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Hispanic heritage displayed in Bisons new ‘Luces de Buffalo’ uniforms

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — On Tuesday the Bisons unveiled a new “Luces de Buffalo” alternate uniform to celebrate the Hispanic and Latino cultures living in the area and the game of baseball.

“Luces de Buffalo”, which translates to ‘Lights of Buffalo’ in English, originated as an alternate team identity after a collaboration with the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY.

The uniforms celebrate the city’s large affiliation with the early 20th-century Pan-Americanism movement and the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901. Buffalo was coined the ‘City of Light’ nickname for it being one of the first cities with electricity.

In the “L” of “Luces” on the jersey is Buffalo’s Electric Tower, along with the city’s skyline stretching across the remaining letters. The logo shown on the shoulder and on the cap is a symbol from the Taino, who were indigenous people of the Caribbean. This symbol represents ‘sun’ or ‘light’, to portray the numerous Hispanic cultures that exist in Western New York. The lighting bolts in the symbol and around the “L” on the jersey reciprocate the lighting bolts on the city flag.

“The Bisons organization is thrilled to launch ‘Luces to Buffalo’ to pay tribute to not only the impact that so many great Hispanic and Latino players have had on the field for the Bisons, but also to celebrate the cultures and contributions of the many contributions and the rich cultural heritage of Hispanic baseball players on and off the field,” Mike Buczkowski, President of Rich Baseball Operations said.

The jerseys will be worn in three home games during the 2024 campaign:

May 26 vs. St. Paul

July 25 vs. Syracuse

Sept. 6 vs. Lehigh Valley

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Bills, Sabres hire Pete Guelli as chief operating officer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Pete Guelli, a Rochester native with more than 25 years of experience working in professional sports, has been hired as chief operating officer for the Buffalo Bills and Sabres, the organizations jointly announced Tuesday.

Josh Dziurlikowski, who had been serving as interim COO of the Bills since the October firing of John Roth, will move into a senior vice president of finance and business operations role, while Sabres interim COO Rob Minter was named vice president of business operations.

“I’d first like to thank Josh and Rob for their outstanding work and leadership as interim COOs,” owner Terry Pegula said in a news release. “It was a challenging transition and period for each of them and we are fortunate to be able to retain them in other leadership roles within each organization.”

The 59-year-old Guelli, a graduate of Aquinas Institute and SUNY Brockport, most recently spent five years as chief business officer of the New York Giants, and prior to that chief operating officer for the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets. He worked for the Bills from 1998-2009, helping to oversee the team’s expansion into the Rochester market by moving training camp to St. John Fisher College.

Pegula said, “It was hard not to be impressed with the experience and overall business acumen of Pete Guelli. The New York market is the largest in our country and highly competitive and he did an outstanding job on all levels of their business operation.”

“His work in helping turn around the Charlotte Hornets franchise in the NBA was remarkable,” Pegula said. “He is a proven leader with tremendous skills and experience in the sports business landscape. With the upcoming changes on the way in both team’s venues, we are happy to have Pete to help lead our teams.”

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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.

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Jeff Skinner nets hat trick, early barrage leads Sabres to first win vs. Kraken

SEATTLE (AP) — Jeff Skinner had a hat trick, with his first goal coming during a three-goal outburst in the first six minutes to chase Seattle Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord, and the Buffalo Sabres cruised to a 6-2 victory Monday night.

Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch also scored in the first period for the Sabres, who earned their first win in six tries against the third-year Kraken. With 71 points, Buffalo is four behind Washington for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot with 13 games left.

Owen Power had Buffalo’s other goal. Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 32 saves.

The three-goal barrage came after Jordan Eberle gave the Kraken a 1-0 lead just 24 seconds into the game. Matty Beniers scored on a power play late in the first but the Kraken lost their fifth straight game — all at home.

Daccord made four saves before being pulled. Phillip Grubauer came on and stopped 23 shots the rest of the way. With 68 points, Seattle is 11 out of a Western Conference playoff berth with 15 games remaining.

Just moments after Eberle put Seattle on top, Thompson tied it on a shot from just outside the top of the right circle that zipped past Daccord at the 49-second mark.

Skinner gave the Sabres a 2-1 lead at 3:56. Tuch’s shot from the top of the slot at 5:41 made it 3-1 and sent Daccord to the bench.

Skinner and Power scored 24 seconds apart midway through the second, boosting the margin to 5-2. Skinner capped his hat trick with 1:58 left in the game.

UP NEXT

Sabres visit the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday night.

