Foligno - Buffalo Hockey Beat

John Scott hopeful he’s found home after re-signing with Sabres

BUFFALO – Late this season, as John Scott began earning a regular shift beside some proven talent, the tough guy promised he would score his long-awaited second NHL goal.

Alas, despite skating more than 10 minutes some nights, Scott couldn’t net his first Sabres goal.

That elusive tally, Scott said Monday, will come next season.

“Oh, definitely, I’m going to get it,” Scott told the Times Herald by phone after the Sabres re-signed him to ... Read the full article

Stafford wants to remain with Sabres despite struggles

BUFFALO – For some perspective on Drew Stafford’s disappointing six-goal, 18-point season, consider the winger compiled seven goals and 17 points during a torrid 12-game stretch late last year.

Stafford assembled his awful numbers in 46 contests this season. The 27-year-old scored his first goal in the Sabres’ 15^th game. He was a healthy scratch twice. Rookie Brian Flynn equaled his goal output in 20 fewer appearances.

Remember, Stafford scored 32 times ... Read the full article

Ryan Miller buoys Sabres in season finale; Jochen Hecht retires from NHL

BUFFALO – The cheers started before Friday’s season finale. First, fans applauded Ryan Miller’s name in the starting lineup. Minutes later, as the Sabres honored the goalie as their MVP prior to his 500^th NHL game, Miller received a loud ovation.

Some fans ever stood up.

It was a far cry from last Friday, when Miller sarcastically saluted the crowd in between two Bronx cheers.

That ugly outing felt like the end of ... Read the full article

Sabres tough guy Scott earning regular shift, says he will score rare goal: ‘I’ll get one, for sure’

BUFFALO – The home crowd reacts immediately. For a moment or two, the First Niagara Center starts buzzing.

John Scott has the puck around the net. The hulking Sabres tough guy just might score.

Scott’s second NHL goal would be celebrated wildly, generate some cheer during an otherwise glum season.

The fans want to see this badly.

“I want it just as bad,” Scott said Friday. “I can tell it’s kind of an anticipation happening. ... Read the full article

Boston postponement moves Sabres’ road finale to Tuesday

BUFFALO – The NHL tentatively postponed Friday’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins until this afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh tonight has been pushed back to Tuesday.

The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the changes.

It will be determined by 8:30 this morning if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.

The NHL contacted the Sabres early Friday afternoon about potentially moving the game, ... Read the full article

Enroth and some luck push Sabres past Flyers

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 17^th 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

Rolston believes Sabres rookie Foligno will bounce back after benching

BUFFALO – Why did interim coach Ron Rolston bench Marcus Foligno late Friday in the Sabres’ 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators?

The rookie winger received only two shifts during the third period for 30 total seconds. On Foligno’s first shift, Eric Gryba put Ottawa up 2-1.

Foligno played two seconds the rest of the game.

“He just wasn’t moving his feet as much as he should be,” Rolston said this afternoon inside the First ... Read the full article

Slumping Stafford benched as Gerbe returns for Sabres

MONTREAL – In just 32 days on the job, interim coach Ron Rolston has quickly put his mark on the Buffalo Sabres, scratching five regular forwards.

Prior to Saturday, struggling winger Drew Stafford had escaped a benching, only receiving some fourth-line duty for his poor play. With a two-goal effort last Saturday and the shootout-tying score Thursday, it appeared the assistant captain would keep dressing.

But Stafford, who has only four goals and a ... Read the full article

Struggling Stafford to sit tonight as Gerbe returns for Sabres

MONTREAL – Naturally, getting benched for tonight’s game against the Canadiens is disappointing, Drew Stafford said. The struggling Buffalo Sabres winger, who has only four goals in 31 games this season, hasn’t been a healthy scratch in years.

But the 27-year-old veteran, an assistant captain, understands why interim coach Ron Rolston will sit him.

“I mean, it’s no secret I haven’t been getting on the score sheet,” Stafford said this afternoon following Buffalo’s skate ... Read the full article

Struggling Stafford wants to remain with Sabres

MONTREAL – The rumors, Drew Stafford said, are simply not true. The struggling Sabres winger doesn’t want to be traded. The 27-year-old would like to stay in Buffalo, his only NHL home.

Right now, Stafford’s focusing on busting out of his long offensive slump. Asking to be dealt with two years and more than $8 million left on his contract, well, that would be the easy way out.

“No matter how bad it gets, ... Read the full article