BUFFALO HUNT

‘WHEN THE PUCK DROPS, ALL THAT MATTERS IS WINNING.’ THE CHALLENGE IS SIMPLE FOR UKKO-PEKKA LUUKKONEN: LEAD THE LONG-STRUGGLING SABRES INTO THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2011

BY RYAN KENNEDY

ON A SUNNY AUTUMN afternoon in Buffalo, Sabres fans eschewed the outside warmth in favor of the cold grasp of LECOM Harborcenter, where the franchise’s prospects were dominating their peers from the Columbus Blue Jackets system as part of an annual rookie tournament. As the Buffalo faithful high-fived in celebration of Jiri Kulich’s latest snipe, members of the here-and-now Sabres were getting in a skate before training camp at KeyBank Center, the NHL arena conveniently connected to LECOM by a pedestrian bridge. Among the skaters was Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, the 25-year-old goaltender who has positioned himself as Buffalo’s best hope between the pipes as the Sabres attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 2011. Coming off career-best totals of 54 games, 27 wins and a 2.57 goals-against average,…

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The Hockey News (Digital) - 1 Issue, Goalie Issue 2024

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