WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
The Sabres became a tight group this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Before center Zemgus Girgensons reported to the rink Saturday morning, his wife, Katie, asked him what he would tell the Sabres’ brass during his end-of-season meetings.
Girgensons, the Sabres’ longest-tenured player, experienced a lot of losing and turmoil over his eight NHL seasons, so in previous years, he had plenty of gripes to share before he left town for the summer.
“Usually in the morning, you’re trying to gather thoughts of all the ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret called his final game Friday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said he can’t simply tell his players about the Sabres’ history. They need to see and experience it for themselves.
That’s why Granato believes the Sabres’ season-long celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, who called his final game Friday, will have a lasting effect for his young team.
“Having everybody celebrate RJ this season meant they celebrated 50 years of Sabre hockey and the history,” Granato said prior to ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald played his first 36 games with Buffalo this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres made three roster moves prior to Friday’s season finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, sending defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and goalie Aaron Dell to the Rochester Americans and recalling netminder Michael Houser.
The Amerks, who thumped the Utica Comets 8-1 in Friday’s regular-season finale at Blue Cross Arena, needed the victory to stay alive the AHL North Division playoff chase. Their defense has been decimated by injuries and recalls, so Fitzgerald’s arrival was ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo moves around Mitch Marner (12) and Michael Bunting (58) on April 12 in Toronto. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On Wednesday, the Sabres, a team two days away from finishing its season, had a group of players on the KeyBank Center ice 25 minutes before their final practice started.
To veteran winger Kyle Okposo, 34, the Sabres’ oldest and most experienced player, that speaks volumes about the group’s passion. The Sabres will miss the playoffs for a record-setting 11th straight year, yet no one seems to want the season to end.... Read the full article
Craig Anderson has played 31 games this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Injured winger Kyle Okposo and goalie Craig Anderson could play in Friday’s season finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, Sabres coach Don Granato said.
“We want them to play, and they’re right on that cusp,” Granato said. “They are day to day.”
The Sabres play their final road game tonight against the Boston Bruins.... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund has established himself as a tenacious presence for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On his dirt bike, Rasmus Asplund said it almost felt like he was whisked away to a different world. The Sabres winger would reach speeds of 60 mph and soar high into the air as he sped through the rugged track.
Being a competitive motocross racer was a thrill.
“Maybe it’s a little bit dangerous, the speeds, the jumping,” Asplund told the Times Herald following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center.
Long before Asplund, ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has scored 37 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After Sabres center Tage Thompson hit the 30-goal mark for the first time April 1, coach Don Granato told the burgeoning star that, hey, while that’s a nice number, there’s a heck of a lot more you can do.
“I know you’re going to score more, you know you’re going to score more, so we can celebrate this, but onward and upward, let’s go,” Granato said he told Thompson.
Granato’s words served as ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo has scored 21 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Kyle Okposo left Monday’s practice early and was being evaluated after injuring his left leg during a drill.
The veteran appeared to step on the puck during a rush and fell to the ice. Coach Don Granato said the Sabres would know more later Monday.
Okposo, 34, was injured hours after the Buffalo chapter of The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association named him the Sabres’ 2021-22 nominee for the Masterton Trophy.
Jeff Skinner has scored 33 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Opponents detest Jeff Skinner, one of the NHL’s foremost pests. The Sabres winger has a knack for getting under their skin, whether it be by running his mouth, relentlessly hounding the puck or scoring goals.
“He’s one of my best friends and I’m pretty sure I would hate his guts on the other side,” Sabres winger Casey Mittelstadt said after Skinner agitated the New York Islanders and scored late in Saturday afternoon’s ... Read the full article
Aaron Dell played 12 games with Buffalo earlier this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Craig Anderson is day to day with an undisclosed injury and will miss this afternoon’s game against the New York Islanders, coach Don Granato said.
Dustin Tokarski will start today at KeyBank Center. The Sabres this morning recalled Aaron Dell from the Rochester Americans to back him up.
Granato said Anderson, who has been experiencing soreness, did not like how he felt during Friday’s practice.
