WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Stanley Cup Playoffs Edition
Buffalo goalie Malcolm Subban talks to the media Saturday. ©2022
BUFFALO – The original plan called for a recording of Malcolm Subban singing the U.S. national anthem to be played before Friday’s season finale. But then the goalie’s Sabres teammates and some staff members encouraged him to do it live.
“It was awesome,” a smiling Subban said Saturday as the Sabres cleaned out their lockers and held end-of-season meetings. “I was, like, so nervous before. Like, I couldn’t even eat lunch. Oh yeah, I was ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret called his final game Friday. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Coach Don Granato said he can’t simply tell his players about the Sabres’ history. They need to see and experience it for themselves.
That’s why Granato believes the Sabres’ season-long celebration of legendary play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret, who called his final game Friday, will have a lasting effect for his young team.
“Having everybody celebrate RJ this season meant they celebrated 50 years of Sabre hockey and the history,” Granato said prior to ... Read the full article
Casey Fitzgerald played his first 36 games with Buffalo this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – The Sabres made three roster moves prior to Friday’s season finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, sending defenseman Casey Fitzgerald and goalie Aaron Dell to the Rochester Americans and recalling netminder Michael Houser.
The Amerks, who thumped the Utica Comets 8-1 in Friday’s regular-season finale at Blue Cross Arena, needed the victory to stay alive the AHL North Division playoff chase. Their defense has been decimated by injuries and recalls, so Fitzgerald’s arrival was ... Read the full article
Buffalo prospect Jack Quinn has been a force all season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Buffalo Sabres prospect Jack Quinn, who has enjoyed a dynamic season with the Rochester Americans, has been named the AHL’s Dudley Garrett Memorial Award as rookie of the year, the league announced this afternoon.
Quinn, 20, scored four times in the opening week and hasn’t let up, compiling 25 goals and 59 points in 44 games entering tonight’s season finale against the Utica Comets. His 1.34 points per game ranks first among rookies and ... Read the full article
Rick Jeanneret speaks at his emotional banner raising ceremony April 1 in Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Legendary Sabres play-by-play man Rick Jeanneret figures he has set an unbreakable record for longevity.
How many NHL announcers call games for 51 years, let alone with one team?
“That’s unheard of,” a proud Jeanneret, who will be calling his final game tonight, told the Times Herald last month. “That’ll never be matched again, not a chance.”
If Sabres fans had their way, there would be a 52nd season. It feels like everyone ... Read the full article
Kyle Okposo moves around Mitch Marner (12) and Michael Bunting (58) on April 12 in Toronto. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On Wednesday, the Sabres, a team two days away from finishing its season, had a group of players on the KeyBank Center ice 25 minutes before their final practice started.
To veteran winger Kyle Okposo, 34, the Sabres’ oldest and most experienced player, that speaks volumes about the group’s passion. The Sabres will miss the playoffs for a record-setting 11th straight year, yet no one seems to want the season to end.... Read the full article
Buffalo prospect JJ Peterka leads AHL rookies in scoring. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans
Buffalo Sabres forward prospects JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn have earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors for their dynamic seasons with the Rochester Americans, the league announced Wednesday.
Peterka, 20, leads all rookies with 64 points in 69 games and has also scored 25 goals, a total that is tied with Quinn for third among first-year players. Peterka’s 39 assists rank third among rookies.
The German, who turned 20 on Jan. 14, has registered the most ... Read the full article
Craig Anderson has played 31 games this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – Injured winger Kyle Okposo and goalie Craig Anderson could play in Friday’s season finale against the Chicago Blackhawks, Sabres coach Don Granato said.
“We want them to play, and they’re right on that cusp,” Granato said. “They are day to day.”
The Sabres play their final road game tonight against the Boston Bruins.... Read the full article
Rasmus Asplund has established himself as a tenacious presence for Buffalo. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – On his dirt bike, Rasmus Asplund said it almost felt like he was whisked away to a different world. The Sabres winger would reach speeds of 60 mph and soar high into the air as he sped through the rugged track.
Being a competitive motocross racer was a thrill.
“Maybe it’s a little bit dangerous, the speeds, the jumping,” Asplund told the Times Herald following Monday’s practice at KeyBank Center.
Long before Asplund, ... Read the full article
Tage Thompson has scored 37 goals this season. ©2022, Micheline Veluvolu
BUFFALO – After Sabres center Tage Thompson hit the 30-goal mark for the first time April 1, coach Don Granato told the burgeoning star that, hey, while that’s a nice number, there’s a heck of a lot more you can do.
“I know you’re going to score more, you know you’re going to score more, so we can celebrate this, but onward and upward, let’s go,” Granato said he told Thompson.
Granato’s words served as ... Read the full article