Metsa - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres fall apart late, lose to Penguins; Jack Quinn continues hot stretch

PITTSBURGH – The dagger came just 31 seconds after Buffalo Sabres winger Jack Quinn’s goal tied Wednesday’s game against the Penguins.

After seemingly seizing the momentum at the 7:20 mark of the third period, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen lost his stick as the Penguins buzzed around him.

When Bryan Rust maneuvered into the right circle holding the puck, Luukkonen faced a shot he would routinely stop. But without his stick, Rust’s shot slid through his ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shines in win, could be seizing No. 1 job; Isak Rosen sent to Rochester

BUFFALO – It took more than six weeks – just over one-quarter of the season – for Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to make back-to-back starts.

The Finn missed time battling an injury, mind you. Still, if he was the best option most games, he would’ve taken over the net a long time ago.

The Sabres couldn’t wait for him to find his game, so he has been sharing time with Alex Lyon and rookie Colten ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Jack Quinn confident he can start scoring; Buffalo trims roster

BUFFALO – Over the past month, Sabres winger Jack Quinn has often fought what he called “a battle I kind of have within myself.”

Quinn, 24, carried a 13-game goal drought into Friday’s contest against the Chicago Blackhawks. He scored his last goal Oct. 22, his third in the first seven games.

“I’m very frustrated I haven’t scored,” Quinn said Friday morning in KeyBank Center. “But there’s also some positives I am creating.”

Actually, Quinn ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Zach Benson happy to be back after injury; Jason Zucker can play Friday following illness

BUFFALO – The oddest stretch of Zach Benson’s young career is likely over. The diminutive Sabres winger rejoined his teammates for Wednesday’s pregame skate and hopes he can play in the coming days.

Two injuries – a seemingly innocent cut that forced him to be hospitalized the day before the season opener and a lower-body ailment – have kept him out of 12 of the Sabres’ first 20 games, including the last nine after a ... Read the full article

Sabres could have four injured players back by end of week

BUFFALO – By the end of the week, the Sabres could have four injured players back in their lineup.

Defensemen Michael Kesselring and Jacob Bryson, goalie Colten Ellis and winger Jordan Greenway all practiced in contact jerseys Monday in KeyBank Center, where the Sabres host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Kesselring, who has missed the first nine games with an undisclosed injury, could make his Sabres debut against Columbus.... Read the full article

Sabres defeat Panthers with complete, heavy effort: ‘A lot of passion’

BUFFALO – Well, a lot can change in three days, huh? The Sabres, a laughingstock earlier in the week thanks to their dreadful 0-3-0 start, suddenly look like a contender in the crowded Eastern Conference.

To wit: fresh off a four-goal victory, the Sabres showcased a complete and heavy effort throughout Saturday’s emotional 3-0 triumph over the Florida Panthers, setting an aggressive tone all afternoon and also standing up for themselves physically.

Goalie Alex Lyon, ... Read the full article

Zach Metsa realizes unlikely NHL dream with recall to Sabres: ‘I was shocked’

BUFFALO – Zach Metsa beat incredibly long odds to reach the Sabres and fulfill his unlikely dream. After all, he’s an undrafted 5-foot-9 defenseman who spent his first two pro seasons playing on an AHL contract.

Two and a half years ago, less than a week after winning a national championship with Quinnipiac University, he signed that deal and joined the Rochester Americans on a tryout before it kicked in.

Today, Metsa, having been recalled ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Zach Metsa from Amerks, assign defenseman to Rochester

The Buffalo Sabres on Thursday swapped defensemen with the Rochester Americans, recalling Zach Metsa and sending Ryan Johnson to their AHL affiliate.

Metsa, 26, has never played in the NHL. The Amerks recently named him captain.

The undrafted Wisconsin native began his pro career on a two-year AHL contract before earning a two-year, two-way NHL deal during the offseason.... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Colten Ellis standing out in Buffalo, will get chance to play

BUFFALO – By his second season toiling away in the ECHL, Sabres goalie Colten Ellis said hockey began to feel like a job.

Ellis, 25, spent most his rookie year stopping pucks in Worcester, Massachusetts, before the St. Louis Blues assigned him to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for his second season.

Almost two years into his career, he had played just six games for the Springfield Thunderbirds, the Blues’ AHL affiliate.

He said he forgot to enjoy ... Read the full article