WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Calder Cup Playoffs Edition
BUFFALO – It was instantly better. Upon his arrival from Vancouver on Feb. 27, Alexander Sulzer went from the Canucks’ eighth defenseman to the Sabres’ seventh.
Yes, the German was still a spare part. But moving up one slot made him that much closer to playing, something he had only done 12 times in Vancouver all season. Sulzer was a healthy scratch an incredible 51 times.
“Obviously, since there are only seven defensemen, if ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Sabres winger Thomas Vanek, who left Thursday’s 3-1 loss in Boston after the Bruins’ Johnny Boychuk leveled him, is questionable (upper body) for tonight’s game in Ottawa against the Senators.
“Thomas is doing OK,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told reporters Friday in Ottawa. “I can’t answer that question (if Vanek will play). I think it all just depends on how he’s feeling tomorrow.”
Vanek didn’t practice Friday. Neither did winger Patrick Kaleta, who ... Read the full article
Jaroslav Spacek has experienced a difficult season. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – With three Canadian sports networks and thousands of blogs and message boards bandying his name around all trade deadline day, a nervous Jaroslav Spacek tried to escape the commotion by taking a nap.
The likable Carolina Hurricanes defenseman made one big mistake, though. He left his cell phone beside him. He was barraged with text messages.
“I tried to lay down, enjoy (it). But after 30 minutes I was like, ‘Jesus.’ I turned ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – In the first period Wednesday, after the lethargic Sabres coasted back during a power play and nearly fell behind 2-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes, Lindy Ruff finally had enough.
When the guilty players reached the bench, the coach reamed them out.
“The first period, it wasn’t a great period on our part,” Ruff said following the Sabres’ 3-2 overtime triumph inside the First Niagara Center. “Some of it was execution. Some of it ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Nine days after the Sabres acquired center Cody Hodgson from the Vancouver Canucks in a blockbuster deal at the NHL trade deadline, the 22-year-old rookie finally skated on the First Niagara Center ice Wednesday.
Hodgson had been experiencing a whirlwind acclimation to his new team on the road, and his head hasn’t stopped spinning.
“Has it been that long, really?” Hodgson said Wednesday morning inside the FNC when informed the trade was nine ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Go ahead, pick the dates the underachieving Sabres appeared finished and primed to play out the string for a lottery pick.
There are plenty, you know.
There was that embarrassing 5-0 dismantling Jan. 16 in Detroit, after which an emotional Ryan Miller said a trade wouldn’t help the Sabres. Two nights later, the Blackhawks throttled them 6-2 in Chicago, the third of five straight losses on a six game-trip.
On Feb. 16, the ... Read the full article
Drew Schiestel was the Sabres’ top defense prospect last season. ©2012, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Last winter, Sabres defense prospect Drew Schiestel earned an AHL All-Star berth.
With 23 points and a gaudy plus-15 rating in Portland, a recall seemed inevitable for the 59th pick in 2007. Then, two games before the big tilt, Schiestel tore his ACL, shelving him for the season.
The 22-year-old hurt his knee again on opening night for Rochester this season, his first appearance in eight months.
On Tuesday, the Sabres loaned ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – A scintillating week in which he posted two shutouts has earned Sabres goalie Ryan Miller the NHL’s first star for the period ending March 4.
For the week, Miller went 3-0-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and .974 save percentage.
Miller dazzled Wednesday, making 43 saves – a franchise record for a shutout – during a 2-0 win in Anaheim. He stopped 39 shots Thursday in a 1-0 victory in San Jose. He ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – With defenseman Robyn Regehr’s injury leaving the Sabres with only 18 healthy skaters, they summoned rookie winger Marcus Foligno from Rochester prior to Saturday’s tilt in Vancouver against the Canucks.
Defenseman Alexander Sulzer, acquired from Vancouver on Monday, replaced Regehr, making his Sabres debut, just his 13th appearance this season.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said Regehr is day-to-day with a “mid-to-lower” injury he suffered Thursday in San Jose.
Sulzer began the game ... Read the full article
BUFFALO – Sabres goalie Ryan Miller is scorching again, performing at the elite Olympic and Vezina Trophy level he showcased throughout a dynamic 2010-11 campaign.
How hot is the 31-year-old, who just stopped a combined 82 shots while posting back-to-back shutouts?
Miller’s 5-0-1 with a 1.14 goals-against average and .966 save percentage in his last six games.
For the season, his numbers – 2.58 and .915 – are both a point lower than his 2010-11 ... Read the full article
