WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Offseason Edition
Jason Pominville had never skated in the First Niagara Center as an opponent before Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Once the initial shock of getting traded to the Minnesota Wild in April started wearing off, former Sabres captain Jason Pominville said he “really took a step back” and began examining his new gig.
Pominville was leaving a team beginning a rebuilding process for the upstart Wild, a club constructed to win the Stanley Cup immediately.
The Wild had just signed stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to huge twin contracts. Many believed ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville talks with some old friends this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Defenseman Henrik Tallinder will return tonight against popular former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild following a four-game absence.
With Tallinder (upper body) back from injured reserve, either rookie Rasmus Ristolainen or Alexander Sulzer, the spare defenders this morning, will be sent to Rochester, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
Update: Sulzer has been assigned to the AHL.
Meanwhile, backup goalie Jhonas Enroth will make his third start for the winless Sabres ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth made his first start Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – So, who’s starting in goal for the winless Sabres against the Tampa Bay Lightning?
“You’ll see tonight,” Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
Jhonas Enroth left the ice first following the morning skate, a sign the backup will likely receive his second straight nod with Ryan Miller nursing a sore groin.
Still, Miller participated fully in the skate and Matt Hackett, the organization’s No. 3 goalie... Read the full article
Ryan Miller was hurt Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ryan Miller wants to act cautiously. The Sabres goalie doesn’t want his mild groin injury dogging him all season.
“Three games into the season I didn’t want to create a bigger issue out of it,” Miller said today after taking some shots on the ice. “(I’m) just trying to get myself to the point where I don’t have to worry about the rest of the year instead of having something that keeps coming ... Read the full article
Alexander Sulzer played one game in the AHL. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Alexander Sulzer lasted one game – check that, one “really rough game,” the defenseman said – in the minors before the Buffalo Sabres recalled him.
In his first AHL appearance since April 14, 2010, Sulzer was a minus-3 in Rochester’s embarrassing 8-1 season-opening loss to Grand Rapids on Friday.
Still, with Henrik Tallinder (upper body) hurt, the Sabres summoned Sulzer, who was waived last Sunday, following the game for some insurance.
The ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett dressed for Saturday’s game. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Matt Hackett was home in Rochester, “about to pass out,” the goalie joked, when the phone rang around midnight Saturday.
Hackett had just been shelled in the Americans’ disastrous 8-1 season-opening loss to Grand Rapids, allowing six goals on 30 shots in just 36:35 before mercifully getting yanked.
The 23-year-old wasn’t expecting a recall to the Buffalo Sabres hours later.
“Never seen getting called up for six goals,” Hackett said Saturday afternoon prior ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett played poorly Friday in Rochester. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Matt Hackett was home in Rochester, “about to pass out,” the goalie joked, when the phone rang around midnight.
Hackett had just been shelled in the Americans’ disastrous 8-1 season-opening loss, allowing six goals on 30 shots in just 36:35 before mercifully getting yanked.
The 23-year-old wasn’t expecting a recall to the Buffalo Sabres.
“Never seen getting called up for six goals,” Hackett said this afternoon after participating in the Sabres’ optional skate ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis (63) and goalie Ryan Miller try to fend off Ottawa’s Chris Neil on Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Don’t let the close score, the Sabres’ bevy of prime scoring chances or Ryan Miller’s brilliant goaltending performance overshadow a pretty wretched effort.
“We didn’t play a very good hockey game at the end of the day,” a visibly agitated Ron Rolston said Friday following the Sabres’ exciting 1-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators in the home opener inside the First Niagara Center.
The coach acknowledged the obvious, saying Miller, whose scintillating 45-save ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett allowed six goals Friday. ©2013, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
BUFFALO – Why do the Sabres, who play the Penguins tonight in Pittsburgh, need another goalie?
Matt Hackett left the Blue Cross War Memorial on Friday with his equipment following Rochester’s ugly 8-1 loss to Grand Rapids and has been recalled, the Democrat and Chronicle’s Kevin Oklobzija reported.
Goalie Ryan Miller dazzled during the Sabres’ 1-0 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Friday and spoke with reporters following his 45-save effort. Backup Jhonas ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno could practice today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With a muscle strain sidelining winger Marcus Foligno, the 23 players on the ice Monday – 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies – could comprise the Sabres’ opening-night roster, coach Ron Rolston said.
Foligno, who was injured last Sunday in Toronto, was placed on injured reserve Monday. The Sabres had to hit the 23-man roster limit by 5 p.m.
Rolston said Foligno could practice today. Still, he’s likely out for Wednesday’s ... Read the full article
