WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
Ryan O’Reilly celebrates with Jack Eichel on Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It would’ve been one of the Sabres’ most rewarding wins all season.
Shortly after Ryan O’Reilly’s own goal put the Anaheim Ducks up late Tuesday, the center redeemed himself, tying the contest with 15 seconds left in regulation.
But instead of seizing the momentum, the disjointed Sabres imploded again before the announced crowd of 16,788 inside KeyBank Center.... Read the full article
Ryan Miller joined Anaheim this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ryan Miller’s decision to sign with the Anaheim Ducks centered, in part, on his desire to be closer to his family.
The former Sabres goalie and his wife, Noureen DeWulf, an actress, have lived in the Los Angeles area with their 3-year-old son, Bodhi, for years. Naturally, coming home has eased some of the pressures that accompany the hectic NHL life.
Still, the Ducks often go on long road trips. They finished a ... Read the full article
Derek Grant has scored eight goals this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Finally, five years, five teams and 93 games into his NHL career, former Sabres center Derek Grant scored his elusive first goal Oct. 20.
For good measure, after burying a rebound in front of Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price just minutes into the Anaheim Ducks’ 6-2 win, Grant scored again late.
Crazy, right?
“Finally getting one that counted was a big step for me, and I think it jumpstarted me into being able ... Read the full article
Victor Antipin has played 29 NHL games. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – At this point, 53 games into a lost season, why not keep playing defenseman Victor Antipin? Plenty of Sabres won’t be back next year. Why not use the final 29 contests to evaluate the Russian rookie? He might have a future here.
Like any newcomer, Antipin, a KHL All-Star last season, has struggled. Still, he has showcased glimpses of becoming the slick puck-mover the Sabres envisioned when they signed him to a ... Read the full article
Ryan Miller has only played one game as a visitor in Buffalo. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Ryan Miller’s decision to sign with the Anaheim Ducks centered, in part, on his desire to be closer to his family.
The former Sabres goalie and his wife, Noureen DeWulf, an actress, have lived in the Los Angeles area with their 3-year-old son, Bodhi, for years. Naturally, coming home has eased some of the pressures that accompany the hectic NHL life.
Still, the Ducks often go on long road trips. They’ll finish a ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville has scored nine goals this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For a few weeks earlier this season, Sabres winger Jason Pominville seemed to be defying age. The likable veteran, 35, roared out of the gate, scoring two goals opening night. He followed up with another two-score outing days later.
By the 12-game mark, Pominville had compiled six goals and 12 points. The production increase made sense.
On a loaded Minnesota Wild team a year ago, Pominville scored all 13 of his goals ... Read the full article
Sam Reinhart fights for position in front of St. Louis goalie Carter Hutton and Jay Bouwmeester on Saturday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – It’s actually one of the few notable categories the Sabres don’t rank last or near the bottom of the NHL. Through 52 games they’re 21st in shots, averaging 30.9.
Of course, that hasn’t translated into much. They’ve won only 14 games and have scored the fewest goals overall (117) and five-on-five (71).
If the Sabres, fresh off Saturday’s 1-0 loss to St. Louis, want to start scoring, they must pump more pucks on ... Read the full article
Robin Lehner makes a second-period stop on St. Louis’ Vladimir Tarasenko on Saturday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Progress is measured differently for the 2017-18 edition of the Buffalo Sabres, the NHL’s second-worst team.
On Saturday, they lost again, falling 1-0 to the St. Louis Blues before 18,777 fans. After winning three straight road games, they’ve dropped three consecutive home contests, falling to stunning 6-15-3 at KeyBank Center.
Overall, the Sabres are a wretched 14-29-9.... Read the full article
Casey Nelson has played eight straight games. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Call Casey Nelson the forgotten Sabres defenseman. As injuries ravaged the blue line earlier this season, he stayed in Rochester, playing big minutes as the Americans got off to their best start in years.
The Sabres recalled Nelson in mid-November. But he only sat out as a healthy scratch before going back to the AHL later in the month.... Read the full article
Casey Nelson has quietly become a regular. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Call Casey Nelson the forgotten Sabres defenseman. As injuries ravaged the blue line earlier this season, he stayed in Rochester, playing big minutes as the Americans got off to their best start in years.
The Sabres recalled Nelson in mid-November. But he only sat out as a healthy scratch before going back to the AHL later in the month.... Read the full article