Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
It was the last of a five-game/10-day, east-coast road trip for the Vancouver Canucks against the last place team in the league. Vancouver came into the First Niagara Center last night having won 3 of 4 games already and playing the last place Buffalo Sabres should've been a good way to end the trip. Sure, the 'Nucks would probably hit the ice a tired club, surviving on adrenaline, but with a little work and some decent goaltending two points was a realistic proposition.
But perhaps they didn't get the memo. Although the Buffalo is in 30th place, they'd been playing really well over the course of the last 10 games or so punctuated by a rock-solid performance in a 4-2 win over a good Blue Jackets team at Columbus.
Then again, perhaps the 'Nucks did get the memo, but focused upon the injury report that had the lowest scoring team in the league without their top-two goal scorers in Zemgus Girgensons and Tyler Ennis.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Friday, February 27, 2015
Hodgson scores, Sabres win, Girgensons/Ennis hurt
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Anton Forsberg did something against the Buffalo Sabres that a goalie hasn't done since December 13, 2014--allowed a goal by Sabres forward, Cody Hodgson.
When Hodgson's incredibly weak backhand dribbled across the goal line, it ended a 27-game drought for the much-maligned forward who finally he caught himself a break. “Everyone has been saying to throw pucks on net and I’ve been doing it the last few games, shooting from some bad angles,” said a clearly relieved Hodgson. “I was fortunate to get that one.”
To say that Forsberg had a tough night would be like saying Hodgson went through a bit of a dry-spell during his goal-drought or that Buffalo just needs some tweaking to rise from the bottom of the league. The Sabres only needed 14 shots to put four goals past the 22 yr. old netminder. The 2011, seventh round pick of Columbus (188th overall) is in his rookie season after coming over from Sweden this year. He should be plying his trade in Sprinfield with their AHL team but he was forced into duty as backup to Curtis McEllhiney who took over for injured starter Sergei Bobrovsky.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Anton Forsberg did something against the Buffalo Sabres that a goalie hasn't done since December 13, 2014--allowed a goal by Sabres forward, Cody Hodgson.
When Hodgson's incredibly weak backhand dribbled across the goal line, it ended a 27-game drought for the much-maligned forward who finally he caught himself a break. “Everyone has been saying to throw pucks on net and I’ve been doing it the last few games, shooting from some bad angles,” said a clearly relieved Hodgson. “I was fortunate to get that one.”
To say that Forsberg had a tough night would be like saying Hodgson went through a bit of a dry-spell during his goal-drought or that Buffalo just needs some tweaking to rise from the bottom of the league. The Sabres only needed 14 shots to put four goals past the 22 yr. old netminder. The 2011, seventh round pick of Columbus (188th overall) is in his rookie season after coming over from Sweden this year. He should be plying his trade in Sprinfield with their AHL team but he was forced into duty as backup to Curtis McEllhiney who took over for injured starter Sergei Bobrovsky.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
"Miracle" and Terry Pegula, two anniversaries yesterday (plus a game too)
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Yesterday was a hockey-heavy day across the States as the designated Hockey Day In America was rolled out on the 35th Anniversary of the Miracle On Ice. NBC was live at Lake Placid, NY helping us relive quite possibly the greatest upset in sports ever.
A clearly overmatched USA squad of collegians, semi-pro's and hockey misfits dethroned the Soviet Union and their juggernaut of hockey professionals in 1980. Interesting to note that the Soviet Union outshot the Americans 39-16 in "Miracle" game. A stat that looks all too familiar to Sabres fans.
Yesterday also marked a significant anniversary that hits a little closer to home, as February 22nd marks the four-year anniversary of Terry Pegula taking ownership of the Buffalo Sabres. And as we fans sit at the bottom of the league for the second year running while looking towards the future, on February 22, 2011 Pegula uttered these words which are now engraved on a plaque in the Sabres dressing room:
"From this point forward, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win the Stanley Cup"
Yesterday was a hockey-heavy day across the States as the designated Hockey Day In America was rolled out on the 35th Anniversary of the Miracle On Ice. NBC was live at Lake Placid, NY helping us relive quite possibly the greatest upset in sports ever.
