'“It was awesome to see,” said Sabres coach Don Granato. “First of all, the energy in the building was incredible. I even talked to the coaching staff, and we minimized our strategy going into the game just knowing the crowd was going to be as big as it was. The passion our guys have for being a Buffalo Sabre, being in our community, and I think that was, I felt that beforehand … [Read more...] about Observations: Sabres’ emotional return following blizzard ends in 6-3 win
Archives for December 30, 2022
Mike Harrington: In the wake of another crisis, the Sabres were there for us again
'"I know our guys are very, very proud to be Buffalo Sabres," Granato said. "And they’ll be very proud to step on that ice for more than just themselves."' … [Read more...] about Mike Harrington: In the wake of another crisis, the Sabres were there for us again
Sabres shift focus to resuming season following 'horrific' winter storm
'Each player in the Sabres’ dressing room has his own tale from the storm. Some monitored the devastation from afar before flying into Rochester, Buffalo or, in Casey Mittelstadt’s case, Columbus, Ohio. Others were in the city and without power, causing them and their families in town for the holiday to relocate to a nearby hotel.' … [Read more...] about Sabres shift focus to resuming season following ‘horrific’ winter storm
Buffalo Sabres Foundation donates $50K toward blizzard relief efforts
'"We are very proud to lend our support to these outstanding organizations who are providing critical services and resources to our community as we continue to deal with the effects of this tragic storm," said Rich Jureller, president of the Buffalo Sabres Foundation. "We are committed to doing our part in helping Western New York citizens, many of whom rely on these … [Read more...] about Buffalo Sabres Foundation donates $50K toward blizzard relief efforts
Sabres’ Kyle Okposo scores hat trick in emotional win following blizzard
'“This is life and lots of people in life and death situations, lots of families, too many lost loved ones, too many felt the pain of this storm that went through, and to have a guy like Okie that loves this community score three I felt was appropriate,” he said.' … [Read more...] about Sabres’ Kyle Okposo scores hat trick in emotional win following blizzard
After blizzard ravages Buffalo, Sabres return to work with heavy hearts
'“I just want to offer my condolences to everybody who lost their lives in the storm,” Okposo said, echoing what Adams, Granato and his teammates said. “It … was horrific. It was terrifying at times. And I can’t imagine those families or people that lost loved ones.”' … [Read more...] about After blizzard ravages Buffalo, Sabres return to work with heavy hearts
Casey Mittelstadt’s odd trip to Buffalo to rejoin Sabres: ‘Planes, trains and automobiles’
'Shortly after his flight to Columbus took off on Monday, he said he checked his phone and “had like 30 messages telling me not to get on the plane and the game just got (postponed).”' … [Read more...] about Casey Mittelstadt’s odd trip to Buffalo to rejoin Sabres: ‘Planes, trains and automobiles’
Traikos: The secret to why Tage Thompson came out of nowhere to challenge for the NHL scoring lead
'That move from the wing to the centre, which happened after Granato took over head-coaching duties from Ralph Krueger, seemed to unlock everything.' … [Read more...] about Traikos: The secret to why Tage Thompson came out of nowhere to challenge for the NHL scoring lead
Friday's Detroit Coverage
Red Wings stage furious rally again but fall short in Buffalo, 6-3 (Detroit News) Lalonde has mixed emotions as Red Wings visit blizzard-ravaged Buffalo (Detroit News) Photo gallery (Detroit News) Photo gallery (Detroit Free Press) Recap: Red Wings' comeback falls short in 6-3 loss to Sabres on Thursday (DetroitRedWings.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Detroit Coverage
Okposo scores 3 times as Sabres beat Red Wings 6-3
'Okposo “is a guy that has embedded himself and his family in this community,” Sabres coach Don Granato said. “This is life and lots of people in life and death situations, lots of families, too many lost loved ones, too many felt the pain of this storm that went through, and to have a guy like (Okposo) that loves this community score three I felt was appropriate.”' … [Read more...] about Okposo scores 3 times as Sabres beat Red Wings 6-3
Sabres, Bills send support to city devastated by blizzard
'With Buffalo’s streets reopened, the Sabres placed their focus on playing with no practice time. Players who live near the Sabres’ downtown arena and practice facility, got in some skating there during the break. Others living outside the city managed to get some ice time at a suburban rink.' … [Read more...] about Sabres, Bills send support to city devastated by blizzard
Sabres keep victims of Buffalo blizzard in their thoughts as they return to action
'"A little bit of a surreal experience," Sabres coach Don Granato said after morning skate. "We went through COVID break so there's some familiarity from those breaks and there's understanding there's things much greater than you, much greater than our team or the Buffalo Sabres or hockey, and this was one of them."' … [Read more...] about Sabres keep victims of Buffalo blizzard in their thoughts as they return to action
Sabres double up Detroit after long layoff
'Captain Kyle Okposo helped lead the Buffalo Sabres with a hat-trick, while Casey Mittelstadt added a pair of goals in the team's 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night at KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about Sabres double up Detroit after long layoff
Opinion: Sellout crowd came to cheer, celebrate Sabres after very hard week
'Buffalo hadn't practiced in seven days and hadn’t played a game in 10, yet, they came out fast against the Detroit Red Wings. Buffalo didn’t look sloppy after the long layoff, and came out of the first period with a 1-0 lead thanks to a Casey Mittelstadt goal just three seconds after a power play ended.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Sellout crowd came to cheer, celebrate Sabres after very hard week
Opinion: Three observations: Sabres defrost after break with win over Red Wings
'The best teams in the NHL have consistent scoring up and down the lineup game after game and the Sabres seemed to have hit their stride in that regard this season. Despite not playing for 10 days, Buffalo is still top of the league only behind Boston with 133 goals for.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Three observations: Sabres defrost after break with win over Red Wings