right now” about ditching his no-trade clause again, which he ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller makes a lunging save off the stick of James Neal (not pictured) during the third period Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ten minutes after the Sabres’ disappointing 4-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday afternoon, a seething Ryan Miller stomped into the dressing room, crossed his arms and faced a throng of reporters and cameras.
The Sabres had just a blown 3-2 third-period lead after falling behind 2-0 only 87 seconds into the tilt.
Miller’s lip quivered as he cursed, sighed and vented his frustrations following the Sabres’ sixth loss in nine games.... Read the full article
Sidney Crosby shoots the puck Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – No one can quite explain Sidney Crosby’s success against the Sabres. Chalk it up to the 25-year-old being hockey’s most talented superstar. Chalk it up to a bit of luck, too.
Whatever the case, the Pittsburgh Penguins center owns the Sabres.
Crosby registered a goal and three points in Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 win inside the First Niagara Center, extending his point streak against the Sabres to 14 games, a span in which he’s ... Read the full article
Sidney Crosby believes several tools make Thomas Vanek a superstar. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With three straight pointless games entering this afternoon’s tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sabres superstar Thomas Vanek is struggling a bit for the first time this season.
Still, the slick winger’s 11-goal, 23-point start has been dynamic. Count Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby among those who’ve noticed Vanek’s exploits.
“I’m pretty aware of how consistent he’s been,” Crosby said Saturday after the Penguins prepared for the Sabres inside the First Niagara Center.
In Crosby’s ... Read the full article
Sidney Crosby respects Thomas Vanek’s game. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With three straight pointless games entering Sunday’s tilt against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sabres superstar Thomas Vanek is struggling a bit for the first time this season.
Still, the slick winger’s 11-goal, 23-point start has been dynamic. Count Penguins superstar Sidney Crosby among those who’ve noticed Vanek’s exploits.
“I’m pretty aware of how consistent he’s been,” Crosby said this afternoon following the Penguins’ practice inside the First Niagara Center.
In Crosby’s mind, what makes ... Read the full article