A clearly overmatched USA squad of collegians, semi-pro's and hockey misfits dethroned the Soviet Union and their juggernaut of hockey professionals in 1980. Interesting to note that the Soviet Union outshot the Americans 39-16 in "Miracle" game. A stat that looks all too familiar to Sabres fans.
Yesterday also marked a significant anniversary that hits a little closer to home, as February 22nd marks the four-year anniversary of Terry Pegula taking ownership of the Buffalo Sabres. And as we fans sit at the bottom of the league for the second year running while looking towards the future, on February 22, 2011 Pegula uttered these words which are now engraved on a plaque in the Sabres dressing room:
"From this point forward, the Buffalo Sabres' reason for existence will be to win the Stanley Cup"
Sabres Road Crew hits Spoonz in C-bus
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
A few times a year the Buffalo Sabres Road Crew hits the road bringing Buffalo Sabres hockey to fans far from the reaches of the First Niagara Center. If you're an out-of-towner and are within reach of this event, it behooves you to check it out.
Last night The Road Crew as at Spoonz Pub on Sawmill Rd. in Columbus Ohio.
Spoonz is owned by Buffalo-boy, Frank Commendatore, and is home to the Central Ohio Bills Backers. Commendatore has owned the Pub since 2001 and has made it a home for Buffalo sports fans complete with Bills and Sabres memorabilia as well as a Mighty Taco sign right up front.
The event drew around 75 or so Sabres fans decked out in their regalia rubbing elbows with the Sabres coaching staff and members of the broadcast team. The host of the evening was Brian Duff who conducted numerous raffles for signed photos, pucks and hats plus a 50/50 raffle which the winner donated back to the Sabres Foundation, the charity where all proceeds from the event went.
Commendatore did an outstanding job hosting the event. While talking with him he mentioned that getting food on the table was somewhat challenging since there was no kitchen. He talked of cooking and slicing roast beef in his home so that fans could indulge in Beef On Weck. A friend of his in the restaurant business used the fryers at his establishment to fry up a boat-load of chicken wings while out back, Frank and company busted out the BBQ to grill up some Sahlens dogs imported from Buffalo.
It was a good time featuring an appearance by Rick Jeanneret, as well as former Sabres Rob Ray and Brad May. At one point while assistant coaches Brian Trottier, Danny Flynn, Tom Coolen and Arturs Irbe were busy signing autographs and posing for pictures, May and head coach Ted Nolan battled it out in a game of Jenga played with over-sized blocks on a high-top table.
Much thanks to the Sabres Road Crew for choosing Spoonz in Columbus and a big thanks to Frank for his hospitality. The graciousness with which all of the Sabres personalities worked the room and the time they took to personally interact with all those in attendance is also greatly appreciated.
A few times a year the Buffalo Sabres Road Crew hits the road bringing Buffalo Sabres hockey to fans far from the reaches of the First Niagara Center. If you're an out-of-towner and are within reach of this event, it behooves you to check it out.
Last night The Road Crew as at Spoonz Pub on Sawmill Rd. in Columbus Ohio.
Spoonz is owned by Buffalo-boy, Frank Commendatore, and is home to the Central Ohio Bills Backers. Commendatore has owned the Pub since 2001 and has made it a home for Buffalo sports fans complete with Bills and Sabres memorabilia as well as a Mighty Taco sign right up front.
The event drew around 75 or so Sabres fans decked out in their regalia rubbing elbows with the Sabres coaching staff and members of the broadcast team. The host of the evening was Brian Duff who conducted numerous raffles for signed photos, pucks and hats plus a 50/50 raffle which the winner donated back to the Sabres Foundation, the charity where all proceeds from the event went.
