WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Zemgus Girgensons practices this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – About 16 media members, most of them from Vancouver, surrounded Sabres center Cody Hodgson this morning.
The Canucks, of course, traded Hodgson on Feb. 27, 2012 amid speculation his relationship with the team had soured, he wanted more playing time and his father had become too involved in his hockey affairs.
Naturally, Hodgson didn’t want to talk about any of that.
“I’m happy to be here for the next six years,” Hodgson, who ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville had never skated in the First Niagara Center as an opponent before Monday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Once the initial shock of getting traded to the Minnesota Wild in April started wearing off, former Sabres captain Jason Pominville said he “really took a step back” and began examining his new gig.
Pominville was leaving a team beginning a rebuilding process for the upstart Wild, a club constructed to win the Stanley Cup immediately.
The Wild had just signed stars Zach Parise and Ryan Suter to huge twin contracts. Many believed ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville talks with some old friends this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Defenseman Henrik Tallinder will return tonight against popular former Sabres captain Jason Pominville and the Minnesota Wild following a four-game absence.
With Tallinder (upper body) back from injured reserve, either rookie Rasmus Ristolainen or Alexander Sulzer, the spare defenders this morning, will be sent to Rochester, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
Update: Sulzer has been assigned to the AHL.
Meanwhile, backup goalie Jhonas Enroth will make his third start for the winless Sabres ... Read the full article
Cody McCormick (8) blocks David Savard’s shot Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres scratched struggling center Mikhail Grigorenko for Thursday’s 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets inside the First Niagara Center.
Rookie Johan Larsson, a scratch Tuesday, pivoted Zemgus Girgensons and Brian Flynn in Grigorenko’s place.
The 19-year-old Grigorenko hasn’t showcased the competitiveness Sabres coach Ron Rolston wants to see.
“He’s got to continue consistency of his compete and his details away from the puck and then, offensively, some confidence there,” ... Read the full article
Johan Larsson has played two games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – As expected, the Sabres will scratch 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko tonight against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Rookie Johan Larsson, a scratch Tuesday, will pivot Zemgus Girgensons and Brian Flynn inside the First Niagara Center.
Grigorenko, one of 17 pointless Sabres, hasn’t showcased the competitiveness coach Ron Rolston wants to see.
“He’s got to continue consistency of his compete and his details away from the puck and then, offensively, some confidence there,” said Rolston, ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko’s ice time dropped Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – History is repeating itself. Just like last season, Sabres center Mikhail Grigorenko’s ice time dropped dramatically in his fourth appearance.
On Tuesday, the 19-year-old Russian played only 8:07, down from the 12:30 he had been averaging. The prospect even skated several shifts on the fourth line during the 3-2 overtime loss to Tampa Bay.
Why?
“Just putting the people in the right situations,” Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this afternoon following practice inside ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers (57) and Mike Weber (6) played together Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In their three years as Sabres teammates, Tyler Myers and Mike Weber have rarely kept the same defense partner long.
Myers has spent significant time beside almost every established defenseman in recent seasons, a result of personal and team struggles. Weber, meanwhile, has only established himself as a regular presence in the last year.
Still, the two had never been paired together for more than a few shifts before Tuesday’s 3-2 overtime loss ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth made his first start Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – So, who’s starting in goal for the winless Sabres against the Tampa Bay Lightning?
“You’ll see tonight,” Sabres coach Ron Rolston said this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
Jhonas Enroth left the ice first following the morning skate, a sign the backup will likely receive his second straight nod with Ryan Miller nursing a sore groin.
Still, Miller participated fully in the skate and Matt Hackett, the organization’s No. 3 goalie... Read the full article
Matt Hackett dressed for Saturday’s game. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Matt Hackett was home in Rochester, “about to pass out,” the goalie joked, when the phone rang around midnight Saturday.
Hackett had just been shelled in the Americans’ disastrous 8-1 season-opening loss to Grand Rapids, allowing six goals on 30 shots in just 36:35 before mercifully getting yanked.
The 23-year-old wasn’t expecting a recall to the Buffalo Sabres hours later.
“Never seen getting called up for six goals,” Hackett said Saturday afternoon prior ... Read the full article
Matt Hackett played poorly Friday in Rochester. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
PITTSBURGH – Matt Hackett was home in Rochester, “about to pass out,” the goalie joked, when the phone rang around midnight.
Hackett had just been shelled in the Americans’ disastrous 8-1 season-opening loss, allowing six goals on 30 shots in just 36:35 before mercifully getting yanked.
The 23-year-old wasn’t expecting a recall to the Buffalo Sabres.
“Never seen getting called up for six goals,” Hackett said this afternoon after participating in the Sabres’ optional skate ... Read the full article