Buffalo Sabres: The Buffalo Sabres had a very rough week. They fired the National Hockey League’s longest-tenured coach, Lindy Ruff, and replaced him with an interim leader in Ron Rolston. Ruff had been head coach since the 1997-1998 season, reaching the playoffs eight times and the Stanley Cup once. To make matters worse, in the first game since the firing, the Sabres fell to the Toronto Maple Leafs with a score of 3-1, looking equally as lackluster as they did under Ruff.

On Saturday, the Sabres got shut out by the New York Islanders 4-0. Sabres play the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight on the road. Buffalo currently stands last in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-12-1.

Buffalo Bills: The Buffalo Bills are still in the process of revamping their roster for the 2013 season. With uncertainty surrounding their wide receiver corps, the Bills did not re-sign restricted free-agent David Nelson—the estimated cost to bring the slot receiver back was $1.3 million. Nelson only played one game last season due to a torn ACL.

Meanwhile, Buffalo decided to extend the contract of assistant general manager Doug Whaley. He spent 10 years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is expected to become the full GM when Buddy Nix steps down.

Canisius College basketball: Canisius men’s basketball could not hold off the Vermont Catamounts on the road in the Ramada ESPN Bracketbuster. Harold Washington put up a season-high 29 points as the Griffs fell 87-79. Chris Manhertz recorded his 21st double-digit rebound game of his career. The Griffs record drops to 17-11, but they still sit third in the MAAC as they gear up for postseason play. Their next game is against the Saint Peter’s Peacocks at the Koessler Athletic Center on Thursday.

Niagara University Basketball: Niagara University men’s basketball team dominated as they downed the nation’s highest-scoring team, Northeastern State Riverhawks 92-76. Antoine Mason scored 20 points after missing four games with a sprained ankle and Juan’ya Green also dropped 20. Green also moved up and currently ranks 49th nationally in assists. The Purple Eagles improve their record to 17-11 along with a three-game win streak. Niagara plays the Rider Broncs on Thursday at home.

University of Buffalo basketball: The UB men’s basketball team played an all-around great game against the Manhattan Jaspers but lost due to turnovers. They recorded 24 turnovers in as they lost 65-64. The Bulls out-shot the Jaspers 55 percent to 42 percent from the field. Tony Watson scored his third-straight 20-point game with 24. The Bulls’ record falls to 11-16 as they prepare for the MAC tournament. Buffalo’s next game is Wednesday against Kent State at home.

Buffalo Bandits: The Bandits play a big game on the road against the Toronto Rock on Thursday. They’re coming off a win against the Rochester Knighthawks where Anthony Cosmo has been named the National Lacrosse League Defensive Player of the Week. For more information on the Bandits just shy of the season’s mid-point, check out the most recent “Stock Watch” post.