WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
February Edition
Ron Rolston won his first NHL game Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
Buffalo Sabres fans are understandably a pessimistic bunch these days. No one can blame them, either. Coach Lindy Ruff was just fired. Their $65 million team is parked in 15th place, a wretched 7-12-1 this season.
So here’s some good news.
Tuesday’s big 2-1 win in Tampa Bay over the Lightning, Ron Rolston’s first as the Sabres’ interim coach, moved the club to within four points of a playoff spot. They stymied the ... Read the full article
Cory Conacher played for the Syracuse Crunch earlier this season. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Count interim Sabres coach Ron Rolston among those impressed by slick Tampa Bay Lightning rookie Cory Conacher, a Canisius College product.
Rolston watched the 5-foot-8 forward play for the Syracuse Crunch several times earlier this season while coaching the Rochester Americans. Conacher, in Rolston’s mind, showcases a style similar to diminutive Lightning star Martin St. Louis, one of the most prolific scorers in recent history.
“He’s very dynamic, much like St. Louis,” ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston took over for Lindy Ruff on Wednesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Rebuilding the bottom-feeding, 15th-place Sabres back into a strong hockey club could be a long and arduous process following Lindy Ruff’s dismissal as coach last week.
The team’s in shambles, having lost four straight games and six of the last seven. There’s little to like about the Sabres and no quick fix.
They possess no identity.
“I know patience isn’t big with anybody,” interim coach Ron Rolston said Monday inside ... Read the full article
Adam Pardy played for the Sabres on Feb. 5. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Sabres’ injury and on-ice woes could help defenseman Adam Pardy, an NHL regular before numbers kicked him back to the minors this season, carve out a spot on the blue line.
With Jordan Leopold (hand) and Alexander Sulzer (lower body) sidelined, the Sabres on Monday summoned Pardy from Rochester for the second time this season.
He should play tonight in Tampa Bay against the Lightning, the start of a two-game Florida ... Read the full article