Commendatore did an outstanding job hosting the event. While talking with him he mentioned that getting food on the table was somewhat challenging since there was no kitchen. He talked of cooking and slicing roast beef in his home so that fans could indulge in Beef On Weck. A friend of his in the restaurant business used the fryers at his establishment to fry up a boat-load of chicken wings while out back, Frank and company busted out the BBQ to grill up some Sahlens dogs imported from Buffalo.
It was a good time featuring an appearance by Rick Jeanneret, as well as former Sabres Rob Ray and Brad May. At one point while assistant coaches Brian Trottier, Danny Flynn, Tom Coolen and Arturs Irbe were busy signing autographs and posing for pictures, May and head coach Ted Nolan battled it out in a game of Jenga played with over-sized blocks on a high-top table.
Much thanks to the Sabres Road Crew for choosing Spoonz in Columbus and a big thanks to Frank for his hospitality. The graciousness with which all of the Sabres personalities worked the room and the time they took to personally interact with all those in attendance is also greatly appreciated.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Thoughts from the Evander Kane introductory presser
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
I can't remember the last time the Sabres had an introductory press conference for a player they'd traded for.
Perhaps we may need to go back to Chris Drury and the big three-way trade that brought him to Buffalo in July, 2003. Drury, of course, had a Stanley Cup ring earned with the 2000-01 Colorado Avalanche and also had the distinction of being the winning pitcher in the 1989 Little League World Series playing for his hometown of Trumbull, CT.
But today we had the opportunity to get acquainted (somewhat) with Evander Kane, the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade consummated by Sabres GM Tim Murray and his counterpart in Winnipeg, Kevin Cheveldayoff on February 11, 2015.
Kane made his first appearance in Buffalo last night watching from the pressbox as the Sabres were thwarted by the NY Rangers 3-1. He did an interview with WGR550 and was interviewed by Dan Dunleavy of Sabres.com and about the only thing we got out of either (no disrespect intended) is that Dunleavy loved Kane's duds as well as his shoes which Kane revealed as Jimmy Choo's.
I can't remember the last time the Sabres had an introductory press conference for a player they'd traded for.
Perhaps we may need to go back to Chris Drury and the big three-way trade that brought him to Buffalo in July, 2003. Drury, of course, had a Stanley Cup ring earned with the 2000-01 Colorado Avalanche and also had the distinction of being the winning pitcher in the 1989 Little League World Series playing for his hometown of Trumbull, CT.
But today we had the opportunity to get acquainted (somewhat) with Evander Kane, the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade consummated by Sabres GM Tim Murray and his counterpart in Winnipeg, Kevin Cheveldayoff on February 11, 2015.
Kane made his first appearance in Buffalo last night watching from the pressbox as the Sabres were thwarted by the NY Rangers 3-1. He did an interview with WGR550 and was interviewed by Dan Dunleavy of Sabres.com and about the only thing we got out of either (no disrespect intended) is that Dunleavy loved Kane's duds as well as his shoes which Kane revealed as Jimmy Choo's.
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Sabres goaltending situation might get interesting.
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
It's no secret that Buffalo forward Chris Stewart's name is being thrown around in trade talks. Of the Sabres eight soon-to-be unrestricted free agents, Stewart is the only one that is being looked at as an impact player above a depth role.
Every other UFA asset in the organization is of the depth variety. Up-front there's Torrey Mitchell and Matt Ellis while on the back-end there's Andre Benoit, Andrej Meszaros and Tyson Strachan. But the Sabres have two goalies in Buffalo right now who are pending UFA's in Michal Neuvirth and recently acquired Anders Lindback, and the former could very well be in play in the next week and a half.
Neuvirth, along with defenseman Rusty Klesla (who never played a game for Buffalo,) came from the Washington Capitals in exchange for goalie Jaroslav Halak and a 2015 3rd round draft pick. Halak was a part of the Ryan Miller to St. Louis Blues deal less than a week before. Neuvirth is a former 2nd round pick (2006, 34th overall) and at 6'1" 190 lbs. has a decent enough frame to just fit the mold of what Sabres GM Tim Murray is looking for in his goaltenders.
