Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres recall Tim Schaller from Amerks

BUFFALO – With forwards Cody McCormick and Drew Stafford injured, the Sabres recalled center Tim Schaller from Rochester this afternoon.

Schaller made his NHL debut in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win in Montreal. To create room for Schaller, the Sabres placed McCormick on injured reserved.

The 24-year-old Schaller has six goals and 15 points in 20 games with the AHL Americans this season.

McCormick is still undergoing concussion protocol. Stafford has a lower-body injury.... Read the full article

Cody McCormick out against Lightning; Sabres could make recall

BUFFALO – After participating fully in this morning’s skate, Sabres forward Cody McCormick left the ice and spoke to reporters about his recovery from a possible concussion.

It was assumed McCormick, out since Eric Fehr’s skate hit him in the head Nov. 22 in Washington, would return tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightning inside the First Niagara Center.

But McCormick will miss his fourth straight game. With winger Drew Stafford out (lower body), the Sabres ... Read the full article

Sabres send Tim Schaller back to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent center Tim Schaller back to the AHL Rochester Americans this afternoon.

Schaller made his NHL debut in Saturday’s 4-3 shootout win in Montreal, skating 11 minutes, 52 seconds.

Center Cody McCormick (possible concussion) or Drew Stafford (lower body) could return Tuesday when the Sabres host Tampa Bay.... Read the full article

Sabres recall Tim Schaller from Amerks

BUFFALO – With winger Drew Stafford questionable for tonight’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury, the Sabres have recalled center Tim Schaller from the Rochester Americans.

The undrafted 24-year-old has never played in the NHL.

He has six goals, 15 points and 20 penalty minutes in 20 games this year. The Sabres gave the New Hampshire native a long looking during training camp.

Schaller has 17 goals, 33 points and 58 penalty minutes ... Read the full article

Sabres score fluky goal late, beat Canadiens

BUFFALO – One Sabres goal was scintillating, the kind destined to become a highlight-reel staple. The other goal was, well, pure luck, a rare bounce off the glass.

“That’s the way hockey goes,” winger Tyler Ennis, whose slick goal opened the scoring, said Friday following the Sabres’ 2-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens. “It doesn’t matter how it goes in, as long as we get the win we’re happy.”

The Sabres were a happy ... Read the full article

Sabres’ defense slowly improving, still mistake-prone

BUFFALO – Twenty-two games into the season, the Sabres’ weak and often sloppy defense corps has combined for two goals, 20 points and a minus-41 rating entering tonight’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

As evidenced by the Sabres’ recent three-game winning streak, a stretch in which they allowed only four goals, the defense has looked much better – sturdier, you might say – during some contests this month.

Still, it’s a mistake-prone group. And with ... Read the full article

Sabres have special memories of Pat Quinn; Michal Neuvirth ready to return

BUFFALO – Three Sabres – winger Tyler Ennis, center Cody Hodgson and defenseman Tyler Myers – played for former NHL coach and executive Pat Quinn, an iconic figure who died Sunday at 71 following a long illness.

Quinn coached the players to a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2009 world junior championship in Ottawa.

“He was awesome for us,” Ennis this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center.

Canada hasn’t won gold since, something ... Read the full article

Sabres send goalie Nathan Lieuwen to Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres sent goalie Nathan Lieuwen back to Rochester today.

That could mean goalie Michal Neuvirth, out since suffering a lower-body injury Tuesday, is healthy.

With Lieuwen backing up, Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth made 43 saves in Saturday’s 2-1 win in Washington.

Lieuwen has struggled badly with the AHL Americans this season, going 3-4 with a 3.53 goals against average and .876 save percentage.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Nathan Lieuwen’s stay in Buffalo could be brief

BUFFALO – Closures from Winter Storm Knife have been blocking the quickest route from Rochester to Buffalo, the New York State Thruway.

So upon getting summoned to the NHL on Wednesday, Sabres goalie Nathan Lieuwen had to find a different path here.

“I kind of got some advice,” Lieuwen said Thursday inside the First Niagara Center.

Armed with a map, the 23-year-old took Route 104, a roadway close to Lake Ontario.

Lieuwen said his trip ... Read the full article

Patrick Kaleta still absent from Sabres

BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres practiced minus one player today, winger Patrick Kaleta, who’s stuck in his Hamburg home with Winter Storm Knife still decimating the area.

Update: Friday’s game against the New York Rangers has been postponed.

“Hockey seems like a very small thing when the city’s going through something that we’re going through right now,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan said this afternoon inside the First Niagara Center. “We’re just hoping that not ... Read the full article