'Luukkonen’s teammates helped and hurt him at times. The Sabres (13-28-7) backed him with five consecutive goals, capped by Sam Reinhart’s second of the game. A young defense corps helped sweep away Luukkonen’s rebounds and prevented the Bruins from earning quality scoring chances from the middle.' … [Read more...] about Latest chapter in Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s ‘journey:’ Securing a Sabres win
Archives for April 24, 2021
Luukkonen's debut victory is a silver lining moment for a tough Sabres season
'Now, let's not go all Dominik Hasek or Ryan Miller here after the big Finn beat the Boston Bruins in his NHL debut. Keep in mind that Luukkonen is 22 and will probably spend the bulk of next season in Rochester. Yes, I said next season.' … [Read more...] about Luukkonen’s debut victory is a silver lining moment for a tough Sabres season
The Wraparound: Sam Reinhart's hat trick helps Sabres snap skid against Boston
'The Sabres (13-28-7) snapped their 10-game winless streak against Boston that dated back to Dec. 16, 2018. Buffalo also improved to 7-5-2 since its franchise-record 18-game winless streak ended.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Sam Reinhart’s hat trick helps Sabres snap skid against Boston
Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shines in NHL debut, helps Sabres beat Bruins
'The Sabres’ offense, which mustered just one total goal in two losses to the Bruins earlier this week, also reached another level Friday.' … [Read more...] about Goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen shines in NHL debut, helps Sabres beat Bruins
Sabres prospect Matej Pekar uses fight with Amerks to generate confidence
'Pekar’s ability to be a supreme pest makes him a unique prospect. He possesses a fierce edge.' … [Read more...] about Sabres prospect Matej Pekar uses fight with Amerks to generate confidence
Saturday's Boston Coverage
Sabres halt Bruins’ win streak at six games (Boston Globe) Bruins No. 1 center Patrice Bergeron sidelined with lower-body injury (Boston Globe) Bruins’ late rally falls short in 6-4 loss to Sabres (Boston Herald) Bruins notebook: Chris Wagner looking like old self (Boston Herald) Brad Marchand’s Point Streak Snaps At Three As Bruins Fall To Sabres (NESN) Bruins Wrap: … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Boston Coverage
Sabres snap Bruins’ season-best 6-game win streak in 6-4 win
'The Bruins appeared flat at a time Cassidy said several players were feeling the after-affects of receiving their COVID-19 vaccine immediately following the game in Buffalo on Tuesday.' … [Read more...] about Sabres snap Bruins’ season-best 6-game win streak in 6-4 win
Reinhart's hat-trick fuels thrilling win over Bruins
'Things got off to an inauspicious start, as the first shot Luukkonen saw in his career found the back of the net. It came off the stick of Steven Kampfer. The Bruins defenseman was allowed to skate down the slot off a feed from former Sabres forward Taylor Hall, before cashing in for his second goal of the season.' … [Read more...] about Reinhart’s hat-trick fuels thrilling win over Bruins
Opinion: Luukkonen wins his NHL debut over Boston
'Despite giving up four goals, I thought the 22-year-old rookie was very solid against a very good team. It started about as badly as it could. Buffalo came out and played one of their best periods of the year, but one mistake cost them. Luukkonen saw his first NHL shot 2:15 into the game and it was a goal when Steven Kampfer was wide open down the slot getting a pass from … [Read more...] about Opinion: Luukkonen wins his NHL debut over Boston
Opinion: Three Observations: Third time's the charm as Sabres hang on to beat the Bruins
'Ristolainen has taken on a role of showing young defensemen the way. He did that with Jacob Bryson to start the season, and now Sabres head coach thinks Ristolainen can help do the same for Samuelsson.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three Observations: Third time’s the charm as Sabres hang on to beat the Bruins
Luukkonen picks up win in NHL debut as Sabres top Bruins 6-4
'Sam Reinhart was the top player on the night, scoring three goals for his 4th career hat trick. Two of those goals came on the power play while another came on an empty-netter that sealed the win. Rasmus Dahlin [10 points in las 12 games], Casey Mittelstadt [8 goals in last 14 games], and Arttu Ruotsalainen [4 goals in last nine games] also scored in the win.' … [Read more...] about Luukkonen picks up win in NHL debut as Sabres top Bruins 6-4
Luukkonen wins NHL debut, Sabres end Bruins winning streak at six
'"Of course it's first game, first win. Those are things which will stay for a long time," said Luukkonen, a 22-year-old from Espoo, Finland. "I think just the game as itself, the first shot got in. And then kind of got through that. In the end there were a couple of goals too. It wasn't probably the way I thought it would be, but in the end, we got the win. And it means a … [Read more...] about Luukkonen wins NHL debut, Sabres end Bruins winning streak at six
'It means a lot' | Luukkonen earns victory in NHL debut
'"It wasn't probably the way I thought it would be, but in the end we got the win," Luukkonen said. "And it means a lot."' … [Read more...] about ‘It means a lot’ | Luukkonen earns victory in NHL debut
At The Final Horn: Bruins 4 - Sabres 6
'Sam Reinhart recorded a hat trick to hit the 20-goal plateau and help lift the Buffalo Sabres to a 6-4 victory over the Boston Bruins on Friday at KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about At The Final Horn: Bruins 4 – Sabres 6
Saturday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks try but fail to snap 2-game losing streak (WHEC-TV) Mersch’s four-point night not enough in 7-5 loss to Comets (Amerks.com) Utica puts up seven goals in win over Rochester (UticaComets.com) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Rochester Coverage