As of right now, Neuvirth sits atop the food chain in net for Buffalo.
It's no secret that Buffalo forward Chris Stewart's name is being thrown around in trade talks. Of the Sabres eight soon-to-be unrestricted free agents, Stewart is the only one that is being looked at as an impact player above a depth role.
Every other UFA asset in the organization is of the depth variety. Up-front there's Torrey Mitchell and Matt Ellis while on the back-end there's Andre Benoit, Andrej Meszaros and Tyson Strachan. But the Sabres have two goalies in Buffalo right now who are pending UFA's in Michal Neuvirth and recently acquired Anders Lindback, and the former could very well be in play in the next week and a half.
Neuvirth, along with defenseman Rusty Klesla (who never played a game for Buffalo,) came from the Washington Capitals in exchange for goalie Jaroslav Halak and a 2015 3rd round draft pick. Halak was a part of the Ryan Miller to St. Louis Blues deal less than a week before. Neuvirth is a former 2nd round pick (2006, 34th overall) and at 6'1" 190 lbs. has a decent enough frame to just fit the mold of what Sabres GM Tim Murray is looking for in his goaltenders.
As of right now, Neuvirth sits atop the food chain in net for Buffalo.
Friday, February 20, 2015
A quiet time in Sabreland as trade deadline day inches a bit closer
Reprinted with permission from hockeybuzz.com
Do you remember those days when we, as Sabres fans, would be on the sidelines watching all of the action leading up to the trade deadline? And do you remember those trade deadline days where we'd be watching other teams jump in while we'd wait and speculate, groan at missing out, then wait and speculate, etc. etc. etc.?
And do you remember the anti-climactic, "The Buffalo Sabres have traded a second-round pick to team-X" for a second-rate player who, we would find out later, was playing with some sort of injury? Right around 3pm?
It's been a great 11 months for those of us who have wanted "out with the old and onward to the future." Sabres GM Tim Murray didn't dink and doink when it came to trading assets, he put together packages, big packages, to get it done.
Granted, the Ryan Miller trade to the St. Louis Blues just shy of one year ago had been in the works for a long time, and the recent Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster came about because of extenuating circumstances, but it's hard to imagine the previous regime having the vision, imagination and kahunas to pull off deals like the ones Murray has pulled off thus far. That's not to take away from former GM Darcy Regier's approach (however typical it was) as the bounty he received in each singular trade was nothing short of impressive. In the end, both GM's--Murray and Regier--will have had a hand in a deconstruction and rebuild of historical proportions.
Do you remember those days when we, as Sabres fans, would be on the sidelines watching all of the action leading up to the trade deadline? And do you remember those trade deadline days where we'd be watching other teams jump in while we'd wait and speculate, groan at missing out, then wait and speculate, etc. etc. etc.?
And do you remember the anti-climactic, "The Buffalo Sabres have traded a second-round pick to team-X" for a second-rate player who, we would find out later, was playing with some sort of injury? Right around 3pm?
It's been a great 11 months for those of us who have wanted "out with the old and onward to the future." Sabres GM Tim Murray didn't dink and doink when it came to trading assets, he put together packages, big packages, to get it done.
Granted, the Ryan Miller trade to the St. Louis Blues just shy of one year ago had been in the works for a long time, and the recent Evander Kane/Tyler Myers blockbuster came about because of extenuating circumstances, but it's hard to imagine the previous regime having the vision, imagination and kahunas to pull off deals like the ones Murray has pulled off thus far. That's not to take away from former GM Darcy Regier's approach (however typical it was) as the bounty he received in each singular trade was nothing short of impressive. In the end, both GM's--Murray and Regier--will have had a hand in a deconstruction and rebuild of historical proportions.
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