Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Sabres’ critical late-season tilt against Pens could be wildly entertaining

BUFFALO – Give it a shot. Try drawing up a better late-season NHL matchup. The Sabres’ tilt against the powerhouse Pittsburgh Penguins tonight could make for a wildly entertaining three hours inside the First Niagara Center.

This one promises to be action-packed and fun, folks.

The scorching Sabres, having climbed into eighth place Tuesday, are roaring toward another unlikely playoff appearance. They’ve won five straight games and seven of the last nine, piling up goals ... Read the full article

Sabres send Travis Turnbull back to Rochester

BUFFALO – With winger Patrick Kaleta back from his three-absence – he’s wearing a cast on his right hand and reportedly has a broken thumb – the Sabres have returned Travis Turnbull to Rochester.

The rookie center scored his first NHL goal and fought once subbing for the agitator.

Kaleta, meanwhile, played only his 58^th game this season Tuesday in Washington.

“It’s exciting,” Kaleta told reporters in Washington. “I honestly don’t really like sitting ... Read the full article

First NHL recall ‘best thing’ Sabres rookie Turnbull has ever heard

BUFFALO – Travis Turnbull said he never stopped believing he’d crack the NHL someday. Still, the odds looked stacked against the undrafted center. The Sabres possess a slew of talented youngsters and high-priced veterans in Rochester.

The 25-year-old Turnbull’s name has rarely popped up as a prospect since he was inked out of the University of Michigan in 2009.

The Sabres had already summoned six forwards from the AHL this season when Turnbull’s phone rang ... Read the full article

Scorching Sabres rookie Foligno off to historic start

BUFFALO – NHL success can be fleeting, especially for 20-year-olds thrown headfirst into a ferocious postseason race. Today’s hero can quickly become overwhelmed the next day.

With five goals and seven points just six games into his career, winger Marcus Foligno’s already enjoying one of the greatest rookie stretches in the Sabres’ 41-year history.

Only Phil Housley (nine points, 1982-83) and Ray Sheppard (seven, 1987-88) have tallied seven or more points in their first six ... Read the full article

Sabres sign Varone to entry-level deal

BUFFALO – The Sabres have signed forward prospect Phil Varone to a three-year, entry-level contract, the club announced Monday.

The 21-year-old rookie has turned heads in Rochester this season, compiling a team-best 43 points and 35 assists. His assist total ranks fourth among AHL rookies and 15th overall. He ranks 12th in freshman scoring.

Varone attended Sabres training camp on a tryout before earning a one-year AHL contract.

Varone, 5-foot-10 and 186 pounds, enjoyed a ... Read the full article

Lindy Ruff feels Tyler Myers’ 3-game suspension ‘a little harsh’

BUFFALO – Lindy Ruff said he “was surprised, disappointed” that the NHL banned Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers three games for ramming Montreal’s Scott Gomez into the boards from behind.

Both the coach and Myers knew the boarding penalty Monday, which concussed Gomez, would probably earn a suspension. But three games for a player with a clean record?

“I felt that as a first-time offender it was a little harsh,” Ruff said Wednesday prior to the ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Myers banned 3 games for Gomez hit

BUFFALO – Uh-oh. Starting tonight, the ninth-place Sabres will be missing star defenseman Tyler Myers for three straight games during their furious fight for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.

Early Tuesday night, the NHL suspended Myers for ramming Scott Gomez’s head into the boards from behind Monday in the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime win against the Montreal Canadiens.

“At no point during Myers’ approach to the check does he see anything other than Gomez’s back,” ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Foligno plans special goal jump to honor father

BUFFALO – Don’t fret, Sabres fans. The Foligno jump is coming. It’ll just have to take place following Marcus Foligno’s second goal.

The top prospect planned to honor his father, popular former Sabres captain Mike Foligno, by leaping into the air to celebrate his first big league score.

Mike jumped after about every one of his 355 goals from 1979-94. Marcus’ brother Nick Foligno, a Senators winger, paid homage once as a rookie in 2007.... Read the full article

Sabres’ Vanek questionable for tonight’s tilt

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Thomas Vanek, who left Thursday’s 3-1 loss in Boston after the Bruins’ Johnny Boychuk leveled him, is questionable (upper body) for tonight’s game in Ottawa against the Senators.

“Thomas is doing OK,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Friday in Ottawa. “I can’t answer that question (if Vanek will play). I think it all just depends on how he’s feeling tomorrow.”

Vanek didn’t practice Friday. Neither did winger Patrick Kaleta, who ... Read the full article

Sabres loan Schiestel from Amerks

BUFFALO – Last winter, Sabres defense prospect Drew Schiestel earned an AHL All-Star berth.

With 23 points and a gaudy plus-15 rating in Portland, a recall seemed inevitable for the 59^th pick in 2007. Then, two games before the big tilt, Schiestel tore his ACL, shelving him for the season.

The 22-year-old hurt his knee again on opening night for Rochester this season, his first appearance in eight months.

On Tuesday, the Sabres loaned ... Read the full article