WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Patrick Kaleta was taken to the hospital on a stretcher last week. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If Sabres agitator Patrick Kaleta has his way, he’ll return to the lineup tonight against the Montreal Canadiens
Forget that the winger left the First Niagara Center on a stretcher last Tuesday after injuring his neck and spent the night in the hospital. Forget that he’s only been through one non-contact practice. Forget that coach Lindy Ruff wasn’t sure if the 26-year-old has even been cleared to play yet.
“I’m available whenever ... Read the full article
Pressure will only mount on Lindy Ruff if the Sabres keep losing. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The stumblebum Sabres have lost three straight contests and seven of eight. Tens tilts into the 48-game schedule, they have only three wins and seven points. They’re last in the Northeast Division and 14th in the Eastern Conference after falling 4-3 on Tuesday in Ottawa following a late rally.
After missing the playoffs last season and starting this campaign so wretchedly, should the Sabres be concerned changes are coming among the player ... Read the full article
Mike Weber isn’t practicing this afternoon ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Remember just a few weeks ago when the Sabres’ defense corps went nine deep? Heck, they even waived Adam Pardy, an NHL veteran.
Well, the Sabres are down to five defensemen this afternoon at practice inside the First Niagara Center.
Mike Weber’s the newest name missing. Stay tuned for an update. It could merely be a maintenance day. He joins Christian Ehrhoff (muscle strain), Robyn Regehr (lower body) and Andrej Sekera (bruised ... Read the full article
Adam Pardy played five games in Rochester. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This morning, five Sabres who played in Sunday’s 4-3 loss to Florida – Christian Ehrhoff, Marcus Foligno, Cody Hodgson, Steve Ott and Jason Pominville – didn’t skate during an optional workout inside the First Niagara Center.
“We got a couple guys that are nicked up that may be doubtful (for the Senators),” coach Lindy Ruff said after the Sabres prepared for Tuesday’s tilt in Ottawa.
Well, at least one probably won’t be playing ... Read the full article
John Scott (right) fights George Parros during the second period Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A bruised foot sidelined Sabres defenseman Andrej Sekera for Sunday afternoon’s 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers. Rookie T.J. Brennan replaced him, making his second appearance this season.
Sekera blocked Alexei Emelin’s shot shortly into his first shift Saturday, went to the dressing room and returned for several shifts before leaving the Sabres’ 6-1 loss in Montreal again after the first period.
Ruff hopes it’s a short-term injury.
“He took a pretty hard ... Read the full article
T.J. Brennan will replace Andrej Sekera. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Andrej Sekera will miss this afternoon’s tilt against the Florida Panthers after bruising his foot Saturday, coach Lindy Ruff said. Rookie T.J. Brennan will replace him.
Sekera blocked Alexei Emelin’s shot shortly into his first shift, went to the dressing room and returned for several shifts before leaving the Sabres’ 6-1 loss in Montreal again after the first period.
Ruff hopes it’s a short-term injury.
“He took a pretty hard shot,” ... Read the full article
Andrej Sekera hurt his foot early today. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Defenseman Andrej Sekera bruised his foot early in the Buffalo Sabres’ 6-1 loss to the Canadiens this afternoon and will be re-evaluated Sunday, coach Lindy Ruff told reporters in Montreal.
“It doesn’t look like it should be too long,” Ruff said.
He added: “He tried to gut it out.”
Sekera blocked Alexei Emelin’s shot shortly into his first shift, went to the dressing room and returned for several shifts before leaving again after the ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko celebrates his first NHL goal Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Fifteen minutes after allowing the overtime winner in the Sabres’ shocking 4-3 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ryan Miller sat stewing in his stall inside the dressing room, staring straight ahead. The goalie still had his pads on. He barely moved.
Down the hallway, winning Leafs goalie James Reimer was riding an exercise bike sporting a wide grin.
His 29 saves had just bested the former Vezina Trophy winner Tuesday before 18,801 ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko skated sparingly on the fourth line Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – Lindy Ruff couldn’t hide his disgust Saturday morning inside the Northtown Center.
The Buffalo Sabres coach sighed before acknowledging the obvious.
“It’s like burning a game,” Ruff said about skating 18-year-old rookie Mikhail Grigorenko a career-low 6:48 in Friday’s 3-1 loss to Carolina.
The Russian center can play five times before the first-year of his entry level contract kicks in. Each appearance is precious in the Sabres’ evaluation.
The Sabres wasted Grigorenko’s ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno poses for a photo with a fan this morning inside the First Niagara Center. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – All seems forgiven. The hockey-deprived Sabres fans look amped for this afternoon’s season opener against the Philadelphia Flyers. Thanks to the NHL 113-day lockout, it’s been 288 days since the Sabres last played a game.
Right now, however, it feels like the NHL never left. The First Niagara Center will be packed and jumping today. Fans spent the week gobbling up discounted merchandise and wondering if 18-year-old Mikhail Grigorenko could crack the lineup ... Read the full article