Rochester Americans - Buffalo Hockey Beat

After slow start, Sabres goalie Aaron Dell beginning to find groove

BUFFALO – Since the start of last season, Sabres goalie Aaron Dell has played just 13 games, including nine in the NHL. The veteran has often struggled in his limited action, failing to recapture what made him one of the league’s top backups a few years ago.

After a shaky preseason in which he quickly lost the No. 2 job, Dell allowed a fluky goal minutes into his NHL season debut last Saturday, losing sight ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Jack Quinn scores highlight-reel shootout goal for Amerks

ROCHESTER – Sabres prospect Jack Quinn could’ve waited another second or two to put the finishing touches on his shootout goal.

Quinn’s deft hands and feet put goalie Felix Sandstrom flat on his stomach, giving him the right side of the net and an inordinate amount of time to shoot the puck. So the Americans winger calmly completed his highlight-reel goal Friday.

“He’s sliding to the left and I know I’m going back to the ... Read the full article

Don Granato’s accessibility to Sabres players ‘a huge asset’

BUFFALO – In his early days behind the bench in junior hockey and in the ECHL, Sabres coach Don Granato was one-man show. He had no assistants to help him.

“So I had to be close to players,” Granato said prior to Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Calgary Flames at KeyBank Center. “I had to get a feel for the team and a beat on the team.”

Right away, Granato learned he must separate the ... Read the full article

Prospect Brett Murray becomes Sabres’ top option for recall from Amerks

PITTSBURGH – Through their first 11 games this season, Buffalo Sabres prospects JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn have combined to score a whopping 12 goals and 29 points with the Rochester Americans.

Barely five weeks into their rookie campaign, the 20-year-old wingers have established themselves as two of the AHL’s most electrifying talents.

Still, when the Sabres have needed an extra forward, they’ve chosen 23-year-old Brett Murray, who led the Amerks in scoring last ... Read the full article

Zemgus Girgensons misses Sabres’ pregame skate

PITTSBURGH – Buffalo Sabres winger Zemgus Girgensons missed this morning’s pregame skate but coach Don Granato expects him to play tonight against the Penguins.

Rookie Brett Murray filled in for Girgensons at left wing beside center Cody Eakin and Kyle Okposo and also on the power play.

The Sabres recalled Murray from the Rochester Americans on Monday so they could take an extra forward on the road. Murray played one game during the Sabres’ recent ... Read the full article

Jacob Bryson displaying mature game, emerging as Sabres’ best defenseman

PITTSBURGH – For a second or two, it looked like trouble was imminent. Connor McDavid, hockey’s most lethal scorer, had a head of steam as he zoomed toward Buffalo Sabres defensemen Jacob Bryson and Colin Miller late Friday.

After grabbing a 3-2 lead late in the second period, the Sabres endured an offensive onslaught from the Edmonton Oilers over the final minutes. McDavid, who had mostly remained quiet at even strength, seemed ready to explode.... Read the full article

Sabres add another forward, recall Brett Murray from Amerks

The Buffalo Sabres this afternoon recalled winger Brett Murray, who played one NHL game earlier this season, from the Rochester Americans.

Sabres center Dylan Cozens left this morning’s practice early, although coach Don Granato said he expects him play in Tuesday’s road game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Sabres did not have an extra forward on the roster before summoning Murray.... Read the full article

Sabres goalie prospect Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen recognized by AHL

A standout three-game stretch in which goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen registered a 1.68 goals-against average, a .957 save percentage and his first AHL shutout has earned him the league’s Player of the Week honors for the period ending Nov. 14.

Luukkonen, the Buffalo Sabres’ top goalie prospect, stopped 112 of 117 shots with the Rochester Americans last week, including 32 in Saturday’s 4-0 home win over the Cleveland Monsters.

On Wednesday, Luukkonen made 41 saves in ... Read the full article

Sabres could turn to goalie Aaron Dell against Maple Leafs

BUFFALO – A few days into training camp, Sabres coach Don Granato acknowledged that if the season started tomorrow, goalies Craig Anderson and Aaron Dell would rank first and second on the depth chart.

Dell, who might start tonight against the Toronto Maple Leafs, had a leg up in the competition with Dustin Tokarski for the backup job. But in the preseason, Dell posted ghastly numbers – a 5.57 goals-against average and an .838 save ... Read the full article

Sean Malone, JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn forming dynamic trio for Amerks

ROCHESTER – It took four years for this opportunity to materialize. During his first stint in the Buffalo Sabres organization, the Americans utilized Sean Malone as a checker, often giving him short minutes as their third- or fourth-line center.

Malone, 26, scored with some consistency despite playing down the lineup, hitting the 12-goal mark twice. Still, the West Seneca native craved a larger role.

“I’ve always wanted to show my offensive side,” Malone said after ... Read the full article