WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
January Edition
Phil Housley has represented Team USA his entire career. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Phil Housley’s ties to USA Hockey run deep.
The Sabres coach, a Hall of Fame defenseman, represented his country at tournaments 11 times during his playing career, including one Olympics, the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. Housley has also coached Team USA at six tournaments, winning a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship.... Read the full article
Ryan O’Reilly celebrates with Jack Eichel on Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It would’ve been one of the Sabres’ most rewarding wins all season.
Shortly after Ryan O’Reilly’s own goal put the Anaheim Ducks up late Tuesday, the center redeemed himself, tying the contest with 15 seconds left in regulation.
But instead of seizing the momentum, the disjointed Sabres imploded again before the announced crowd of 16,788 inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
Johan Larsson had never been suspended before. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL has suspended Sabres center Johan Larsson two games for cross-checking center Vincent Trocheck in the face late in Thursday’s 4-2 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Larsson will miss two home contests: Saturday’s against the St. Louis Blues and Tuesday’s against the Anaheim Ducks.
NHL Player Safety conducted a hearing with Larsson today and announced the decision late this afternoon.... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo eyes a puck in front of New Jersey goalie Keith Kinkaid on Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Now back to reality.
Fresh off three straight road wins in which they outscored their opponents 11-1, the Sabres, looked like, well, a 30th-place team at home again Tuesday, losing a 3-1 clunker to the New Jersey Devils.
Instead of showcasing what made them successful during their best road trip in years – the Sabres allowed zero even-strength goals – they reverted to their old form, dropping their 16th home game in 22 ... Read the full article
Josh Gorges battles Ottawa’s Jean-Gabriel Pageau on Dec. 12. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Barely one minute into Thursday’s 4-3 road loss to the New York Rangers, Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe whiffed on a loose puck in the neutral zone and started chasing speedy winger Rick Nash.
When Nash hit the blue line, McCabe knew he couldn’t catch the 400-goal scorer. Nash roared in alone and beat goalie Robin Lehner just 1:24 into the tilt.
For the 26th time in 45 games this season, the Sabres let ... Read the full article
Benoit Pouliot (67) celebrates his goal in Thursday’s win with Kyle Okposo (21) and Brendan Guhle (45). ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Six days ago, the Sabres began their bye week on a rare high note, earning only their 11th win in 44 tries by beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1.
The Sabres, of course, fell out of the playoff race a long time ago. Still, the confidence the rare victory generated carried through the break.
When the Sabres convened for practice this morning, coach Phil Housley noticed his team’s jump.... Read the full article
Winnipeg’s Jacob Trouba (8) and Jordan Nolan battle Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Phil Housley spoke in measured tones following the Sabres’ fifth straight loss, an ugly 7-4 shellacking from the Winnipeg Jets. The rookie coach, even in trying times, never raises his voice.
But Tuesday’s embarrassing effort left Housley seething. He looked agitated talking about the Sabres’ 33rd defeat, a game not as close as the score might indicate.
Forty-three games into another lost season, the hapless Sabres are arguably the NHL’s worst team. Right ... Read the full article
Brendan Guhle spent three months in Rochester. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Earlier this season, as injuries decimated the blue line and the Sabres kept rookie Brendan Guhle in Rochester, the plan for their top defense prospect became evident.
The Sabres wanted Guhle to pay his dues, quietly develop in the AHL and eventually earn a recall.
“We were going through a tough stretch there, where you think about bringing guys up, we had some capable defensemen back there,” coach Phil Housley said Monday after ... Read the full article
Brendan Guhle has played 30 games in Rochester this seasson. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Early on, as injuries decimated the blue line and rookie Brendan Guhle stayed in Rochester, the Sabres’ plan for their top defense prospect became obvious.
“We were going through a tough stretch there … (and) we had some capable defensemen back there, we were giving them an opportunity to see what they can bring to our team,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said this afternoon inside KeyBank Center. “They were winning hockey games (in ... Read the full article
Jake McCabe has scored two goals in the last five games. ©2017, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Zero goals scored by a defense corps over a two-month stretch would be surprising for any NHL team, but one coached by Phil Housley, how could that happen?
Housley, of course, is a Hall of Famer who scored 338 goals, the fourth-highest total among defensemen in NHL history. The Sabres coach once scored 31 times in a season.
But Housley’s defense has produced just two goals this season entering tonight’s tilt against the ... Read the full article