Levi - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen stymies Avs, records first NHL shutout

BUFFALO – Fair or not, the knock on Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is his inability to make big saves at critical times.

In his 50-game career, the Finn hasn’t delivered many of those momentum-changing stops that might preserve a lead or keep a contest tied or within striking distance.

That’s why Luukkonen’s superb save on star Mikko Rantanen with the game tied at 0 early in Sunday afternoon’s 4-0 win holds so much significance.

The ... Read the full article

With Sabres goalie Eric Comrie injured, Devin Cooley earns first NHL recall; Buffalo changes up lines

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Eric Comrie’s lower-body injury will likely sideline him at least few weeks, general manger Kevyn Adams said. Meanwhile, rookie Devon Levi is still recovering from his lower-body injury.

So on Saturday, the Sabres, the same team forced to scratch a healthy goalie four times earlier this season, recalled Devin Cooley on an emergency basis from the Rochester Americans.

Cooley, 26, will back up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for this afternoon’s game against the ... Read the full article

Eric Comrie injured in road loss, leaving Sabres with one healthy goalie

Remember when the Buffalo Sabres had too many goalies? Well, eight games into the season, they’ve already lost two of the three to injury.

Eric Comrie suffered a lower-body injury halfway through Friday’s 5-4 road loss to the New Jersey Devils and did not return to the game, leaving Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as the Sabres’ only healthy goalie.

Coach Don Granato told reporters at the Prudential Center the Sabres would have more information on Comrie today.... Read the full article

Injured Sabres goalie Devon Levi still sore, hasn’t regressed

BUFFALO – Goalies Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have performed well in their first action this season, so the Sabres want to give rookie Devon Levi more time to recover from his lower-body injury.

Levi, who started the first four games, hasn’t played since last Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.

Sabres coach Don Granato said Levi, 21, is still experiencing soreness but hasn’t regressed.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen will likely start against Senators

BUFFALO – After playing two consecutive games, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie will likely take a breather tonight in Ottawa, allowing Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make his first start this season.

Sabres coach Don Granato said rookie goalie Devon Levi, who started the first four games, is still nursing a “nagging” lower-body injury and will likely be unavailable against the Senators. Levi, 21, did not skate Monday morning.

“We don’t expect it to be much longer and ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie to start again; Injured Devon Levi out tonight

BUFFALO – Fresh off a stellar 24-save outing in Saturday’s 3-1 win, Sabres goalie Eric Comrie will earn another nod tonight against the Montreal Canadiens.

Comrie, 28, hasn’t started back-to-back games since March 25 and 27.

After sitting out the first four games, he looked sharp throughout his season debut, making some critical saves before the Sabres pulled away from the New York Islanders.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Eric Comrie to start first game; Devon Levi, Zach Benson out

BUFFALO – Even if Sabres rookie Devon Levi felt 100 percent, goalie Eric Comrie likely would’ve earned tonight’s start against the New York Islanders.

Levi, 21, played the first four games, a heavy workload for a youngster. He struggled a bit in Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames, allowing a weak go-ahead goal as the Sabres fell to 1-3-0.

Sooner or later, Comrie or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who have been alternating as the backup, needed ... Read the full article

Sabres rookies Zach Benson, Devon Levi miss practice with injuries

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Zach Benson and goalie Devon Levi both missed Friday’s practice because of lower-body injuries and are considered day to day, according to the team.

Both rookies finished Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames in KeyBank Center.... Read the full article

Sabres keep rallying, fall short in sloppy loss to Flames: ‘Wanted an easier game’

BUFFALO – Scoring goals won’t be a problem for the Sabres this season, veteran defenseman Erik Johnson said. It’s preventing them that worries him.

“Until we have a commitment to team defense we won’t accomplish much,” Johnson said following Thursday’s 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames.

To wit: with the game knotted at 2 late in the second period, the disjointed Sabres allowed a breakaway and an odd-man rush. They escaped the period tied, but ... Read the full article

As goalie Devon Levi thrives as Sabres’ starter, Eric Comrie, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen wait for chance

BUFFALO – Having started all three games, Sabres goalie Devon Levi earned a well-deserved break Wednesday, giving Eric Comrie and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen an opportunity to practice in their own net.

Levi usually patrols his own crease, so for the first time this season, they each faced their own shots and found a rhythm they wouldn’t have during a three-goalie session.

Carrying three netminders creates problems, including limited practice reps. Each day, Comrie, 28, and Luukkonen, ... Read the full article