WNY and Buffalo NY Hockey Coverage
Thanksgiving Edition
Some key goals from Kevin Porter (12) have helped the Sabres recently. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
It’s still a long shot, Sabres fans. But Wednesday’s dramatic 3-2 shootout win in Boston moved the 10th-place club to within two points of the eighth-place New York Rangers for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot.
Conveniently, the Rangers come to Buffalo on Friday for a must-see showdown.
Show of hands … who thought the Sabres would still be in the postseason picture a week after their wretched 5-1 home loss to ... Read the full article
Nathan Gerbe played three seasons at Boston College. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If Sabres defenseman Chad Ruhwedel hadn’t signed his first NHL contract last week, then the rookie would’ve been watching the Boston Marathon up close on Monday, celebrating Patriots’ Day with friends like he had while attending UMass Lowell.
Ruhwedel knows Boston well and enjoys the city. So does Sabres winger Nathan Gerbe, who spent three years at Boston College.
Naturally, Monday’s terrorist bomb attacks that killed three people near the marathon finish ... Read the full article
Luke Adam played four games with the Sabres. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – The Rochester Americans received two forwards for their playoff push today.
The Sabres sent Luke Adam, a healthy scratch three of the last four contests, back to the Amerks after playing four games, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported.
The 22-year-old scored one goal during his first NHL stint in more than a year.
Meanwhile, the Amerks have recalled Daniel Catenacci, the 77th overall pick in 2011, from the Ontario ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko (25) returned to the Sabres on Tuesday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the time being at least, 18-year-old rookie Mikhail Grigorenko is back with the Sabres following a one-month stint in junior.
The Russian center practiced Tuesday inside the First Niagara Center and traveled with the team to Boston for tonight’s tilt against the Bruins. But Grigorenko will likely be scratched.
Rather than sending Grigorenko to AHL Rochester, where he’s now eligible to play with the Quebec Remparts’ season having ended last week, ... Read the full article
Chad Ruhwedel would’ve been watching the Boston Marathon if he hadn’t left school. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – If Chad Ruhwedel hadn’t signed his first NHL contract last week, then the Sabres rookie would’ve been watching the Boston Marathon, celebrating Patriots’ Day with friends like he had while attending UMass Lowell.
Monday’s bomb blasts near the finish line that killed three people and injured 180 have shaken Ruhwedel. He had friends in the area enjoying the day. His sister was just landing in Boston. Everyone was OK.
“If I didn’t have ... Read the full article
Lindy Ruff was fired Feb. 20. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Former Sabres coach Lindy Ruff will coach Team Canada at the upcoming world championship, TSN reported.
Ruff, who was fired Feb. 20 after 15 seasons as Sabres coach, led Canada at the 2009 world championship, winning silver.
He parlayed that into an assistant coaching position at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, where the Canadians won gold.... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko’s junior season ended last week. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – For the time being at least, 18-year-old rookie Mikhail Grigorenko is back with the Sabres following a one-month stint in junior.
The Russian center practiced this morning inside the First Niagara Center and will travel with the team to Boston. Grigorenko will likely sit Wednesday’s game against the Bruins, though.
Rather than sending Grigorenko to AHL Rochester, where he’s now eligible to play with the Quebec Remparts’ season having ended last week, the ... Read the full article
Mikhail Grigorenko celebrates his first NHL goal. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Rookie Mikhail Grigorenko, who went back to the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts for a month, is practicing with Sabres this morning inside the First Niagara Center.
The 18-year-old Russian, the 12th overall pick in June’s NHL Entry Draft, played 22 NHL games earlier this season, compiling one goal in five points. The Sabres assigned him back to junior March 15, a move “driven by what is best for Mikhail and best for ... Read the full article
Tyler Ennis scored his first goal in 12 games Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – Make no mistake, Tyler Ennis enjoys being a left winger. The slick youngster skated there for parts of three seasons, including his entire 20-goal rookie campaign. If the Sabres possessed more scoring depth down the middle, then Ennis might’ve never switched to center.
Changing positions ignited the speedy Ennis late last season. With more room to maneuver, the 23-year-old racked up eight goals and 19 points over a rollicking 12-game stretch, ending ... Read the full article
Jhonas Enroth kicks out a shot by Tampa Bay’s Vincent Lecavalier (4) in front of Mark Pysyk on Sunday. ©2013, Dan Hickling, Olean Times Herald
BUFFALO – This two-day stretch hardly mirrored the last time Sabres backup goalie Jhonas Enroth earned consecutive starts for a healthy Ryan Miller.
Back in November 2011, Enroth sported an eight-game winning streak as Miller was beginning a wretched three-month slump. The Swede’s second nod ignited a goaltending controversy.
These days, Miller’s entrenched as the No. 1 goalie. Enroth, meanwhile, recently regained the dynamic form he showcased early during his rookie season.
If the ... Read the full article