Kulich - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Reeling Sabres fall apart, lose to Utah: ‘Mentally one of the weakest games’

BUFFALO – The same Sabres team that recently won 10 times in a 15-game stretch now has trouble executing the simplest of plays. The same team that briefly surged into a playoff spot often can’t stay onside or complete a short pass.

As they illustrated throughout Saturday afternoon, the Sabres, who extended their losing streak to six games (0-4-2), are a complete mess.

In a downright embarrassing effort, they endured a 5-2 shellacking from noted ... Read the full article

OT goal, faceoff ability illustrate rookie Jiri Kulich could stick with Sabres

BUFFALO – In just days following his recall, Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich morphed from a raw but talented neophyte into a huge contributor and trusted asset coach Lindy Ruff utilized in critical situations.

On Friday in Anaheim, Kulich’s 12th NHL outing and second as a center, his natural position, he scored in overtime to clinch the Sabres’ 3-2 win against the Ducks.

“To be honest, I was always dreaming about this moment,” Kulich said following ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson says he’s ready to return from lower-body injury

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence, the Sabres have done well, going 4-1-0 and winning all three stops last week in California without their top center.

By the end of the trip, Thompson, who said he’s “ready to go” for tonight’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, told the Sabres he would play if they needed him.

Still, they held him out of Friday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks and Saturday’s 4-2 victory ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Jiri Kulich from Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres have recalled rookie forward Jiri Kulich from the Rochester Americans prior to tonight’s road game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Philadelphia that Kulich will play tonight. The Sabres summoned Kulich because winger Jordan Greenway left Friday’s practice with an undisclosed injury.... Read the full article

Sabres’ UPL, Tage Thompson won’t play versus Flyers; Jordan Greenway injured

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence against the St. Louis Blues, centers Ryan McLeod and Dylan Cozens picked up the slack for the Sabres’ leading scorer.

McLeod scored once and created linemate Alex Tuch’s late tying goal in Thursday’s 4-3 overtime win by deftly feeding him from behind the net.

Earlier in the third period, Cozens knocked down Oskar Sundqvist before racing to the net and converting a rebound. While officials overturned the goal because ... Read the full article

After strong stint with Sabres, prospect Jiri Kulich scoring goals in Rochester

ROCHESTER – Buffalo Sabres prospect Jiri Kulich laughed. The Czech center possesses one of hockey’s most dynamic shots. In his career, he said he has scored twice by tipping the puck.

Kulich, 20, just happened to score his first NHL goal Oct. 17 by getting a piece of linemate Dylan Cozens’ shot.

“I don’t know if I’m really a tip guy,” a smiling Kulich said Friday prior to scoring in the Americans’ 6-3 win over ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jacob Bryson made most of time as scratch; Connor Clifton must ‘elevate his play’

BUFFALO – As he morphed from a regular into the Sabres’ seventh or eighth defenseman over the past two years, Jacob Bryson developed a unique skill.

Bryson believes he can be scratched for long stretches – in the most recent instance, he went 42 days between playing games – and rejoin the lineup ready to contribute, no easy task.

“I honestly think it’s a skill I’ve brought to my game over the last couple years,” ... Read the full article

Sabres create roster spot by loaning rookie Jiri Kulich to Rochester

BUFFALO – The Sabres this afternoon sent rookie forward Jiri Kulich to the Rochester Americans, creating a roster spot for winger Zach Benson.

Coach Lindy Ruff said following this morning’s skate he would talk to Benson, who has missed the last five games with a lower-body injury, to see how he felt.

Kulich, 20, compiled one goal in eight games as he moved in and out of the lineup over the last month. In ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Zach Benson a ‘possibility’ to return from injury against Senators

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zach Benson, out the last five games with a lower-body injury, is a “possibility” to return for tonight’s game against the Ottawa Senators, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Benson, 19, practiced Monday at left wing alongside center Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn, his first full session since leaving the lineup Oct. 22. He also skated on the second power-play unit.

Update: Ruff said following this morning’s pregame skate he would see how ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Lindy Ruff could utilize depth to change Buffalo’s lineup

BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres’ depth offers coach Lindy Ruff some intriguing options. He has been scratching three healthy players each game, meaning he has fresh bodies he can plug into the lineup.

With another game tonight in Detroit, he can infuse some jump in a team that will likely feel fatigued following Friday’s 4-3 loss to the New York Islanders in KeyBank Center.

“In back-to-back games, we’ll have depth to put fresh bodies ... Read the full article