WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Mikhail Grigorenko practiced with the Sabres today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko figured he’d be starting a two-week AHL conditioning assignment today. The 19-year-old Sabres prospect had already dropped his equipment off at the rink and checked into a Rochester hotel when a team front office member contacted him at 10 p.m. Tuesday.
The NHL had rejected the assignment.
Grigorenko drove back to Buffalo and practiced with the Sabres today.
What happened?
“You read the rules and see how they work,” interim Sabres ... Read the full article
The Sabres traded Derek Roy in July 2012. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Derek Roy had some hard feelings against the Sabres after they traded him to Dallas in July 2012. The sometimes-slick center had just told former general manager Darcy Regier he wanted to stay in town.
The 30-year-old felt he had some unfinished business here.
“I thought we had a great team,” Roy said Tuesday prior to the St. Louis Blues’ 4-1 win against the Sabres, his first game back at the First ... Read the full article
Steve Ott buries his second-period goal past Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier on Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It might as well have been opening night again inside the First Niagara Center. Twenty-one games into the season, the Sabres started over Friday, performing like a new, refreshed team in their first game under interim coach Ted Nolan, an exciting 3-1 triumph against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nolan told the Sabres he was wiping the slate clean and didn’t care about their awful start under Ron Rolston, who was fired ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan was a happy coach Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was going to be a special weekend trip to New York. Ted Nolan and his wife, Sandra, would celebrate her birthday and watch their son, Jordan, play for the Los Angeles Kings.
Nolan also wanted to see “The Book of Mormon” musical on Broadway. So he recently called Pat LaFontaine, a close friend with a ticket connection.
“I said, ‘Teddy, you better get ready for the show. It’s a pretty interesting show,’” ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan will coach the Sabres tonight for the first time since May 11, 1997. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s loud voice boomed throughout the ice during the Sabres’ lively 60-minute practice Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. The interim coach kept encouraging his players, even following them during the up-tempo drills.
The Sabres responded to the fast pace, showcasing much more energy and emotion than they had under Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday in a major shakeup.
Players tapped sticks, hooted and hollered. Most importantly, they seemed to ... Read the full article
John Scott (32) will face Toronto tonight for the first time since a preseason brawl. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ever since Sabres tough guy John Scott ignited a brawl going after Toronto Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel 54 days ago, tonight’s tilt between longtime rivals has been circled on the schedule.
What’s going to happen? Will there be another melee like the Sept. 22 preseason contest? Will there be any kind of retribution?
Based on what both teams said Thursday, don’t expect any craziness to transpire as the home-and-home set begins.
“If ... Read the full article
John Scott hasn’t played since his seven-game suspension ended. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s voice was a constant throughout the Sabres’ lively 60-minute practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center. The interim coach kept encouraging his players, even following them during the up-tempo drills.
The Sabres responded, showcasing more energy and emotion than they had under Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday.
“It was really fast,” Sabres winger Tyler Ennis said about Nolan’s first real practice. “We moved through things quickly. It was ... Read the full article
Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan (left) talks with Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter on Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he’s a straightforward type of guy. So after taking over as interim coach Wednesday, the 55-year-old requested one thing from the Sabres, whose work ethic has been lacking during their awful 4-15-1 start.
“The only thing I asked is you compete,” Nolan, the Sabres’ coach from 1995-97, said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “Some guys play 25 minutes. Some guys play three minutes. To work for three minutes, ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan chats with the media this afternoon. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he’s a straightforward type of guy. So after taking over as the Sabres’ interim coach today, the 55-year-old requested one thing from his new players, whose work ethic has been lacking during their awful 4-15-1 start.
“The only thing I asked is you compete,” Nolan, the Sabres’ coach from 1995-97, said following practice this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “Some guys play 25 minutes. Some guys play three ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller stops Los Angeles’ Dwight King on Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Seconds after Tyler Ennis’ shootout goal secured the Sabres’ first home win this season, the slick center found franchise goalie Ryan Miller in the wild celebration scrum.
Miller had just finished another dynamic performance Tuesday, making 43 saves and two shootout stops in the Sabres’ 3-2 triumph against the Los Angeles Kings inside the First Niagara Center.
Ennis has been Miller’s friend and teammate five seasons, including the end of his scintillating 2009-10 ... Read the full article