Ehrhoff - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Jordan Leopold was Sabres’ unsung hero much of tenure

Jordan Leopold’s Sabres career ended today when the team dealt him to the St. Louis Blues for two draft picks. Leopold, whose accountability and quick wit made him a great personality, wasn’t overly flashy. The American did a little bit of everything well. That’s why he consistently (and very quietly) led the Sabres in ice time. His value to the Sabres was huge.

Here’s what I wrote about Leopold on Jan. 6, 2012.

BUFFALO ... Read the full article

Sabres’ wretched play frustrates Rolston

It was John Tortorella-esque.

In his 35^th day on the job following his 16^th game, the Buffalo Sabres’ futility finally got to interim coach Ron Rolston.

After the Sabres’ uninspired 2-1 loss Tuesday in Tampa Bay to the Lightning, a game in which they sprinkled only 14 shots on journeyman goalie Mathieu Garon, Rolston sounded like the New York Rangers’ bench boss.

In his brief chat with the media, Rolston replied ... Read the full article

Tight win over Canadiens has Sabres back in playoff chase

MONTREAL – This one could’ve gotten ugly early as the Buffalo Sabres bumbled around their own zone and the Canadiens kept relentlessly applying pressure.

Somehow, though, the Habs missed a slew of prime chances during the first period Saturday.

If they didn’t misfire in front of Ryan Miller, the franchise goalie gobbled it up. His play and a little luck kept the Sabres in the game.

Just a few weeks ago, the struggling team might’ve ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Thomas Vanek should return against Canadiens

MONTREAL – When Christian Ehrhoff’s point blast hit Thomas Vanek squarely in the hip early in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime win here on Tuesday, the slick winger thought the worst.

“I thought he broke my hip because it was puck on bone,” Vanek said Friday after practicing inside the First Niagara Center, his first session back on the ice.

But the Sabres’ leading scorer has healed quickly. He felt good during the short skate and ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek plans to play against Canadiens

BUFFALO – When Christian Ehrhoff’s point blast hit Thomas Vanek squarely in the hip early in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime win Tuesday in Montreal, the slick winger thought the worst.

“I thought he broke my hip because it was puck on bone,” Vanek said this afternoon after practicing inside the First Niagara Center, his first session back on the ice.

But the Sabres’ leading scorer has healed quickly. He felt good during the short skate ... Read the full article

Relentless Sabres roar back to down Leafs in ultra-intense tilt

BUFFALO –For 65 wildly entertaining minutes Thursday, the Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs fought, traded goals and battled for every inch as they zoomed up and down the ice before a noisy bipartisan crowd of 19,070 fans inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres’ 5-4 shootout victory was NHL hockey at its fiercest and most exciting.

“They got their money’s worth tonight,” interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said about the capacity crowd.

Fittingly, Sabres agitator ... Read the full article

Sulzer disappointed season over, hoping to re-sign with Sabres

BUFFALO – When defenseman Alexander Sulzer caught his skate in a rut and twisted his knee early in the Sabres’ 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders on Feb. 23, the defenseman immediately knew something wasn’t right.

“I felt that something happened,” Sulzer said prior to the Sabres’ 5-4 shootout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. “It was really painful. I didn’t know how bad it was. But ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek out against Leafs

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Thomas Vanek will miss tonight’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after taking a shot off the hip Tuesday.

Interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Vanek is simply too sore to play.

“He’s better today,” Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He feels actually good. He’s starting the process. So we’re hoping to get him on the ice tomorrow.”

Vanek could play Saturday in Montreal.

Christian Ehrhoff’s ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek questionable for Leafs; Sekera likely out

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Thomas Vanek, who took a lethal Christian Ehrhoff point shot off the hip early in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win in Montreal, missed practice Wednesday and is questionable for tonight’s tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“He’s a little bit better but still going to be day-to-day, what he can tolerate,” interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said Wednesday inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s certainly a possibility.”

Meanwhile, defenseman Andrej Sekera practiced ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek questionable for Thursday

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Thomas Vanek, who took a lethal Christian Ehrhoff shot off the hip early in Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime win in Montreal, missed practice today and is questionable for Thursday’s home tilt against Toronto.

“He’s a little bit better but still going to be day-to-day, what he can tolerate,” interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “He’s certainly a possibility.”

Meanwhile, defenseman Andrej Sekera practiced today but ... Read the full article