WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Ryan Miller endured a tough night Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Two goals in 57 seconds. The New York Rangers couldn’t score another before the first period ended Friday, right?
The Sabres would buckle down facing elimination. Besides, the Rangers scored on fluky deflections.
Still, the crowd of 19,003 fans inside the First Niagara Center needed to vent.
So the surly spectators gave goalie Ryan Miller a Bronx cheer after he stopped a dump-in as the final seconds ticked down. Miller then nearly whiffed ... 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
Mikhail Grigorenko’s junior season ended last week. ©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 this morning inside the First Niagara Center and will travel with the team to Boston. Grigorenko will likely sit Wednesday’s game against the Bruins, though.
Rather than sending Grigorenko to AHL Rochester, where he’s now eligible to play with the Quebec Remparts’ season having ended last week, the ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth kicks out a shot by Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier (4) in front of Mark Pysyk on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This two-day stretch hardly mirrored the last time Sabres backup goalie Jhonas Enroth earned consecutive starts for a healthy Ryan Miller.
Back in November 2011, Enroth sported an eight-game winning streak as Miller was beginning a wretched three-month slump. The Swede’s second nod ignited a goaltending controversy.
These days, Miller’s entrenched as the No. 1 goalie. Enroth, meanwhile, recently regained the dynamic form he showcased early during his rookie season.
If the ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth blanked Philadelphia on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – So, Ron Rolston, fresh off his 29-save shutout in Saturday’s 1-0 triumph over the Philadelphia Flyers, will backup goalie Jhonas Enroth start again today?
“I don’t know,” the Sabres’ interim coach replied this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “We’ll see.”
Rolston knows which netminder’s starting against the Tampa Bay Lightning, right? He’s just not telling.
“Exactly,” he said with a grin.
Enroth, who hurt his neck late Saturday, is fine, Rolston said. ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth tries to make a stop in front of Adam Pardy on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sure, the Sabres needed some good fortune to down the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. Christian Ehrhoff’s pass off the end boards created the game’s only goal. Daniel Briere hit the crossbar behind Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth with just a single tick left in the game.
Still, they deserved their 17th win this season and first in three games. The Sabres, so vile during Thursday’s 5-1 home loss to Montreal, ... Read the full article
Chad Ruhwedel was playing NCAA hockey earlier this week. ©2013, Gil Talbot, UMass-Lowell
BUFFALO – What does interim coach Ron Rolston know about defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, the free agent from UMass Lowell the Sabres signed to a two-year, entry-level contract today?
“Not much,” Rolston said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.
Rolston will know a whole lot about Ruhwedel by about 5:30 p.m. The 22-year-old, who finished his three-year NCAA career earlier this week, will made his NHL debut against the Philadelphia Flyers this afternoon.
Ruhwedel ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers played 39 games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers absorbed P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point with his leg.
After blocking the lethal shot, Myers hobbled off seconds later when the Canadiens converted their five-on-three power play.
The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.
Following the contest, Myers found ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis (63) tries to poke the puck from Montreal’s P.K. Subban during the third period Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Fifteen minutes after a wretched, season-killing 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, the door to the Sabres dressing room swung open.
Inside, players had just finished discussing their embarrassing play and the path for the final seven games of this lost season.
Where do the hapless Sabres go following one of the worst efforts in recent memory?
“We talked amongst ourselves, obviously, what attitude are we going to have going forward here?” Sabres ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis was recently named Rochester’s captain. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Reminders of the Sabres’ recent roster overhaul are all over Matt Ellis’ Clarence neighborhood.
Each day, the hardworking forward drives by “For Sale” signs in front of the homes Jordan Leopold and Jason Pominville recently left. When Ellis picks up neighbor Cody McCormick, instead of going downtown, the teammates drive 75 miles down the thruway to Rochester, their new playing home.
“The only one left in our neighborhood is (Thomas Vanek),” Ellis, ... Read the full article