Peterka - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres ride hot start, Alex Tuch’s hat trick to win over Blackhawks

BUFFALO – Alex Tuch’s estimate was just a bit off. Following his slick three-goal performance in Friday’s 6-2 annihilation of the Chicago Blackhawks, the Sabres winger said scoring his first goal at home in “several months” took a monkey off his back.

In reality, Tuch had last scored Nov. 29 in KeyBank Center. Given the Sabres’ recent 13-game winless skid and his own struggles, that probably feels like months ago.

“Doing it in front of ... Read the full article

Sabres don’t get breaks against Maple Leafs, lose 12th straight game

BUFFALO – Considering the Sabres’ sorry state these days, their quick response to the Toronto Maple Leafs’ goal 89 seconds into Friday’s 6-3 loss was notable.

Early in their 12th consecutive loss, the Sabres countered after Bobby McMann scored, seemingly tying the game at the 2:34 mark when winger Alex Tuch converted linemate Jason Zucker’s nifty pass.

Then following the celebration, the officials huddled. What was going on?

A linesperson saw Zucker’s stick hit Toronto ... Read the full article

Time as healthy scratch helped Sabres’ Jack Quinn find legs, score two goals

MONTREAL – The most trying stretch of Jack Quinn’s career ended 63 seconds into Sunday afternoon’s 5-3 loss, when the Buffalo Sabres winger navigated to open space in the left circle, grabbed JJ Peterka’s pass and unleashed a wicked wrist shot.

Quinn needed 25 games, 44 shots on goal and was scratched six times before he beat a goalie for the first time this year.

“Just nice to see one go in, take some ... Read the full article

Sabres’ streak hits 10 games with loss to Maple Leafs: ‘Toughest solve I’ve been around’

TORONTO – Lindy Ruff has coached 1,805 games over 24 seasons. He has led Buffalo Sabres teams that went bankrupt during the season and that came within two wins of a Stanley Cup victory.

Ruff, 64, has experienced just about everything during his long and distinguished career. He has won 875 games, the fifth-highest total in NHL history, and led three franchises to the playoffs.

He has always found a way to get his teams ... Read the full article

Sabres’ losing streak hits eight games; Owen Power, JJ Peterka benched

BUFFALO – If you’re counting, after Wednesday’s 3-2 loss to the New York Rangers, the Sabres have six-one goal losses during their bizarre eight-game skid.

They’ve blown multi-goal leads and had a couple of wretched outings over the last two weeks. Still, during a stunning stretch in which they’ve lost seven times at home following a 3-0-0 trip to California, they’ve played well enough to win several games.

“What, six one-goal games?” said Sabres winger ... Read the full article

James Reimer likely starter versus Red Wings; Sabres could make changes

BUFFALO – It appears veteran goalie James Reimer, who did not participate in the Sabres’ optional skate this morning, will start tonight’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, one of his former teams.

No. 1 goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen skated this morning and also stayed on the ice for extra work following Sunday’s practice.

“I’m not announcing the goalie today,” coach Lindy Ruff, whose Sabres have lost six straight games (0-4-2), said this morning in KeyBank ... Read the full article

Sabres rookie Tyson Kozak scores first NHL goal with mother in rink; Buffalo could make lineup changes

BUFFALO – This one couldn’t be taken away from Sabres rookie Tyson Kozak, right? No one interfered with the goalie. No one was offside.

Early in his second NHL game Saturday afternoon, Kozak, 21, zoomed to the net and redirected linemate Beck Malenstyn’s pass behind Utah Hockey Club goalie Karel Vejmelka.

“I had a pretty good feeling it wouldn’t (be disallowed),” said Kozak, whose go-ahead goal in his big league debut Thursday was called ... Read the full article

Sabres implode in third period, suffer stunning loss to Avalanche; Rasmus Dahlin leaves game injured

BUFFALO – The onslaught ended 11:49 into the game, when Sabres winger Beck Malenstyn grabbed linemate Nicolas Aube-Kubel’s pass at the edge the slot, skated in and tucked a backhander past Colorado Avalanche goalie Alexandar Georgiev.

Malenstyn’s goal on the Sabres’ eighth shot extended their lead to 4-0 and put the wonky Georgiev on the bench for the rest of Tuesday’s contest.

Even with 48 minutes remaining against one of the NHL’s heavyweights, it felt ... Read the full article

Sabres’ JJ Peterka struggling to score; Rasmus Dahlin leaves practice early

BUFFALO – With about 80 seconds remaining in Wednesday’s 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild and the Sabres pressing for the tying goal, winger Alex Tuch created a juicy rebound by tipping center Tage Thompson’s shot on net.

Winger JJ Peterka, who was lurking nearby, quickly pounced on the loose puck between the left circle and crease and narrowly missed tying the game.

“Just jumped there, tried to hit the net and I just missed ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Tage Thompson says he’s ready to return from lower-body injury

BUFFALO – In Tage Thompson’s absence, the Sabres have done well, going 4-1-0 and winning all three stops last week in California without their top center.

By the end of the trip, Thompson, who said he’s “ready to go” for tonight’s home game against the Minnesota Wild, told the Sabres he would play if they needed him.

Still, they held him out of Friday’s 3-2 overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks and Saturday’s 4-2 victory ... Read the full article