Kulich - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres AHL: Kale Clague grabs starring role for Rochester Amerks in playoffs

ROCHESTER – Technically, Americans defensemen Kale Clague had played a playoff game in pro hockey before last weekend.

In 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the AHL to play a truncated schedule, it did not hold the Calder Cup Playoffs. However, some Pacific Division teams held a small postseason tournament at the Anaheim Ducks’ practice facility with no fans in attendance.

Clague, 26, played one game for the Ontario Reign after the Los Angeles Kings ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi, Jiri Kulich star as Rochester Amerks grab 2-0 lead

ROCHESTER – Don’t let the 4-0 final fool you. For much of Sunday afternoon, the Americans held a tenuous grip on a one-goal lead against the Syracuse Crunch.

After rookie winger Konsta Helenius put them up early, the Amerks could’ve unraveled in the second period of Game 2 of their AHL North Division semifinal series.

The Crunch buzzed around goalie Devon Levi, outshooting the home team 15-6 and also hitting the post during a late ... Read the full article

Fourth-liners Brendan Warren, Riley Fiddler-Schultz help Rochester Amerks rally to win playoff opener

ROCHESTER – Mike Leone played at three colleges and grinded in the minors and Europe for three seasons before beginning the next phase of his hockey life. So the Americans coach has a soft spot for his depth players who have battled and waited for their opportunities.

Leone knows their buy-in and contributions are vital to a team’s success, especially in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

To wit: in Friday’s 3-2 win over the Syracuse Crunch ... Read the full article

After becoming Sabres’ No. 1 center, Jiri Kulich returns to Rochester Amerks for starring role in playoffs

ROCHESTER – Americans center Jiri Kulich has returned to where he starred for two seasons as a more accomplished and mature player.

When the Buffalo Sabres assigned him to the AHL for a four-game stint in early November, they had just spent a month easing him into the lineup, playing the neophyte at the wing and occasionally scratching him.

Kulich, who will play for the Amerks in tonight’s opener of the Calder Cup Playoffs at ... Read the full article

Sabres send four prospects back to Rochester Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres on Friday sent four of their top forward prospects – Jiri Kulich, Noah Ostlund, Isak Rosen and Tyson Kozak – back the Rochester Americans.

Kulich, Ostlund, Rosen all played for the Sabres in Thursday’s season-ending 5-4 win over the Philadelphia Flyers at KeyBank Center. They sat out Rochester’s home game Friday against the Toronto Marlies. Kozak has been out injured with a hip strain.

The Amerks have one regular-season game left ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich never expected to be centering Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – If someone had told Jiri Kulich a few months ago he would be centering Tage Thompson on the Sabres’ top line later in his rookie season, he said he probably would’ve laughed at them.

“I didn’t even expect that,” Kulich told the Times Herald prior to Tuesday’s 3-0 win over the Carolina Hurricanes at KeyBank Center.

Few expected Kulich, 20, would ascend so quickly up the lineup.

The Czech began the season moving ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson scores a breakaway goal Sunday on Boston goalie Joonas Korpisalo.

Sabres’ Tage Thompson scores hat trick in win over Bruins, aims for 50 goals

BUFFALO – Just like that, a 50-goal season might be attainable for scorching Sabres winger Tage Thompson. Six games are left. After scoring three times in Sunday’s 6-3 win over the Boston Bruins, he has 43 goals.

Is it likely he will become the first Sabres player to score 50 goals in 32 years? No, but the prestigious mark is certainly within reach.

Right now, Thompson is the NHL’s hottest scorer, having registered eight goals ... Read the full article

Sabres use second-period outburst to beat Penguins after Sidney Crosby sets point-per-game seasons record

BUFFALO – In almost 37 minutes over two abbreviated starts against the Sabres this season, Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry looked downright awful, allowing seven goals on 17 shots and getting yanked twice.

It must be noted the Sabres lost the first game they chased Jarry, the start of disturbing stretch in which they dropped five contests when the starting netminder departed.

On Thursday, however, the Sabres kept throttling the hapless Penguins and Alex Nedeljkovic, ... Read the full article

Before trade to Senators, Dylan Cozens wanted to find solution with Sabres

BUFFALO – Center Dylan Cozens, one of the Sabres’ core assets just a few weeks ago, emerged from the visiting dressing room clad in black, red and gold gear and walked to a backdrop adorned with logos of the Ottawa Senators.

Then Cozens, sporting a backwards baseball hat and his customary smile, began answering questions about the deadline trade that sent him to the Sabres’ Atlantic Division rival.

“It still really doesn’t feel real ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris frustrated by injury; Buffalo recalls prospect

BUFFALO – The Sabres and Josh Norris want to be smart about his mid-body injury, so while the newcomer marked tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators on the calendar after they recently traded him, he won’t rush back for it.

If everything goes well, then perhaps Norris, 25, will be ready for next Tuesday’s game in Ottawa.

That, of course, is a big if.

Tonight’s game will be the sixth straight contest the center has ... Read the full article