Lyon - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres star Tage Thompson, Team USA win gold medal in dramatic fashion

BUFFALO – When practice was set to begin at 10:30 Sunday morning, only two Sabres players, goalies Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, had hit the ice alongside the coaching staff in LECOM Harborcenter.

The rest of the team was watching the dramatic conclusion of the gold medal clash between and Team USA and Team Canada at the Milano Cortina Games.

As overtime began, everyone on the ice skated to one end to watch a television ... Read the full article

After injury costs him Olympics, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen focused on earning playoff spot

BUFFALO – When reality set in and Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen realized his lower-body injury would force him to miss the Olympics, he felt crushed.

Luukkonen had long hoped he could represent Team Finland at the Milano Cortina Games, and early last month, he earned a coveted roster spot.

Then on Jan. 27 in Toronto, nine days before the NHL paused its season for the tournament, he tweaked something early in the Sabres’ ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Devon Levi happy with Rochester, no longer feels ‘rushed’

BRIGHTON – These days, Devon Levi possesses a narrow focus. Naturally, the Buffalo Sabres prospect thinks about his future. But by embracing what the present offers him, he believes he can achieve his ultimate goal of becoming an elite NHL goalie.

Almost three years after nearly backstopping the Sabres to an unlikely playoff berth just weeks out of college, Levi, 24, has spent all season with the Rochester Americans.

“I know that over time I’ll ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson (72) battles with Pittsburgh’s Kevin Hayes on Thursday.

Sabres look sloppy in loss to Penguins; Buffalo makes roster moves

BUFFALO – In the Sabres’ final outing before the Milano Cortina Games, center Tage Thompson showcased why he earned a coveted spot on Team USA’s stacked Olympic squad.

Thompson was often the best player on the ice in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, scoring his 30th goal and narrowly missing a few more prime chances.

The American certainly outplayed the Penguins’ two biggest stars, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

On most nights, that ... Read the full article

Sabres blow late lead, lose tight game to Canadiens: ‘A matter of inches’

BUFFALO – A high-stakes late-January game in a packed, noisy building. The Sabres have waited for what feels like forever for nights like Saturday.

“We love playing these games,” captain Rasmus Dahlin said after the Sabres’ entertaining 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens ended their five-game win streak. “These are the type of games we want to be in.”

They’re also games the Sabres, who have registered an NHL-best 20-4-1 record since Dec. 9, must ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Josh Norris, Jacob Bryson skate with team; Buffalo might change lineup

BUFFALO – Right now, there’s no firm timeline for Josh Norris to return to the lineup. The oft-injured center participated in this morning’s pregame skate and plans to practice Sunday before the Sabres begin their two-game Florida road trip.

“Just keep evaluating and see where we’re at,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.

Ruff said Norris is day to day.... Read the full article

Alex Lyon sets consecutive wins record as Sabres continue torrid run

BUFFALO – When the Sabres signed goalie Alex Lyon as a free agent last summer, they likely envisioned an important but secondary role for the veteran journeyman.

In addition to serving as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s backup, he could push the Finn and provide some internal competition, perhaps steal some playing time.

The Sabres thought highly enough of Lyon, a fierce competitor, that they awarded him a two-year, $3 million contract.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to miss at least week with injury

BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who suffered a lower-body injury early in Tuesday’s 7-4 road win, will be sidelined at least a week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

“Then we’ll look at it after that,” Ruff said this morning in KeyBank Center.

The Sabres have five games left before the Olympic break, starting with tonight’s against the Los Angeles Kings.

After next Thursday’s home game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Sabres don’t play ... Read the full article

After tying 49-year-old record, Sabres goalie Alex Lyon enjoys special chat with Gerry Desjardins

BUFFALO – Early Sunday, less than a day after Sabres goalie Alex Lyon tied the franchise’s all-time record for most consecutive wins, his phone rang. On the other end, Gerry Desjardins, who had owned the mark for 49 years, wanted to chat.

For about the next 20 minutes, Lyon, 33, and Desjardins, 81, talked about the craft of goaltending and the unique mentality needed to play hockey’s most demanding position.

“It was interesting that we ... Read the full article

Sabres trade prospect to Hurricanes in exchange for Gavin Bayreuther

Jarmo Kekalainen on Saturday added defense depth in his first trade as Buffalo Sabres general manager, acquiring Gavin Bayreuther from the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for forward prospect Viktor Neuchev.

Bayreuther, 31, has been assigned to the Rochester Americans.

Having lost Jacob Bryson to an upper-body injury in Thursday’s 4-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens, the Sabres needed another left-shot defenseman in the organization.... Read the full article