WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Don Granato caught a flight to Boston on Saturday morning. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
Don Granato’s Saturday began in the predawn hours in Buffalo. The coach knew he was close to clearing the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. So receiving good test results meant he join the Sabres in Boston for their matinee.
“I was waiting literally minute by minute in hopes of being here,” Granato said on a Zoom call prior to the Sabres’ 4-3 overtime loss to the Bruins at TD Garden.
When Granato received clearance, he hopped on ... Read the full article
Don Granato missed two games. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato has left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and will be behind the bench for this afternoon’s road game against the Boston Bruins.
In addition, wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner will return to the lineup after leaving protocol Friday and practicing.
Granato, who missed two games after testing positive Sunday, said he feels “really good.”
Jeff Skinner entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol Dec. 21. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Sabres wingers Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner have left the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol and could play in this afternoon’s road game against the Boston Bruins, according to The Buffalo News.
Hinostroza, 27, and Skinner, 29, practiced with the Sabres on Friday in Boston.
“Both will be available, if that’s the direction we decide,” assistant Matt Ellis, who’s subbing for head coach Don Granato, told the paper.
Dylan Cozens entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol Sunday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Sabres coach Don Granato and the five players in the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol will likely be unavailable for Wednesday’s home game against the New Jersey Devils, assistant coach Matt Ellis said.
“I believe our list is our list and we will not have anyone available from that tomorrow,” Ellis, who’s subbing for Granato, said following this morning’s practice inside KeyBank Center.
In addition to Granato, forwards Dylan Cozens, Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza, Mark ... Read the full article
Matt Ellis is in his first full season as an assistant coach. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Following the Sabres’ first practice in eight days, winger Kyle Okposo acknowledged that, yes, at times he recently wondered if they would ever skate together again.
On Sunday, Okposo arrived at the KeyBank Center excited the NHL’s Christmas/COVID-19 break had ended. But after coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski tested positive for the virus, the Sabres canceled their scheduled afternoon practice.
“I was ready to go yesterday,” Okposo said ... Read the full article
Kevyn Adams is preparing like Buffalo will play Wednesday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Some quick updates from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced this morning for the first time in eight days following a Christmas/COVID-19 break:
– The Sabres today had zero players added to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. With coach Don Granato and five players having tested positive for the virus, assistant coach Matt Ellis led a session with 16 skaters and three goalie.
If Granato can’t coach Wednesday’s scheduled home game against the New ... Read the full article
Don Granato is in his first season as Buffalo’s permanent coach. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
On Sunday, following a six-day pause, the Buffalo Sabres planned to reconvene and practice. Still, given how COVID-19 has been decimating NHL teams, it felt like their return to the ice could be delayed.
Sure enough, barely two hours before their scheduled 3 p.m. session, the Sabres canceled it. About 90 minutes later, they announced coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski have entered the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
Right now, all three ... Read the full article
Don Granato briefly coached from a suite last season. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Buffalo Sabres coach Don Granato and forwards Dylan Cozens and Mark Jankowski this afternoon entered the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol. Right now, all three are asymptomatic, according to the team.
The Sabres now have one coach and five players in protocol. Wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner were added last week.
The team this afternoon canceled a practice scheduled for 3 p.m.
Following a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break, NHL teams can reconvene today for testing, ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons entered COVID-19 protocol last week. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon canceled a practice scheduled for 3 p.m.
Following a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break, NHL teams can reconvene today for testing, practice and travel.
Right now, the Sabres have three players – wingers Zemgus Girgensons, Vinnie Hinostroza and Jeff Skinner – in the league’s COVID-19 protocol.
The Sabres possibly want to wait for test results before resuming practice.
Their next scheduled game is Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils at KeyBank ... Read the full article
Anthony Beauvillier and the New York Islanders won’t be visiting Buffalo on Monday. ©2021, Micheline Veluvolu
Monday’s Buffalo Sabres game against the New York Islanders at KeyBank Center has been postponed.
The NHL tonight pushed back its resumption of play one day so it could analyze testing data and determine teams’ readiness to compete coming out a four-day Christmas/COVID-19 break. The league wants to resume games Tuesday.
The Sabres’ next scheduled contest is Wednesday at home against the New Jersey Devils.