Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

Following trade, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie on tear in Moose Jaw

BUFFALO – Six months, five teams and three leagues later, Sabres prospect Matt Savoie has settled into one place and can enjoy the final months of his junior hockey career.

A season that Savoie, 20, began injured in Buffalo has taken him to Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, after stops in Rochester, Wenatchee (Washington) and Sweden.

Along the way, he showed he’s ready for the pros, made his NHL debut, represented Team Canada at the World Junior ... Read the full article

Sabres lose again, need more compete: ‘We have to find another gear’

BUFFALO – If you believe time hasn’t run out for the 14th-place Sabres, then the clock is certainly ticking loudly. Two losses last week likely extinguished their faint hopes of entering the playoff chase.

With their season essentially on the line, the Sabres scored just two total goals. In Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues before 16,726 fans in KeyBank Center, they created offense again but refused to pay a price to ... Read the full article

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen playing at elite level, could be Sabres’ long-coveted franchise goalie

BUFFALO – Think about it, when was the last time the Sabres had a true No. 1 goalie? Not a guy playing well and earning most of the action, but a top-flight NHL starter who could be entrenched in the crease for years.

Linus Ullmark might’ve become that guy if he had re-signed here. Robin Lehner enjoyed some success but battled personal issues. Others have seen their performance – remember how well Jonas Enroth and ... Read the full article

Tenacity helping Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek pile up points in Rochester

BUFFALO – Seth Appert kept talking, going into detail to explain how aggressive play fueled Buffalo Sabres prospect Lukas Rousek’s recent 13-game point streak.

“On the puck, competitiveness, forechecking, puck battles,” the Americans coach said late last month in Blue Cross Arena in Rochester before the winger’s streak ended. “His battle level is dramatically higher right now than it was at any time he’s been in North America. He’s playing more competitively, he’s hunting the ... Read the full article

Goalie Devon Levi focused in Rochester, not worried about recall by Sabres

ROCHESTER – One start down, at least one to go for goalie Devon Levi. After making 16 saves in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss, the rookie is scheduled to play one of the Americans’ two weekend road games before the AHL breaks for its All-Star Classic.

Now, will Levi, 22, stay with the Amerks beyond this week?

The Buffalo Sabres, who sent Levi to the minors for extra work during their bye week and the NHL ... Read the full article

13 months after trade, Joseph Cecconi developing with Amerks, happy in Sabres organization

ROCHESTER – Joseph Cecconi’s arrival here last season transformed the Americans, giving their defense corps a missing element. Without his muscle, coach Seth Appert said, the AHL club wouldn’t have enjoyed another long run in the Calder Cup Playoffs.

“We don’t go to the conference finals without that trade and getting Cheeks,” Appert said. “We didn’t have enough of that or much of that at all. … Trading for Cecconi, that really solidified our D ... Read the full article

Sabres send Devon Levi to Rochester for work during break, recall goalie

The Sabres on Sunday loaned goalie Devon Levi to the Rochester Americans, a move that allows the rookie to practice and play during Buffalo’s bye week and the NHL All-Star break.

Buffalo also recalled goalie Eric Comrie, who has played five games for Rochester since clearing waivers earlier this month.

Since Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has emerged as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie, Levi, 22, has played sparingly. On Wednesday, Levi started his first NHL game since ... Read the full article

After roster move by Sabres, goalie Eric Comrie seizing chance in Rochester

ROCHESTER – For almost a year, Eric Comrie never felt comfortable in net. Every game, the goalie said, felt like a tryout for the Buffalo Sabres. He wondered if a bad goal allowed would cost him playing time or lead to a demotion.

“I always felt like I was the odd man out in that (three-goalie) situation, where if I had the bad game, it was like, ‘Well, you’re not going to see it for ... Read the full article

Jeff Skinner close to returning from injury; Sabres recall defenseman

BUFFALO – Sabres winger Jeff Skinner, out the last five games with an upper-body injury, could return for tonight’s game against the Anaheim Ducks, the start of a three-game road trip.

Skinner, 31, practiced Monday in LECOM Harborcenter in his usual spot at left wing alongside center Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch.

“Skinner went full go in practice, and I’ll find out exactly what that means,” Sabres coach Don Granato said Monday in KeyBank Center. ... Read the full article

Sabres recall rookie Devon Levi from Rochester, send goalie to Amerks

As expected, rookie goalie Devon Levi’s latest stint with the Rochester Americans lasted one game.

The Sabres this morning recalled Levi, 22, from the Amerks and sent goalie Eric Comrie back to their AHL affiliate. Levi made 14 saves in Saturday afternoon’s 7-3 win over the Springfield Thunderbirds in Rochester, his first game action since Jan. 9.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s emergence as the Sabres’ No. 1 goalie – the Finn has made five straight starts – ... Read the full article