Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres fondly recall world junior championship memories

TORONTO – Five years ago, Buffalo Sabres center Tyler Ennis figured he had a good chance to earn a coveted spot on Team Canada’s world junior championship squad.

The 24-year-old was one of his country’s most electrifying junior talents, a first-round draft pick in the midst of a dynamic 43-goal, 85-point season with the Medicine Hat Tigers. He felt he had enjoyed a strong training camp.

But, Ennis said, “Anything can happen.” Canada always has ... Read the full article

Watch: Amerks’ Frederick Roy loses his cool after getting tossed from game

It’s no secret Buffalo Sabres prospect Frederick Roy possesses his father’s legendary fire. The 22-year-old, despite being listed at an undersized 5-foot-10 and 170 pounds, doesn’t back down from anyone.

That’s part of what made Patrick Roy arguably the greatest goalie ever. That might help Frederick Roy crack the NHL someday as a fourth-liner.

The Rochester Americans winger is emotional and fearless.

But sometimes, like his father, the younger Roy really loses his cool.

Take ... Read the full article

Flu bug forces the Sabres to play short-handed, utilize tough guy John Scott

BUFFALO – Good thing the NHL’s three-day Christmas break begins today. A flu bug ravaging through the Sabres forced them to dress only 16 skaters for Monday’s 2-1 overtime win against the Phoenix Coyotes inside the First Niagara Center.

The Sabres scratched forwards Marcus Foligno, Ville Leino and Linus Omark and defenseman Alexander Sulzer, all of whom played Saturday.

With just 10 forwards available, interim coach Ted Nolan switched tough guy John Scott, a winger ... Read the full article

Several Sabres under weather prior to game against Coyotes

BUFFALO – The flu bug is going around the Sabres, so several players couldn’t even get to the rink this morning, interim coach Ted Nolan said.

It’s unclear what the lineup will look like tonight against the Phoenix Coyotes inside the First Niagara Center.

“We’re hoping that they’re ready to go,” Nolan said. “Four or five called in this morning and said they couldn’t make it out of bed. So we’re hoping by game time ... Read the full article

Bruins’ Brad Marchand on Sabres’ Ted Nolan: ‘I don’t think I’d be here today if he didn’t coach me that year’

BUFFALO – Ted Nolan only coached Boston Bruins pest Brad Marchand one season, 88 total games in 2005-06. Still, the year under the interim Sabres coach changed his career.

Marchand was 17 years old, heading into his draft season, when Nolan took over the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League’s Moncton Wildcats.

“He really helped me understand more about the pro life, how the pros have to play the game and what you have to do ... Read the full article

Fourth line giving Sabres strong minutes, creating energy and offense

BUFFALO – Today’s NHL is too fast-paced to play two or three lines consistently, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. A balanced attack is needed.

“You need that fourth line to eat up some minutes for you,” Nolan said Wednesday after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against the Boston Bruins inside the First Niagara Center.

In the best performance by the Sabres’ fourth line in a long time, the hardworking combination of Kevin Porter... Read the full article

Mark Pysyk not playing in Spengler Cup with Amerks

BUFFALO – OK, so defenseman Mark Pysyk won’t be accompanying the Rochester Americans to Switzerland for the Spengler Cup next week.

“He’ll be back when they leave,” interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

The Amerks leave Monday.

Nolan said Tuesday that Pysyk’s AHL assignment would be brief, although his words made it sound like the 21-year-old, an NHL regular all season, would be playing in the overseas tournament.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Ted Nolan says Mark Pysyk’s stay with Amerks will be short

BUFFALO – Mark Pysyk’s assignment to Rochester won’t last long, interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said. The rookie defenseman will be back after the Americans participate in the upcoming Spengler Cup tournament in Switzerland.

Nolan said the steady Pysyk, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, is capable of playing in the NHL right now.

“But is he at the mature level we think he can be? Not yet,” Nolan said Tuesday ... Read the full article

Ted Nolan says Mark Pysyk will be back with Sabres soon

Nolan said the solid Pysyk, one of the Sabres’ few bright spots this season, is capable of playing in the NHL right now.

“But is he at the mature level we think he can be? Not yet,” Nolan said this ... Read the full article

Sabres assign 3, recall 2 from Amerks, including rookie Mark Pysyk

BUFFALO – The Sabres changed up their roster this morning, sending three players to Rochester and recalling two.

Gone, most surprisingly, is rookie Mark Pysyk, who had played 31 games and was arguably the steadiest defenseman at times. The Sabres also assigned rookie defenseman Brayden McNabb and winger Luke Adam to the Americans.

Veteran forward Kevin Porter and rookie defenseman Chad Ruhwedel have been recalled.

The Sabres host the Winnipeg Jets tonight inside the ... Read the full article