Peterka - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ Kevyn Adams not interested in trading JJ Peterka; Buffalo makes recalls from Rochester

As Friday’s trade deadline approached, rumors swirled teams were interested in acquiring winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres.

Why wouldn’t they be? The 23-year-old is coming off a 28-goal campaign and has already set a new career high with 51 points in just 59 games this season.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams, however, has no plans to trade Peterka.... Read the full article

Sabres showcase weak effort in loss to lowly Sharks: ‘Too many passengers’

BUFFALO – As the Sabres recently found a bit of a groove, they played some games that made you wonder how the heck they fell into last place in the Eastern Conference.

They piled up goals, received strong goaltending and responded well when adversity hit.

But contests like Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the lowly San Jose Sharks, who rank dead last in the 32-team NHL, serve as a strong reminder why the Sabres dropped out ... Read the full article

Sabres showcase maturity, roar back to beat Ducks: ‘You see the change’

BUFFALO – In the not-so-distant past, a game like Tuesday’s 3-2 come-from-behind win over the Anaheim Ducks would’ve been a four-goal loss, Sabres winger Alex Tuch said.

By the third period, when the Sabres began roaring back from a 2-0 deficit, they would’ve been toast, having wilted earlier in the contest.

But they’ve matured over the last few months. Perhaps it’s too late to help them this season.

Even after earning their sixth win straight ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson practices, likely ready to play after suffering concussion

BUFFALO – On Monday, a day after New Jersey Devils pest Stefan Noesen hit Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win, the winger said he was starting to feel the effects of the concussion he suffered.

In the dressing room following the hit and later that night at home, Thompson, who returned to practice Friday, said he felt “totally fine.”

“Then second day it kind of hit me pretty ... Read the full article

After weak response to illegal hit on Tage Thompson, Sabres hold meeting: ‘Won’t happen again’

BUFFALO – No one would reveal any details of the meeting.

But on Monday, less than a day after an illegal hit knocked Tage Thompson out of their 4-3 win, the Sabres canceled practice and instead discussed why they did not go after Stefan Noesen following his suspension-worthy check to their leading scorer’s head.

“It was dealt with yesterday. Everything,” Sabres winger Alex Tuch said prior to Tuesday’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets ... Read the full article

Sabres eke out win over Devils, don’t go after Stefan Noesen following illegal hit on Tage Thompson

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff cut off a reporter, refusing to let him finish the question.

“Bull(crap). Bull(crap),” an agitated Ruff interjected when asked about the perception his team did not respond properly Sunday afternoon when New Jersey Devils winger Stefan Noesen hit leading scorer Tage Thompson in the head, knocking him out of the Sabres’ 4-3 win. “Let’s go. Next question.”

Ruff said Thompson, who scored one goal and three points as the ... Read the full article

Tage Thompson, JJ Peterka score hat tricks as Sabres throttle Bruins

BUFFALO – Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said he hasn’t asked Tage Thompson, his star center-turned-winger, if he’s over the injury that forced him to change positions.

Ruff doesn’t plan to find out, either. Not after Thompson and linemate JJ Peterka each recorded a hat trick, four points and a gaudy plus-6 rating alongside center Jiri Kulich in Tuesday’s 7-2 annihilation of the Boston Bruins.

Right now, Thompson is performing too dynamically at right wing to ... Read the full article

Ryan McLeod’s three goals help Sabres beat Hurricanes; Buffalo records zero shots in odd third period

BUFFALO – In these parts, there are rarely normal games. The Sabres, you see, often make things interesting. They like to do things differently.

In beating the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2 on Wednesday, they took a 3-0 lead into the third period before gutting out a much-needed win despite recording zero shots on goal in the final 20 minutes.

How did the Sabres score late without the benefit of a shot? Well, as center Ryan McLeod ... Read the full article

After feeling ‘little bit lost’ in his game, Sabres’ Alex Tuch busts out of slump

BUFFALO – As his slump dragged on and the losses piled up, Sabres winger Alex Tuch said he felt “a little bit lost” in his own game.

Tuch, 28, believes he often played too conservatively, focusing on his defense. He was simply trying not to be scored against before getting off the ice.

“Especially when you lose, you either go too far on your offense, too far on the defensive, and I think I wasn’t ... Read the full article

With rookie Jiri Kulich injured, Sabres recall prospect from Rochester

BUFFALO – Sabres rookie Jiri Kulich, who left Monday’s 4-3 shootout win after suffering a lower-body injury, will be sidelined week to week, coach Lindy Ruff said.

Kulich, 20, has showcased consistent development this season, earning trust from Ruff to be utilized for critical faceoffs and play center, his natural position.

“It’s a loss for us because of how well he had played in the middle and the speed he was generating,” Ruff said ... Read the full article