WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Rookie Rasmus Dahlin has certainly helped the Sabres generate more shots. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – How rare is the Sabres’ current streak of 40 or more shots on goal in three straight games? Well, before pumping 40 on New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist in Sunday’s 3-1 road loss, they hadn’t done it since March 2009.
Prior to Sunday, they generated 41 shots in Saturday afternoon’s 9-2 win against the Ottawa Senators and a season-high 48 in last Thursday’s 4-2 loss in Ottawa.
So in Thursday’s road tilt ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo said the Sabres started changing in training camp. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – In Sunday’s 3-1 road loss, the Sabres thoroughly outplayed the New York Rangers, outshooting them a whopping 40-21.
Other than a 19-second span in which the Rangers scored twice, the Sabres held them in check, staying on the offensive and peppering goalie Henrik Lundqvist.
While the Sabres lost for the fourth time in five outings (1-2-2), the game illustrates how much they’ve grown this season. If they keep performing like they did Sunday ... Read the full article
Phil Housley’s wife, Karin, is the Republican nominee for a Minnesota Senate seat. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Phil Housley’s wife, Karin, is probably the coach’s biggest fan. Just check her Twitter account, which is filled with support for her husband and the Sabres.
But today, election day, is “her day,” Phil Housley said. Karin Housley is running as the Republican nominee in the Minnesota Senate race.
“She’s fought the good fight,” Phil Housley said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “She’s ran a really good, strong campaign. She’s worked tremendously hard ... Read the full article
The team presented Jason Pominville a silve sabre before the game. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Celebrations like the one the Sabres threw for Jason Pominville’s 1,000-game milestone often mean a long, distinguished career is entering its final stage.
These days, with 30 being considered old by NHL standards, very few players possess longevity like Pominville’s. Even fewer keep producing offense like they’re still in their mid-20s.
But right now, Pominville, a winger who has compiled 285 goals and 710 points over his NHL seasons, looks like he’s still ... Read the full article
Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark stops Mark Stone’s breakaway Saturday afternoon. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Watching your teammates throttle an opponent and pile up goal can be a negative and positive experience, Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark said.
“It’s both boring and really fun,” Ullmark said after making 27 saves in Saturday afternoon’s 9-2 win against the Ottawa Senators. “We had some really good goals today and guys battling up front, so that’s a lot of fun for me when I’m seeing that. …
“I’m happy as long as ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark has started three games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark will start this afternoon’s tilt against the Ottawa Senators, his first nod at home this season.
In three appearances, Ullmark is 2-0-1 with a 2.00 goals against average, a .935 save percentage and one shutout. The Swede hasn’t played since making 32 saves in last Saturday’s 5-4 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I think he’s just been very comfortable in the net,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville has been skating on the first line. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Shortly before winger Jason Pominville started his milestone 1,000th NHL game Thursday, coach Phil Housley finished addressing the Sabres and briefly left the dressing room.
“Phil did his pregame speech and he’s like, ‘Wait, I forgot something,’” Pominville said Friday inside KeyBank Center.
When Housley returned, he brought Pominville’s wife, Kim, and two children, Jayden and Kaylee Rose, with him.
“When I saw them in the room, I almost had tears in my ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has played eight games with the Sabres. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Through 13 games this season, Sabres winger Tage Thompson has made nine appearances, sitting out the other four as a healthy scratch.
While Thompson, 20, possesses notable talent – look at the nifty preseason goal he scored after toe-dragging – he hasn’t done much so far with the Sabres, registering just one assist.
Sabres coach Phil Housley said Thompson will also sit out Saturday afternoon’s home tilt against the Ottawa Senators.... Read the full article
Phil Housley’s team went 6-4-2 in October. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – If you had told Phil Housley prior to the season the Sabres would finish October a solid 6-4-2, the second-year coach said he would’ve been pretty happy.
The Sabres, of course, hardly enjoyed a perfect month. They suffered some blowout losses. Right now, they’ve lost two straight games in overtime.
Still, the Sabres have a five-game point streak (3-0-2) entering Thursday’s tilt in Ottawa. They’re clearly a much better team than last season, ... Read the full article
Carter Hutton watches the play Tuesday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Carter Hutton’s grip on the starting job isn’t exactly firm. Following a strong start, the Sabres goalie had cooled off a bit in recent outings before Tuesday’s stellar effort in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Calgary Flames.
While Hutton, 32, has handled the load early, playing nine of the first 12 games, he has competition from backup Linus Ullmark, who has looked impressive in limited action.
Hutton began Tuesday sporting an ... Read the full article