'Houser’s road to the NHL was a winding one long before he started his competitive career with the Pittsburgh Hornets Under-16 club. As a child, he had numerous surgeries to correct bilateral club feet. Some of which confined him to a wheelchair during the offseason.' … [Read more...] about Tim Benz: Penguins host Sabres, Wexford’s Michael Houser. And it’s a story the NHL needs right now
Archives for May 2021
Thursday's Pittsburgh Coverage
Tim Benz: Penguins host Sabres, Wexford's Michael Houser. And it's a story the NHL needs right now (Pittsburgh Tribune Review) Buffalo visits Pittsburgh after Bjork’s 2-goal game (AP) Game Preview: 05.06.21 vs. BUF (PittsburghPenguins.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Pittsburgh Coverage
An Ode to the 28-Year-Old Rookie
'If the netminders who came before him are any indication, Houser’s two-game sojourn may not be so temporary after all. Of the 18 goalies who fit the above criteria, five (Roman Cechmanek, Martin Gerber, Tim Thomas, Fredrik Norrena and Niklas Backstrom) would go on to play at least 100 games in the NHL. That is no guarantee, but it’s not a bad ratio when you consider three of … [Read more...] about An Ode to the 28-Year-Old Rookie
Hamilton Take2: House Call a welcome one
'When you go from being a goalie in the ECHL to the NHL all in one season, you become the talk of the league and after what he’s done, everybody is talking about you and wants to talk to you.' … [Read more...] about Hamilton Take2: House Call a welcome one
Thursday's Rochester Coverage
Amerks top five takeaways from the month of April (Amerks.com) … [Read more...] about Thursday’s Rochester Coverage
The Wraparound: Michael Houser stands tall, leads Sabres to comeback win
'Yet, Houser showed no signs of timidness in net. He snared the puck through screens and deflected rebounds wide while his teammates endured another slow start. In they end, they all cheered from the bench when he led them to victory in the home finale at KeyBank Center.' … [Read more...] about The Wraparound: Michael Houser stands tall, leads Sabres to comeback win
Sabres goalies Carter Hutton, Dustin Tokarski, UPL done for the season
'Michael Houser is the only game-ready goaltender on a National Hockey League contract, although the Sabres were allowed to add Rochester's Stefanos Lekkas on a professional tryout to back up.' … [Read more...] about Sabres goalies Carter Hutton, Dustin Tokarski, UPL done for the season
Sabres exec: 'How can we connect with fans on something deeper than wins and losses?'
'But the majority of revenue for NHL teams, unlike NFL franchises that benefit from lucrative TV deals, comes from ticket sales and getting fans in the stands. And attendance at Sabres games has been on the decline. The franchise averaged 17,167 fans in 35 dates last season, the lowest attendance figure since 2005-06. The Sabres nevertheless announced an analytics-driven model … [Read more...] about Sabres exec: ‘How can we connect with fans on something deeper than wins and losses?’
Travis Yost's Sabre Metrics: The curious case of Rasmus Dahlin
'Dahlin, in particular, is fascinating because I think everyone – organizational executives and fans alike – are trying to get a read on what Dahlin’s true talent is, and what his career projection looks like after three seasons. Dahlin has shown flashes of brilliance since entering the league. Considering he is 21 years old on the league’s 29th best team over that window – … [Read more...] about Travis Yost’s Sabre Metrics: The curious case of Rasmus Dahlin
Goalie Michael Houser stands out again, helps Sabres win shootout
'“It was great in the end that we didn’t win the shootout by scoring the goal,” Granato said on a Zoom call. “We won the shootout by making a save and that’s fitting with how he started the game. He finished the game helping us."' … [Read more...] about Goalie Michael Houser stands out again, helps Sabres win shootout
Ex-Vermont goalie Stefanos Lekkas grateful for time with Sabres
'“Just to go through the game day process, go through the warm-up and be part of a win is obviously something I’ll always remember,” an excited Lekkas said on a Zoom call Tuesday morning, hours before signing a one-year, $700,000 contract. “Just being here for however long it ends up being makes you really want to earn more chances and stick around.”' … [Read more...] about Ex-Vermont goalie Stefanos Lekkas grateful for time with Sabres
Wednesday's New York Coverage
Barry Trotz sits Mathew Barzal as Islanders lose to Sabres in shootout (Newsday) Barry Trotz says Islanders have to be emotionally invested in their games (Newsday) Photo gallery (NHL.com) 5 Takeaways: Islanders Lose 4-3 to Buffalo in Shootout (NewYorkIslanders.com) Photo gallery (Buffalo News) … [Read more...] about Wednesday’s New York Coverage
Ex-K's goalie enjoys journey to Buffalo
'But the experience has been amazing for Lekkas, who was called up from Rochester of the American Hockey League on Monday with almost no notice after Dustin Tokarski left Buffalo for personal reasons. Lekkas, who has been backing up Houser, was signed to a $700,000 Sabres contract that will be prorated for him to finish the NHL season.' … [Read more...] about Ex-K’s goalie enjoys journey to Buffalo
Bjork’s 2 goals, shootout winner lead Sabres over Islanders
'“It’s incredible,” Bjork said. “He’s done just an amazing job. You’ve got to really tip your hat to that guy. He came in here and did his job so well, and we’re all so proud of him and excited for him.”' … [Read more...] about Bjork’s 2 goals, shootout winner lead Sabres over Islanders
Sabres play comeback again on Islanders
'In the shootout, Houser's Hollywood-esque script continued as he stopped all three Islanders shooters. Bjork beat netminder Ilya Sorokin in the top of the second round, and the goal ended up being all Buffalo needed to complete a second-consecutive multi-goal comeback over the stout New York Islanders.' … [Read more...] about Sabres play comeback again on Islanders