'“Even this year was more challenging, coming into training camp and kind of starting where we left off,” Luukkonen told The Buffalo News. “It was kind of like, ‘OK, I don’t know which way we’re going here.’ I appreciate the trust the whole organization has had in me. But the start of this year, mentally, was a tough place to be at, because you really didn’t know which way … [Read more...] about Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s circuitous path from top prospect to Sabres’ No.1 goalie
Archives for March 2024
Sunday's Calgary Coverage
Sabres visit the Flames after Peterka’s 2-goal game (AP) 5 Things - Flames vs. Sabres (CalgaryFlames.com) … [Read more...] about Sunday’s Calgary Coverage
CHL notebook: Sabres prospect Savoie putting up big numbers in busy season
'"It's been pretty chaotic right from the start of September in training camp," the Buffalo Sabres forward prospect said. "But it's been a lot of fun being on a lot of different teams this year and playing with different guys and getting to learn from them. I've had a blast moving from team to team and bouncing around. It's been great."' … [Read more...] about CHL notebook: Sabres prospect Savoie putting up big numbers in busy season
Sabres return to practice ahead of road trip finale in Calgary
'“I think we can draw upon that confidence,” Tuch said. “We know we have the ability to be one of the best teams in the NHL when we set our minds to it and play the right way. We’ve just got to focus on the first five minutes of tomorrow night’s game and just going out there and making them play our style of game and our style of hockey. Just go out there with a lot of energy … [Read more...] about Sabres return to practice ahead of road trip finale in Calgary
After slow start, Sabres prospect Viktor Neuchev thriving in Rochester
'“They just explained that I have the potential to play in the NHL, but for this I need to work like I’ve never worked before,” Neuchev told the Times Herald through an interview using Google Translate.' … [Read more...] about After slow start, Sabres prospect Viktor Neuchev thriving in Rochester
Unmasked: Luukkonen finding footing in net with Sabres
'“I really do I appreciate the time I've been given from the coaching staff here and the whole organization to kind of take my time and find my footing in the net,” Luukonen said. “I feel last year, in kind of an extended amount of games (33) in the NHL and trying to figure out what it is that I need to do to play well and then this year I am still relatively young obviously … [Read more...] about Unmasked: Luukkonen finding footing in net with Sabres
Saturday's Rochester Coverage
Goaltending duel ends in shootout loss to Marlies (Amerks.com) Toronto Marlies open 3-In-3 weekend with shootout victory over Rochester Americans (Marlies.ca) … [Read more...] about Saturday’s Rochester Coverage
JJ Peterka produces on new-look top line before Sabres fall apart in 8-3 loss
'The Sabres (33-33-5) have lost three of their last four games on the road trip, which concludes Sunday in Calgary. They're falling behind in the Eastern Conference playoff race, now trailing the Detroit Red Wings by five points in the Eastern Conference.' … [Read more...] about JJ Peterka produces on new-look top line before Sabres fall apart in 8-3 loss
Bowen Byram relishing opportunity with Sabres: 'It's definitely a breath of fresh air'
'Byram has three goals and five points in seven games. He’s averaging 24:09 of ice time, second on the team behind Dahlin during that span, and only two Sabres have skated on the power play more than Byram. While Byram was averaging 19:51 with the Avalanche before the trade, he wasn’t getting the opportunity that he has in Buffalo. He’s on a defense pair with Rasmus Dahlin, and … [Read more...] about Bowen Byram relishing opportunity with Sabres: ‘It’s definitely a breath of fresh air’
After trade, Sabres prospect Calle Sjalin enjoying new opportunity in Rochester
'Coach Seth Appert called Sjalin “an offensively inclined defenseman” who is smart with the puck and possesses a strong shot. Appert believes the Amerks’ system – they play zone defense and “surf” their defenders so they’re angling – fits Sjalin better than Charlotte’s man-on-man, pinching style.' … [Read more...] about After trade, Sabres prospect Calle Sjalin enjoying new opportunity in Rochester
Friday's Edmonton Coverage
Edmonton Oilers unleash their ammo in lopsided Buffalo hunt (Edmonton Sun) Player grades: Oilers overcome 2-goal deficit, storm back to swamp Sabres 8-3 (Edmonton Journal) Edmonton Oilers pull away from Sabres for 8-3 win (CHED-AM) Oilers' self-correcting ways on display once again in rout of Sabres (Sportsnet) Game Recap: Oilers 8, Sabres 3 (EdmontonOilers.com) … [Read more...] about Friday’s Edmonton Coverage
Oilers pummel Sabres 8-3 behind five-goal third period
'J.J. Peterka, with two goals, and Victor Olofsson scored for Buffalo (33-33-5), which has lost three of its last four games.' … [Read more...] about Oilers pummel Sabres 8-3 behind five-goal third period
Sabres crumble in third period, lose in Edmonton
'Tied 3-3 after 40-minutes of play, the blue and gold allowed five Oiler goals in the final frame and took its second-consecutive loss of this four-game road trip.' … [Read more...] about Sabres crumble in third period, lose in Edmonton
Opinion: Sabres playoff hopes take a huge hit in a loss to Edmonton
'This game wasn’t all bad until the team quit for the final 4:42 giving up three easy goals to the Oilers and hanging Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen out to dry.' … [Read more...] about Opinion: Sabres playoff hopes take a huge hit in a loss to Edmonton
Granato looking for consistency, simplicity from Sabres in final 12 games
'"We play a great game in Seattle and completely control that game for large chunks of it, but we control the momentum the whole night. Then the very next night, you've got to go into Vancouver, you have intermittent good, but obviously when you're playing a very good team, they took charge better than we did. We need more consistency. You know, obviously, that's the push. … [Read more...] about Granato looking for consistency, simplicity from Sabres in final 12 games