WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
October Edition
Ryan Miller endured a tough night Friday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Two goals in 57 seconds. The New York Rangers couldn’t score another before the first period ended Friday, right?
The Sabres would buckle down facing elimination. Besides, the Rangers scored on fluky deflections.
Still, the crowd of 19,003 fans inside the First Niagara Center needed to vent.
So the surly spectators gave goalie Ryan Miller a Bronx cheer after he stopped a dump-in as the final seconds ticked down. Miller then nearly whiffed ... Read the full article
Brandon Sutter (16) and Christian Ehrhoff could battle again Tuesday in Pittsburgh. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL tentatively postponed Friday’s game in Boston between the Bruins and Penguins until this afternoon, meaning the Sabres’ scheduled tilt in Pittsburgh tonight has been pushed back to Tuesday.
The police manhunts following Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings forced the changes.
It will be determined by 8:30 this morning if the game in Boston can be played at 12:30 p.m.
The NHL contacted the Sabres early Friday afternoon about potentially moving the game, ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford skates this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If you haven’t noticed, the Sabres received no help Thursday night. The eighth-place New York Rangers, tonight’s opponent, throttled hapless Florida. Ninth-place Winnipeg beat Carolina in overtime.
With 48 points, both clubs lead the 10th-place Sabres by four. A regulation loss tonight eliminates them from postseason contention.
“We just got to win out,” Sabres winger John Scott said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “We got to do what we ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek (26) and some teammates wanted to salute Boston fans. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres first talked about a postgame salute beside the Boston Bruins for fans inside the TD Garden prior to Wednesday’s emotional game, the city’s first major sporting event since the Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and injured 180 on Monday.
Sabres assistant captains Steve Ott, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek spoke with trainer Tim Macre and equipment manager Rip Simonick about a special tribute for the more than 17,000 spectators in ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek talked to Boston captain Zdeno Chara about saluting the crowd. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
AMHERST – The Buffalo Sabres first talked about a postgame salute beside the Boston Bruins for fans inside the TD Garden prior to Wednesday’s emotional game, the first major sporting event in the city since Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings killed three people and injured 180.
Sabres assistant captains Steve Ott, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek spoke with trainer Tim Macre and equipment manager Rip Simonick about a special tribute for the more than 17,000 fans ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth tries to make a stop in front of Adam Pardy on Saturday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sure, the Sabres needed some good fortune to down the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 on Saturday afternoon. Christian Ehrhoff’s pass off the end boards created the game’s only goal. Daniel Briere hit the crossbar behind Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth with just a single tick left in the game.
Still, they deserved their 17th win this season and first in three games. The Sabres, so vile during Thursday’s 5-1 home loss to Montreal, ... Read the full article
Tyler Myers played 39 games this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With 2:17 left in the second period of Thursday’s dismal 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Sabres defenseman Tyler Myers absorbed P.K. Subban’s wicked one-timer from the point with his leg.
After blocking the lethal shot, Myers hobbled off seconds later when the Canadiens converted their five-on-three power play.
The 23-year-old finished the game, though, skating 25:37, his third-highest total this season, while blocking a game-high four shots.
Following the contest, Myers found ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford wants to stay with the Sabres. ©2013, San Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Dealing with Wednesday’s trade deadline wasn’t easy for struggling winger Drew Stafford, one of several Sabres rumored to be on the move.
“I was definitely by my phone,” Stafford said this morning inside the First Niagara Center after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s contest against the Ottawa Senators. “I know that those days can definitely be stressful. It definitely was, especially near the end there when my phone was blowing up around ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville played his first game with the Wild on Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jason Pominville felt his 11-year run with the Sabres organization could be ending. Before Wednesday’s trade deadline, the struggling team asked its captain to submit a list of eight clubs he could refuse a trade to. The Sabres, a colossal disappointment this season, seemed ripe for a major shakeup.
Still, when Sabres general manager Darcy Regier called Wednesday and said he had been traded to Minnesota, the star winger was shocked.
“It’s still ... Read the full article
Thomas Vanek wants to talk to management. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – After trading captain Jason Pominville to the Minnesota Wild, general manager Darcy Regier said the Sabres’ reconstruction could take some time.
Slick winger Thomas Vanek recently said he “would probably look in the other direction” if the Sabres had a two- or three-year plan.
So, did Wednesday’s deal, coupled with earlier trades of defensemen Jordan Leopold and Robyn Regehr, change Vanek’s mind?
“Probably, I mean, obviously we gave up three good players ... Read the full article