WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Late-Season Edition
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
Ron Rolston talks after Wednesday’s win. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Now, in the wake of Sunday’s mega brawl in Toronto and the fine he received, coaches will think about using their enforcers, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
“It’ll definitely be in the mindset,” Rolston, who was fined a reported $10,000 by the NHL for his role, said Wednesday prior to the Sabres’ 3-0 exhibition win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. “They don’t want altercations like that and how it escalated. They are ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston speaks to the media this morning. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Now, in the wake of Sunday’s mega brawl in Toronto and the fine he received, coaches will think about using their enforcers, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
“It’ll definitely be in the mindset,” Rolston, who was fined a reported $10,000 by the NHL for his role, said this morning inside the First Niagara Center. “They don’t want altercations like that and how it escalated. They are just concerned with that and want ... Read the full article
Ron Rolston had already put John Scott on the ice Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The NHL has fined Sabres coach Ron Rolston an undisclosed amount for “player selection and team conduct” in Sunday’s brawl in Toronto.
After the Sabres’ Corey Tropp and the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Devane fought 10:01 into the third period, Rolston left John Scott, who had already played 8:37 in the exhibition game, on the ice. The tough guy then went after Leafs star Phil Kessel before the faceoff, igniting a huge melee.... Read the full article
John Scott (32) fights Toronto’s Frazer McLaren on March 21. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Naturally, hulking Sabres tough guy John Scott was a little surprised to see Phil Kessel, one of the NHL’s most talented stars, lining up for a faceoff beside him Sunday in Toronto after the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Devane had just pummeled Corey Tropp in a gruesome scrap.
Watching Devane knockout and bloody Tropp, who gave up five inches to the 6-foot-5 fighter, infuriated the Sabres. Scott, who was already on the ice, figured ... Read the full article
John Scott isn’t afraid to give an honest take. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Naturally, hulking Sabres tough guy John Scott was a little surprised to see Phil Kessel, one of the NHL’s most talented stars, lining up for a faceoff beside him Sunday in Toronto after the Maple Leafs’ Jamie Devane had just pummeled Corey Tropp.
Watching Devane knockout and bloody Tropp, who gave up five inches in the bout, infuriated the Sabres. Scott figured Leafs coach Randy Carlyle would send out some muscle.
Instead, skill ... Read the full article
John Scott, shown here after a fight last season, sent a message Sunday in Toronto. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
TORONTO – It was a not-so-subtle message: John Scott, the Buffalo Sabres’ 6-foot-8, 258-pound tough guy, lining up for a faceoff against slick Maple Leafs superstar Phil Kessel, who’s about eight inches shorter and 60 pounds lighter.
A minute earlier, 6-foot-5 Leafs fighter Jamie Devane had knocked Corey Tropp out briefly and bloodied him.
The Sabres didn’t like Devane fighting someone five inches smaller.
So Sabres coach Ron Rolston had Scott on the ice ... Read the full article
Marcus Foligno has three goals in two preseason outings. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – When Marcus Foligno’s dismal, five-goal season ended in April, the 22-year-old could’ve laid the blame on others or taken responsibility, Sabres coach Ron Rolston said.
“Whether they think it’s me or them, ultimately they got to make that change, and I think he took that ownership on that,” Rolston said Saturday prior to the Sabres’ 3-2 exhibition shootout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs before a capacity crowd of 19,070 fans inside the ... Read the full article
Johan Larsson scored twice in his third preseason game Thursday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Right now, the Sabres’ depth down the middle is, well, a bit thin beyond Cody Hodgson.
Consider this: the five other centers coach Ron Rolston has played in the team’s three exhibition contests – Matt Ellis, Mikhail Grigorenko, Johan Larsson, Cody McCormick and Kevin Porter – have combined for 64 goals and 154 points in 816 NHL games.
That’s it.
So what will the Sabres do?
“We’re going to continue ... Read the full article