WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Mikhail Grigorenko has dominated in junior. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In a not-so-surprising move, the Sabres sent 19-year-old center Mikhail Grigorenko back to the Quebec Remparts late Monday, according to RDS, a Canadian sports network.
Grigorenko has been scratched both games under interim coach Ted Nolan, who has strongly hinted he doesn’t think the Sabres should have four teenagers on the roster.
UPDATE: Grigorenko was just seen leaving the building this morning. Rookie defenseman Nikita Zadorov isn’t on the ice and has ... Read the full article
John Scott said he got “too fired up” Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres tough guy John Scott today called his “Princess Phaneuf” comment about Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf on Saturday a “slip of the tongue.”
“Obviously, a little emotional at the time,” Scott said inside the First Niagara Center following practice. “I haven’t trademarked it. I kind of regretted it.”
Following the Sabres’ 4-2 loss in Toronto, Scott said Phaneuf “bailed” as he approached him. A mini-melee ensued, and Scott received 14 penalty ... Read the full article
Steve Ott fights Toronto’s David Clarkson during the second period Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – In a first period reminiscent of the Ron Rolston era, the Buffalo Sabres fell behind 2-0 by the 13:35 mark Saturday and looked overmatched against a hungry Maple Leafs team anxious to end a three-game losing skid.
Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan had a strong message for his new team following the first period.
“Ted came in and told us and said, ‘You guys are garbage,’” Sabres tough guy John Scott said.
The ... Read the full article
Steve Ott buries his second-period goal past Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier on Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It might as well have been opening night again inside the First Niagara Center. Twenty-one games into the season, the Sabres started over Friday, performing like a new, refreshed team in their first game under interim coach Ted Nolan, an exciting 3-1 triumph against the hated Toronto Maple Leafs.
Nolan told the Sabres he was wiping the slate clean and didn’t care about their awful start under Ron Rolston, who was fired ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan was a happy coach Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It was going to be a special weekend trip to New York. Ted Nolan and his wife, Sandra, would celebrate her birthday and watch their son, Jordan, play for the Los Angeles Kings.
Nolan also wanted to see “The Book of Mormon” musical on Broadway. So he recently called Pat LaFontaine, a close friend with a ticket connection.
“I said, ‘Teddy, you better get ready for the show. It’s a pretty interesting show,’” ... Read the full article
Ted Nolan will coach the Sabres tonight for the first time since May 11, 1997. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s loud voice boomed throughout the ice during the Sabres’ lively 60-minute practice Thursday inside the First Niagara Center. The interim coach kept encouraging his players, even following them during the up-tempo drills.
The Sabres responded to the fast pace, showcasing much more energy and emotion than they had under Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday in a major shakeup.
Players tapped sticks, hooted and hollered. Most importantly, they seemed to ... Read the full article
John Scott (32) will face Toronto tonight for the first time since a preseason brawl. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ever since Sabres tough guy John Scott ignited a brawl going after Toronto Maple Leafs star Phil Kessel 54 days ago, tonight’s tilt between longtime rivals has been circled on the schedule.
What’s going to happen? Will there be another melee like the Sept. 22 preseason contest? Will there be any kind of retribution?
Based on what both teams said Thursday, don’t expect any craziness to transpire as the home-and-home set begins.
“If ... Read the full article
Many expect Toronto’s Frazer McLaren to challenge John Scott. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Tough guy John Scott, who ignited a preseason brawl between the Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs on Sept. 22, said Friday’s tilt between the rivals, the first since the wild melee, is getting “blown out of proportion.”
New interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan said he has “nothing to carry over” since he wasn’t there.
The Leafs, losers of two straight, don’t seem intent on exacting revenge during the home-and-home series, either.
“It happened ... Read the full article
John Scott hasn’t played since his seven-game suspension ended. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan’s voice was a constant throughout the Sabres’ lively 60-minute practice this morning inside the First Niagara Center. The interim coach kept encouraging his players, even following them during the up-tempo drills.
The Sabres responded, showcasing more energy and emotion than they had under Ron Rolston, who was fired Wednesday.
“It was really fast,” Sabres winger Tyler Ennis said about Nolan’s first real practice. “We moved through things quickly. It was ... Read the full article
Interim Sabres coach Ted Nolan (left) talks with Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter on Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ted Nolan said he’s a straightforward type of guy. So after taking over as interim coach Wednesday, the 55-year-old requested one thing from the Sabres, whose work ethic has been lacking during their awful 4-15-1 start.
“The only thing I asked is you compete,” Nolan, the Sabres’ coach from 1995-97, said following practice inside the First Niagara Center. “Some guys play 25 minutes. Some guys play three minutes. To work for three minutes, ... Read the full article