WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Development Camp Edition
Kyle Okposo eyes a puck in front of New Jersey goalie Keith Kinkaid on Tuesday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Now back to reality.
Fresh off three straight road wins in which they outscored their opponents 11-1, the Sabres, looked like, well, a 30th-place team at home again Tuesday, losing a 3-1 clunker to the New Jersey Devils.
Instead of showcasing what made them successful during their best road trip in years – the Sabres allowed zero even-strength goals – they reverted to their old form, dropping their 16th home game in 22 ... Read the full article
Drew Stafford signed with New Jersey in August. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Evolve and adapt, Drew Stafford said. That’s why at 32, an age that often signals the end of an NHL career, the former Sabres winger is enjoying his 12th season.
“You have to or else, the way the game goes, guys are out of jobs or teams move on,” Stafford said Tuesday prior to the New Jersey Devils’ 3-1 win inside KeyBank Center. “There’s always a bunch of changing pieces.”
Nick Baptiste scored his fourth NHL goal Thursday. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – A commitment to a 200-foot game, not his scoring prowess, helped winger Nick Baptiste earn another recall to the Sabres last week.
Baptiste, a third-year pro, has learned offense starts with strong defense. That was evident when Baptiste scored his fourth NHL goal in Thursday’s 4-0 win in Vancouver.
“It was a play where we made them turn the puck over,” Baptiste said this morning after the Sabres prepared for tonight’s tilt against ... Read the full article
Jason Pominville (29) knows Buffalo is a special place when the Sabres are winning. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Jason Pominville sounded a little nostalgic recalling some special memories from his first stint here. Occasionally, when the Sabres winger watches a memorable goal on Youtube.com, the passion he sees from fans in the clips wows him.
“It’s pretty amazing how they respond,” Pominville said Monday inside KeyBank Center after the Sabres reconvened following the NHL All-Star break.
Right now, the Sabres are enjoying their first three-game winning streak this season entering tonight’s ... Read the full article
Jack Eichel had a four-point game last week. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Splendid performances from center Jack Eichel and goalie Robin Lehner earned the Sabres the NHL’s second and third star for the week ending Jan. 28.
Eichel led the league with two goals and five points as the Sabres won three straight games for the first time since Feb. 14-18, 2017. The NHL All-Star scored his third career overtime winner in last Monday’s 2-1 win in Calgary. He followed up with his third career ... Read the full article
Mike Weber warms up in Pittsburgh, his hometown, in 2015. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
Mike Weber delayed the inevitable. The gritty former Buffalo Sabres defenseman opted for injections over surgery, endured more pain and couldn’t walk after games because he was wrapped up in so much ice.
In the end, Weber exhausted 10 more contests out of his wonky left knee before retiring, his second comeback after a serious injury last season.
Weber returned from that injury in five weeks – by then, the knee was almost bone on ... Read the full article
Zach Bogosian played only 18 games this season. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Sabres defenseman Zach Bogosian will undergo season-ending hip surgery next week, the team announced today.
Bogosian’s estimated recovery time is four to six months, so the 10-year veteran should be ready for the start of next season.
“The news regarding Zach’s injury is unfortunate,” Sabres general manager Jason Botterill said in a statement. “Zach has been dealing with this injury since the beginning of the season. After consulting with our medical team, we ... Read the full article
Matt Tennyson has played 23 games with Rochester. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
The Buffalo Sabres recalled defenseman Matt Tennyson from the Rochester Americans this morning.
The Sabres lost Nathan Beaulieu 3:11 into Monday’s 2-1 overtime win in Calgary after the defenseman fought Flames forward Curtis Lazar as payback for a hit.
Sabres coach Phil Housley told reporters in Calgary following the game Beaulieu would be reevaluated today.... Read the full article
Robin Lehner has often played well for a bad team. ©2018, Michline Veluvolu, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – After getting yanked for the third time in five starts, Sabres goalie Robin Lehner skated to the bench, sat down and … left his mask on.
It looked, well, a bit odd.
Lehner kept wearing the protection until the second period ended Saturday afternoon. When he sat down again for the final 20 minutes of an ugly 7-1 loss to the Dallas Stars, he had finally removed it.... Read the full article
Phil Housley was close with Jim Johansson. ©2018, Hickling Images, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – In 2012, Team USA general manager Jim Johannson made an out-of-the-box choice, hiring a high school coach to lead the country’s entry at the World Junior Championship.
His name? Phil Housley.
Housley, an NHL legend, had served as an assistant twice for Team USA at the tournament. Still, he had no pro, college or major junior coaching experience. He had only been a head coach for Stillwater High School in Minnesota.... Read the full article