Buffalo Hockey Beat - WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage

Bruins’ Matt Bartkowski won’t be suspended for hitting Sabres’ Brian Gionta

Bruins defenseman Matt Bartkowski won’t be suspended or fined for hitting Sabres captain Brian Gionta high in Buffalo’s 4-3 overtime loss Sunday in Boston.

The NHL Department of Player Safety explained its decision this afternoon in three tweets, writing, “Bartkowski/Gionta is an example of incidental contact on an otherwise full body check. The head was NOT the main point of contact. Also, Gionta puts himself in a vulnerable position making contact with his head unavoidable. ... Read the full article

Sabres’ Marcus Foligno out ‘a while’ with apparent hand injury; 10 players injured or sick

The Buffalo Sabres are down 10 players to injuries and illness after losing center Marcus Foligno and captain Brian Gionta in Sunday’s 4-3 overtime loss in Boston.

Foligno apparently hurt his hand fighting the Bruins’ Matt Bartkowski after the defenseman leveled Gionta high during the first period. An upper-body injury will sideline Foligno for “a while,” Sabres coach Ted Nolan told reporters in Boston.

“One of those freak accidents that happen when you play,” Nolan ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mark Pysyk and Tim Schaller from Amerks

BUFFALO – With injuries and illnesses ravaging the Sabres, the team has recalled defenseman Mark Pysyk and center Tim Schaller from Rochester for tonight’s game against the Boston Bruins.

Defenseman Tyler Myers is questionable after suffering a lower-body injury in Saturday’s 5-1 loss to Colorado. Meanwhile, wingers Patrick Kaleta and Matt Moulson are both sick. Kaleta will definitely miss tonight’s game, Sabres coach Ted Nolan said.

Pysyk has one goal and 10 points in 27 ... Read the full article

Sabres lose game to Avalanche, Tyler Myers to injury

BUFFALO – Saturday’s 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, the Sabres’ second consecutive ugly defeat, also ended their six-game home winning streak. After winning 10 of 13 contests to creep within four points of a playoff spot early last week, the Sabres have been outscored 10-2 in the last two games.

Uh-oh.

To make matters worse, injuries and illnesses are starting to ravage the Sabres. They lost three more players Saturday, including minute-munching defenseman Tyler ... Read the full article

Former Sabres star Daniel Briere treasuring end of career

BUFFALO – Former Sabres star Daniel Briere knows the end is coming soon. At 37 years old, he’s now a graying forward with the Colorado Avalanche. His new club scratched him seven straight games earlier this season. He skates less than 10 minutes some nights.

But the likable Briere won’t speculate about how long his once-dynamic career will last. Instead, he’s trying to treasure his remaining days in the NHL.

“I’m trying to enjoy what’s ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko feels he earned recall

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko knew the Sabres were short one forward and had the Colorado Avalanche, a team led by Hall of Fame goalie Patrick Roy, his former junior coach, coming up on the schedule.

Grigorenko, who played in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg before going back to Rochester, wanted to get recalled again badly. To his relief, the Sabres summoned the Russian again Saturday morning.

“I was hoping I would get called up, especially ... Read the full article

Avalanche’s Daniel Briere on Sabres: ‘A team that’s going to be dangerous’

BUFFALO – Colorado Avalanche forward Daniel Briere still pays attention to the Sabres, the team he once co-captained, from afar.

Gone, of course, are the rollicking days Briere enjoyed here. The Sabres haven’t sniffed the success they had with the diminutive scorer since they let him leave in 2007.

But the rebuilding club impresses the 37-year-old, who likes coach Ted Nolan and the stockpile of young talent.

“I think this is a team that’s going ... Read the full article

Sabres prospect Mikhail Grigorenko back from Amerks

BUFFALO – Mikhail Grigorenko knew the Sabres were short one forward and had the Colorado Avalanche, a team led by legendary goalie Patrick Roy, his former junior coach, coming up on the schedule.

Grigorenko, who played in Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg before getting returned to Rochester, wanted to get recalled again badly.

“I was hoping I would get called up, especially that game against Colorado against Patrick,” Grigorenko said this morning inside the First ... Read the full article

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth thriving with increased workload

BUFFALO – Following a one-game rest, Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth will likely start tonight against the Colorado Avalanche, his 11^th nod in the last 13 contests and 22^nd appearance overall this season.

At his current pace, the 26-year-old would play 52 times. But given the frequency of his recent action, it’s not crazy to think the diminutive Swede, one of the NHL’s smallest netminders at 5-foot-10 and 166 pounds, could hit the prestigious ... Read the full article

Sabres recall Mikhail Grigorenko from Amerks

BUFFALO – The Sabres recalled center Mikhail Grigorenko from Rochester this morning.

Grigorenko has played one game in the NHL this season, Tuesday’s 5-1 loss in Winnipeg. The Sabres practiced with only 11 forwards after returning the 20-year-old to the Americans.

The Russian has seven goals and 19 points in 29 games with the AHL club.

The Sabres host the Colorado Avalanche tonight.... Read the full article