WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
March Edition
Brian Flynn played collegiately at Maine. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled rookie Brian Flynn from Rochester early tonight, a curious move with 12 forwards believed to be healthy.
Sabres winger Thomas Vanek sat out practice today, although interim coach Ron Rolston said the team’s leading scorer was enjoying a maintenance day.
The 24-year-old Flynn, a college free agent from Maine, has been arguably the Americans’ biggest surprise this season, scoring a team-high 16 goals and 32 points in 45 games.
Flynn, ... Read the full article
Cory Conacher played for the Syracuse Crunch earlier this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Count interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston among those impressed by slick Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Cory Conacher, a Canisius College product.
Rolston watched the 5-foot-8 forward play for the Syracuse Crunch several times earlier this season while coaching the Rochester Americans. Conacher, in Rolston’s mind, showcases a style similar to diminutive Lightning star Martin St. Louis, one of the most prolific scorers in recent history.
“He’s very dynamic, much like St. Louis,” ... Read the full article
Adam Pardy played for the Sabres on Feb. 5. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ injury and on-ice woes could help defenseman Adam Pardy, an NHL regular before numbers kicked him back to the minors this season, carve out a spot on the blue line.
With Jordan Leopold (hand) and Alexander Sulzer (lower body) sidelined, the Sabres on Monday summoned Pardy from Rochester for the second time this season.
He should play tonight in Tampa Bay against the Lightning, the start of a two-game Florida ... Read the full article
An undisclosed injury will shelve Alexander Sulzer (52) Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Right now, the belief among the reeling, 15th-place Sabres is low. With very few positives to build on during their four-game losing streak, the Sabres are simply hoping to win games, interim coach Ron Rolston said this morning.
“There’s two things,” Rolston said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “You go into hockey games and some teams hope they’re going to win, and some teams know they’re going to win ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek is sitting out practice this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Leading scorer Thomas Vanek and defenseman Alexander Sulzer, who left Saturday’s 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders, are missing from Sabres practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
With Sulzer (lower body) and defenseman Jordan Leopold (hand) sidelined, the Sabres have recalled Adam Pardy from Rochester. He’s practicing.
Stay tuned for updates. Vanek’s known for getting beat up and resting occasionally. Tough guy John Scott is practicing in Vanek’s place ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston coaches his first NHL game Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Ron Rolston walked to a podium Thursday afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre, surveyed the landscape before him – about 30 reporters and a dozen cameras – and immediately cracked his first joke as the Buffalo Sabres’ interim coach.
“It looks like the same media coverage as Rochester,” joked Rolston, who replaced Lindy Ruff on Wednesday.
On Wednesday, Rolston was preparing his Rochester Americans for an AHL tilt against the Texas Stars. ... Read the full article
Kevin Porter preps for a faceoff earlier today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – When Cody McCormick cleared waivers at noon today, officially freeing up a roster spot, Kevin Porter hit the ice inside the Air Canada Centre.
His new Buffalo Sabres teammates tapped their sticks in appreciation before the center joined the workout.
The reeling Sabres, who will be led by new interim coach Ron Rolston for the first time tonight against the Maple Leafs, desperately need an on-ice savior.
Porter, a 14-goal scorer with Colorado ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston smiles this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – Ron Rolston walked to a podium this afternoon inside the Air Canada Centre, surveyed the landscape before him – about 30 reporters and a dozen cameras – and immediately cracked his first joke as the Buffalo Sabres’ interim coach.
“It looks like the same media coverage as Rochester,” joked Rolston, who replaced Lindy Ruff on Wednesday.
A day ago, Rolston was preparing his Rochester Americans for an AHL tilt against the Texas ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff began coaching the Sabres in 1997. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Darcy Regier walked in looking shaken. The Sabres general manager broke down a couple times while discussing the difficult decision to fire his close friend Lindy Ruff, the NHL’s longest-tenured coach.
Regier and Ruff had been synonymous with each other since 1997, when a rookie GM gave a young coaching prospect his dream job. Together, they experienced all the highs and lows of the NHL, somehow managing to keep their gigs despite limited ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston will make his NHL coaching debut tonight in Toronto. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When word began spreading Wednesday the Sabres had fired Lindy Ruff, the hockey world immediately started wondering who would succeed the NHL’s longest-tenured coach.
Would the Sabres hire an unproven young NHL assistant or an AHL coach? Would they try to make a big splash? Or would they simply turn to James Patrick, Ruff’s most-trusted assistant?
The Sabres’ decision to promote Rochester Americans coach Ron Rolston and award him the interim label for ... Read the full article