WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
The team presented Jason Pominville a silve sabre before the game. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Celebrations like the one the Sabres threw for Jason Pominville’s 1,000-game milestone often mean a long, distinguished career is entering its final stage.
These days, with 30 being considered old by NHL standards, very few players possess longevity like Pominville’s. Even fewer keep producing offense like they’re still in their mid-20s.
But right now, Pominville, a winger who has compiled 285 goals and 710 points over his NHL seasons, looks like he’s still ... Read the full article
Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark stops Mark Stone’s breakaway Saturday afternoon. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Watching your teammates throttle an opponent and pile up goal can be a negative and positive experience, Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark said.
“It’s both boring and really fun,” Ullmark said after making 27 saves in Saturday afternoon’s 9-2 win against the Ottawa Senators. “We had some really good goals today and guys battling up front, so that’s a lot of fun for me when I’m seeing that. …
“I’m happy as long as ... Read the full article
Linus Ullmark has started three games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Linus Ullmark will start this afternoon’s tilt against the Ottawa Senators, his first nod at home this season.
In three appearances, Ullmark is 2-0-1 with a 2.00 goals against average, a .935 save percentage and one shutout. The Swede hasn’t played since making 32 saves in last Saturday’s 5-4 road loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“I think he’s just been very comfortable in the net,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville has been skating on the first line. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Shortly before winger Jason Pominville started his milestone 1,000th NHL game Thursday, coach Phil Housley finished addressing the Sabres and briefly left the dressing room.
“Phil did his pregame speech and he’s like, ‘Wait, I forgot something,’” Pominville said Friday inside KeyBank Center.
When Housley returned, he brought Pominville’s wife, Kim, and two children, Jayden and Kaylee Rose, with him.
“When I saw them in the room, I almost had tears in my ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville celebrates a goal last week. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Of all the places it could’ve been played, it turns out Jason Pominville will hit the prestigious 1,000-game mark tonight in Ottawa, the site of the winger’s signature moment, the dynamic short-handed overtime goal against the powerhouse Senators that pushed the underdog Sabres into the 2006 Eastern Conference final.
“(I) had some great, great moments there, probably my best moment as a player there,” Pominville said earlier this week inside KeyBank Center. “The ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville expected a better season for the Sabres. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – Jason Pominville looked stunned. Mercifully, the Sabres closed out their home schedule Wednesday, and the finality of the most disappointing season in franchise history hit the veteran winger hard.
“I don’t think anyone really coming in envisioned this,” Pominville said after a 4-2 loss to the hapless Ottawa Senators secured the Sabres 31st place. “Certainly not myself, being on the outside coming in and hoping we’d be headed in the right direction.
“And ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander played his fifth NHL game Thursday. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Four or five months ago, it appeared slick Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander’s second pro season would be a dud.
In rookie camp, Nylander suffered a lower-body injury, costing him more than two months. The former eighth overall pick struggled following his season debut in mid-November, mustering only one goal and four points in his first 12 AHL outings.
But Nylander, 20, started turning a miserable campaign around early in the winter. The winger ... Read the full article
Kevin Porter won the Stanley Cup two years ago with Pittsburgh. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – In three seasons between his stints in the Sabres organization, forward Kevin Porter played 43 NHL games. One year, the former Hobey Baker Award winner stayed in the minors all season. In another one, he played just two contests.
But two years ago, Porter, 32, earned regular duty with the Pittsburgh Penguins, playing 41 contests before an ankle injury ended his season.
While Porter missed the playoffs, he experienced the Stanley Cup run ... Read the full article
Alexander Nylander has turned around his season. ©2018, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Four or five months ago, it appeared slick Sabres prospect Alexander Nylander’s second pro season would be a dud.
In rookie camp, Nylander suffered a lower-body injury, costing him more than two months. The former eighth overall pick struggled following his season debut in mid-November, mustering only one goal and four points in his first 12 AHL outings.
But Nylander, 20, started turning a miserable campaign around early in the winter. The winger ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville makes his voice heard. ©2018, Hickling Images
BUFFALO – It’s no secret Sabres winger Jason Pominville has lost a step. The popular veteran’s 35 years old. What else would you expect?
Earlier in his 13th season, the former NHL All-Star scored just once over a 34-game stretch.
While Pominville has produced some offensive – after scoring in two straight games, he has 14 goals – at this stage of his career, leadership is his greatest asset.... Read the full article
