Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall Justin Bailey from Amerks

With rookie winger Hudson Fasching battling a groin injury, the Buffalo Sabres recalled Justin Bailey from the Rochester Americans this morning.

The Sabres play a road game against the Minnesota Wild tonight.

Bailey, 21, has three goals and four points in seven AHL games this season. The Williamsville native played eight games as a rookie with the Sabres last season, compiling zero points. He had 20 goals and 45 points in 70 games with the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart finally scores first goal

BUFFALO – As the seven-game mark approached, Sabres forward Sam Reinhart figured after all his missed opportunities, his first goal would be fluky.

“The way the year has been going, that’s the way the first one had to go in, because the chances have been there,” Reinhart said after scoring a power-play goal late in Saturday afternoon’s 3-0 win against the Florida Panthers inside KeyBank Center.

Sure enough, 8:48 into the third period, Reinhart tried ... Read the full article

Sabres notes: Wild’s Jason Pominville still versatile presence

BUFFALO – Minnesota Wild winger Jason Pominville thought for a moment, scanned his mind for some names. The former Sabres captain came up with two.

“Uh, like, Foligno, Ennis,” Pominville said Thursday prior to the Wild’s 4-0 win inside KeyBank Center. “Umm, that might be it.”

That’s it. Only two players from Pominville’s long tenure here, which ended April 3, 2013, are still with the Sabres: wingers Tyler Ennis and Marcus Foligno.

“There’s not ... Read the full article

Sabres know they must improve at home

BUFFALO – It’s simple, really. If the Sabres have any hope of making the playoffs, they must become a strong home team, something they haven’t been in years.

The Sabres, who host the Minnesota Wild tonight at KeyBank Center, are 0-1 at home this season. They went 16-19-6 last season, when only two teams earned fewer home wins.

“It’s something we didn’t do last year and something we talked about doing this year, making this ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Sam Reinhart happy with move to center

BUFFALO – It was only a matter of time before Sam Reinhart switched positions.

With center Jack Eichel injured, Sabres coach Dan Bylsma loaded up his top line early, keeping Reinhart at right wing, this time beside Ryan O’Reilly and Kyle Okposo.

Reinhart, however, produced only two assists in four games. The 1-2-1 Sabres, meanwhile, have just 11 goals as a team, six of them in one outing.

They clearly miss the talented ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Robin Lehner sick; Anders Nilsson to get first start

BUFFALO – Before practice started this morning, goalie coach Andrew Allen, 40, was on the ice in full gear putting a few players through some paces, a sign one of the Sabres’ regulars was unavailable.

It turns out No. 1 goalie Robin Lehner is sick and unavailable for Tuesday’s tilt in Philadelphia, coach Dan Bylsma said.

“Hoping he would pull through this morning,” Bylsma said inside KeyBank Center.

Bylsma said backup Anders Nilsson will make ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Hudson Fasching, Casey Nelson; Top line changed

BUFFALO – Some quick update from KeyBank Center, where the Sabres practiced for about an hour today after returning home from Vancouver early Friday morning:

– The Sabres recalled winger Hudson Fasching and defenseman Casey Nelson from the Rochester Americans this morning.

The rookies, who practiced today, played two weekend games, their first-ever AHL appearances. Both scored Friday. Nelson has been scratched the last three NHL games; Fasching has sat the last two.

“I felt ... Read the full article

Sabres send 3 rookies to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent rookies Nick Baptiste, Hudson Fasching and Casey Nelson to the Rochester Americans this afternoon.

The Sabres don’t play again until Tuesday, when they close a four-game road trip in Philadelphia. The Amerks play tonight at home and Saturday in Binghamton.

Baptiste, a winger, played his first two NHL games earlier this week, scoring his first NHL goal in Thursday’s 2-1 loss in Vancouver.

Meanwhile, Fasching, a winger, and ... Read the full article

Former Sabre Matt Ellis happy in retirement, excited for future

BUFFALO – As last season unfolded, popular former Sabres forward Matt Ellis sensed the inevitable end to his long and unlikely career.

At times, Ellis, 35, said he felt like a spare part with the Rochester Americans, a victim of age and a changing game. AHL veteran rules often forced him to sit out as a healthy scratch. The adversity, he believes, tested his character and how badly he wanted to keep playing.

“There ... Read the full article

Amerks’ Tyson Strachan offers Sabres depth

BUFFALO – Tyson Strachan’s only human, you know. So while the veteran said his confidence never wavered looking for work during the summer, thoughts about his uncertain future crept into his head.

As the weeks dragged on without a contract, the gritty former Sabres defenseman wondered if he might have to play overseas or complete his degree at Ohio State University.

“I’d be lying to say those things don’t come into your mind,” Strachan said ... Read the full article