‘“(They said), ‘Jesus, I haven’t been seeing this for a long time,’” Hagg said Friday. “And guys were just laughing about it and having fun with it. I was actually sitting on the bench in the third period, having goosebumps when they start singing and clapping and all that, so it was a lot of fun. And I didn’t know it was 8,000. But it seemed like a lot more.”’
The Sabres Report - October 18, 2021
Sabres notes: Don Granato wants to spread around ice time: ‘It’s a necessity’ ★
‘“I don’t believe it’s right to separate guys at this point,” he said. “I guess I look at my roster and I’m confident to spread ice time around. I think it’s a necessity. We need to play with a lot of energy. … They all have to play important situations.”‘
Opinion: Sabres have treated fans with good hockey, two well-earned wins ★
‘The one thing I can tell you is the team is getting record small crowds, but they’re enthusiastic and they’re being entertained. The building is alive and loud again, and that is showing us that maybe, just maybe, this organization is heading in the right direction.’
Monday's Rochester Coverage ★
Utica Comets show ‘potential’ in opening new affiliation on positive note with 6-2 win (Utica Observer Dispatch)
Amerks drop season opener to Comets (Amerks.com)
Comets defeat Americans 6-2 in front of sold out crowd on opening night (UticaComets.com)
The Sabres Report - October 17, 2021
Observations: Rasmus Dahlin a 'special player' as Sabres start season 2-0 ★
‘“He’s a special player, a special talent,” said Sabres goalie Dustin Tokarski, who stopped 20 shots in regulation and overtime before sealing the victory with two saves in the shootout. “Even tonight, in the second period, he made that sprawling save on that wide-open net. So, he made it on the defensive side and the offensive side. It was fun to watch.”’
Mike Harrington: The Sabres are suddenly annoying on the ice – in a very good way ★
‘The Sabres are buzzing around the ice like a bunch of gnats. The Montreal Canadiens and the Coyotes had to be exhausted after dealing with them the first two games.’
Sabres claim defenseman Christian Wolanin off waivers from Los Angeles ★
‘The Sabres will carry eight defensemen on the active roster: Wolanin, Rasmus Dahlin, Colin Miller, Jacob Bryson, Will Butcher, Mark Pysyk and Robert Hagg. Samuelsson is expected to resume practicing with the Sabres this week after missing the past month with a lower-body injury suffered during the Prospects Challenge.’
Sabres win again, starting to establish identity: ‘We are harder to play against’ ★
‘“We are harder to play against,” Sabres center Cody Eakin said after scoring a power-play goal in Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes. “We are always playing with speed on the forecheck, the backcheck, and it just kind of gets annoying, I think, to other teams.”‘
Sabres add new defenseman, claim Christian Wolanin off waivers ★
‘Sabres coach Don Granato said following Saturday afternoon’s 2-1 shootout win over the Arizona Coyotes that Jokiharju will likely be out a little longer than two weeks. Jokiharju was in the press box Saturday wearing a boot and using crutches.’
Sunday's Arizona Coverage ★
Coyotes fall 2-1 in overtime shootout; Karel Vejmelka shines in goal in NHL debut (Arizona Republic)
Photo gallery (NHL.com)
The Wrap: Vejmelka Strong Between the Pipes as Arizona Grabs a Point (ArizonaCoyotes.com)
Photo gallery (Buffalo News)