WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Thanksgiving Edition
Nikita Zadorov made his NHL debut Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If you enjoyed watching Sabres rookie Nikita Zadorov thump opponents during his NHL debut, get ready to see more of the 18-year-old Russian tonight against the gritty Boston Bruins.
Sabres coach Ron Rolston plans to play the 16th overall pick in June more than the 11:01 he skated in Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Colorado.
“Matchup-wise, he’s got size, and he’s physical,” Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “He ... Read the full article
Mark Pysyk’s calm style has earned praise from his coach and teammates. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – First, as Mark Pysyk was sitting in his stall talking to a reporter Tuesday, Zemgus Girgensons approached the defenseman, extended his hand and smacked his roommate across the cheek.
“What’s that about?” Pysyk said as Girgensons scurried off.
Girgensons, the likable Pysyk said, was “going to get it bad.”
“He might get a tape ball,” he said.
Moments later, a laughing Nikita Zadorov approached Pysyk and slapped him again.
Three Sabres rookies. Two ... Read the full article
Ville Leino could return later this week. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Nine losses in 10 games. Twelve goals, or 1.2 a contest. Wretched start after wretched start.
Twenty-one days into the season, the Sabres (1-8-1) possess no identity whatsoever.
“I think we’re still in the process,” Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “I don’t think we’ve consistently done enough of the things to really create the identity that we want. Those are the things that ... Read the full article
The Sabres’ Mike Weber (6) fights Steve Downie on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The buzz began building as Drew Stafford wound up at the left point. A second later, as the winger pumped a slap shot on Colorado goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere 14:09 into the game, the 18,422 fans inside the First Niagara Center roared, almost like the Sabres had scored.
It was, of course, a Bronx cheer – perhaps the loudest you’ll ever hear. The hapless Sabres finally had their first shot.
“That’s a low moment,” ... Read the full article
Zemgus Girgensons was hit in the face Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Since the Sabres had an optional skate this morning, you’ll have to wait until tonight to see their lineup against the upstart Colorado Avalanche.
This much is known: Cody McCormick, who blocked a shot in Thursday’s 3-0 loss to Vancouver, is out. The forward is day-to-day, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
Winger Zemgus Girgensons, who took a shot off his face Tuesday, will return after a one-game absence. The rookie has ditched ... Read the full article
Nikita Zadorov hurt his thumb during the preseason finale. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Get ready to see the sixth rookie skate for the Sabres this season.
Russian defenseman Nikita Zadorov, the 16th overall pick in June, will make his NHL debut soon, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
The 18-year-old Zadorov, out since hurting his finger during the preseason finale, has been practicing with the Sabres.
“He’s getting there,” Rolston said about Zadorov’s recovery following practice today inside the First Niagara Center.
When will Zadorov, ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville had never skated in the First Niagara Center as an opponent before Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Once the initial shock of getting traded to the Minnesota Wild in April started wearing off, former Sabres captain Jason Pominville said he “really took a step back” and began examining his new gig.
Pominville was leaving a team beginning a rebuilding process for the upstart Wild, a club constructed to win the Stanley Cup immediately.
The Wild had just signed stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to huge twin contracts. Many believed ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville talks with some old friends this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Defenseman Henrik Tallinder will return tonight against popular former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild following a four-game absence.
With Tallinder (upper body) back from injured reserve, either rookie Rasmus Ristolainen or Alexander Sulzer, the spare defenders this morning, will be sent to Rochester, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
Update: Sulzer has been assigned to the AHL.
Meanwhile, backup goalie Jhonas Enroth will make his third start for the winless Sabres ... Read the full article
Cody Hodgson stickhandles in on Tampa Bay goalie Ben Bishop moments before scoring Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A two-goal lead? Wait, the winless Sabres scored twice in one game?
Entering Tuesday’s tilt, the struggling club had only two goals in its first three contests. Heck, the Sabres hadn’t even held a lead yet this season.
But they rebounded nicely against the Tampa Bay Lightning, building a 2-1 advantage before co-captain Thomas Vanek tipped Jamie McBain’s shot past goalie Ben Bishop 5:21 into the third period.
The horn sounded. Players raised ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers (57) and Mike Weber (6) played together Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In their three years as Sabres teammates, Tyler Myers and Mike Weber have rarely kept the same defense partner long.
Myers has spent significant time beside almost every established defenseman in recent seasons, a result of personal and team struggles. Weber, meanwhile, has only established himself as a regular presence in the last year.
Still, the two had never been paired together for more than a few shifts before Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss ... Read the full article