Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - JJ Peterka makes his return to Buffalo for the first time on Tuesday to play the Sabres after being traded to the Utah Mammoth during the summer.
That means Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring and winger Josh Doan will also be going up against their former teammates for the first time.
In 12 games this season, Peterka has four goals and six assists for 10 points, and is also plus-6. In his last five games, he has six points.
When he was asked if he asked to be traded during the offseason, Peterka dodged the question.
"I met so many great people in the organization, I had so many good friends. But I think right now my focus is on Utah and on the season," said Peterka following the Utah morning skate.
When many players they come back to a team, they get booed by the fans. Peterka doesn’t know the reception he’ll get on Tuesday, but says he liked the fans in his time in Buffalo.
"I always had a good relationship with the fans. They were always good to me, so we’ll see," Peterka said.
Peterka has a few good memories about playing in Buffalo, which made him smile.
"I think my first game, that’s something that will be in my head forever. And scoring my first goal too was pretty special," Peterka recalled. "I think all the friendships I made in the organization, and I’m still really good friends with a lot of the guys."
Peterka seems very happy being in Utah and playing for the Mammoth.
"It’s been good. It was super exciting, got off to a really good start, and I’m just enjoying it right now," he said.
Kesselring is also looking forward to going up against some old friends.
"It’ll be cool," he said following Monday's practice. "I’ll definitely be a little nervous. I have some good friends on that side, and those are the guys that helped me get into the league and show me the way."
When your friends are on the ice, it may not be easy to throw a body check at them. Kesselring says not to worry, he’ll follow through.
"I was texting [Logan] Cooley and we were chirping back-and-forth - me, Josh [Doan] and 'Cools'. It’ll be fun to get a run at some of those guys and play them hard," he said.
Kesselring has played three games since returning from his preseason injury and has been OK. It’s almost been like his preseason, but the big defenseman says the time has come for him to start rediscovering his game.
"I think some system stuff I’m still adjusting to, but it's been enough games now where I just want to get my legs going a little bit," Kesselring admitted. "I’m feeling a little bit better with the injury and getting more comfortable, and I’m getting closer to 100%. So I think consistency, details, because in the last two, there have been ups and downs in the games. I want to get myself going here. I’ve had enough time, and it’s time to put the foot on the gas and play at the level I know I can play at."
Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff is looking forward to seeing Kesselring at his best.
"I think he’s still trying to feel comfortable with the way we play, and I don’t want to judge until 10-15 games," Ruff said this week. "You’ve got to get comfortable. He spent a lot of time out of the lineup, he missed a lot of practices that puts him behind a lot of reps where I don’t think he’s at the top of his game yet. There’s a lot more to see there."
Of course it’ll be sentimental for Doan too.
"It’s a game that’s been circled for awhile, and it’s a big one for us," said Doan on Monday after practice. "It’s just one of those things where a couple of shifts will be different, but once it settles in, it’ll just be another game."
Buffalo has just one regulation loss in its last nine games, yet the only thing the Sabres have been able to do is keep up. Buffalo is bunched with 10 other teams in the Eastern Conference that have either 14 or 13 points. That means they’re tied for last place, one point out of the playoffs.
The Sabres have points in 8-of-9 games, going 5-1-3. That’s a .722 points percentage. They also have points in six-straight home games, going 5-0-1.
Noah Ostlund was called up from the Rochester Americans on Tuesday. They needed a guy, as Ruff says Jason Zucker is sick and is worse than he was Monday. Neither him nor Jiri Kulich will likely be ready for Tueday’s game.
Some good news for the Sabres, though, is center Tyson Kozak was on the ice for the first time in a week-and-a-half. Ruff is hopeful he can play Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.
Alex Lyon will likely be back in goal for the Sabres after getting a game off. He’s 3-4-2 this season with a 2.90 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.
As for the Mammoth, Cooley has been red-hot for Utah, scoring seven goals and four assists for 11 points in his last eight games.
Nick Schmaltz is their leading scorer with seven goals and 10 assists for 17 points in 12 games played. He’s only had two games where he hasn’t had a point.
Karel Vejmelka has played 5-of-6 games in goal. He’s 6-3-0 this season with a 2.79 goals-against average and an .890 save percentage.
Both Mammoth goaltenders are lights out against Buffalo in their careers. Vejmelka is 4-2-1 with a 1.86 goals-against average and a .940 save percentage. Meanwhile, Vitek Vanecek is 12-2-1 all-time against Buffalo with a 2.18 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage.
Utah had won seven games in-a-row before losing their last two.
Tune in during "Schopp and the Bulldog" for pregame coverage on WGR starting at 6 p.m. when you’ll hear from Peterka, Kesselring and Doan.
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