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UB, Niagara accept invitations to WNIT

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — UB and Niagara women’s basketball aren’t done playing quite yet.

The Bulls and Purple Eagles will both participate in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament, which begins play on Wednesday.

Niagara accepted its second consecutive bid as an automatic qualifier for being the runner-up in the MAAC conference tournament, while UB was invited as an at-large qualifier.

Both teams came up just short in their respective conference tournaments after solid regular seasons. The Purple Eagles (20-13) heartbreakingly fell in the MAAC championship game, losing to nationally-ranked Fairfield 70-62 in overtime on Saturday. Meanwhile, a poor second half doomed the Bulls (19-13) on Saturday, losing 78-60 to Kent State in the MAC title game.

The WNIT bracket and round-one game times will be announced Monday.

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Adam Gorski is a Buffalo native who joined the News 4 team in 2022. You can find more of his work here.

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Daemen basketball teams advance in NCAA D2 tournament

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — While Western New York’s Big 4 basketball teams had their Big Dance dreams dashed during conference championship week, both of Daemen University’s teams moved on in the NCAA Division II tournament.

The women’s basketball team advanced to the East Regional final with two victories against higher-seeded opponents in Waltham, Massachusetts. Beating No. 3-seed St. Rose, 52-47, on Friday, and No. 2 Assumption, 68-58, on Saturday, the Wildcats (22-8) have now won six games in the past four NCAA tournaments under coach Jenepher Banker. Daemen will meet No. 1 Bentley (27-6), the regional host, at 7 p.m. Monday for a berth in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Daemen’s men’s basketball team won 74-66 in its opening-round matchup against Jefferson in Colchester, Vermont. The No. 4-seed Wildcats (25-8) will play host Saint Michaels (23-8) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the regional semifinals.


MacDonald father and son embracing last March together at Daemen

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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.

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Reggie Witherspoon done at Canisius after 8 seasons as basketball coach

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Reggie Witherspoon will not return as men’s basketball coach at Canisius University. The Golden Griffins announced Saturday that Witherspoon and athletic director Bill Maher have “agreed to mutually part ways,” after seven seasons.

“In Reggie Witherspoon’s eight years as the head coach of Canisius men’s basketball, he led our program with class and integrity, instilling these important values in his student-athletes,” Maher said in a news release.

Witherspoon went 108-130 at Canisius, after compiling a 198-228 record for University at Buffalo from 1999-2013. A Sweet Home High School graduate, he also coached his alma mater, and at Erie Community College.

“I have known Reggie for more than 25 years, having worked with him for at least half of that time,” said Maher, whose time in UB’s athletics department coincided with Witherspoon’s arrival as coach. “The importance of the team, and the development of the young men in our program, has always been his primary focus. I am grateful for his positive impact on the Canisius campus and the broader Western New York basketball community. I thank Reggie, Dawn and the entire extended Witherspoon family for their time at Canisius.”

Canisius finished this season at 14-18 with a loss to top-seeded Quinnipiac in the MAAC quarterfinals. It was the fourth losing season in five years. The Griffs won a regular season championship in 2018 but never reached the conference semifinals under Witherspoon.

Maher said a national search for the Griff’s next men’s basketball coach is an important element of the university’s strategic plan.

“As we look to this next chapter of Golden Griffin men’s basketball, our goals are clear,” Maher said. “We are determined to build a men’s basketball program that can compete for MAAC Championships and will do so with student-athletes who represent what is best about Canisius University. Leveraging intercollegiate athletics to better engage our alumni and community, while creating an engaging student experience, is an important element of our university’s strategic plan—Answer the Call. A successful men’s basketball program is essential in achieving our ambitions.”

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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.

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Patrick Kane’s Red Wings halt Sabres win streak

DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane scored a tiebreaking goal late in the second period and James Reimer stopped 25 shots, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday in a matchup of teams vying for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Detroit earned a desperately needed win after losing seven straight games in regulation for the first time since early in the 2019-20 season. The slump dropped the Red Wings out of a favorable position to end a postseason drought that dates to 2016.

Buffalo had won three straight, including a 7-3 win over Detroit, to improve its chances of rallying into a playoff spot for the first time since 2011.

Tage Thompson had a power play goal midway through the first period to put Buffalo ahead.

Christian Fischer scored in the second period for Detroit.

The Red Wings pulled away with two goals in the third period, taking a 3-1 lead with 6:08 left when Daniel Sprong scored — a game after he was a healthy scratch — with 6:08 remaining and sealing the victory with Lucas Raymond’s empty-net goal.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen finished with 22 saves for Buffalo.

UP NEXT

Sabres open four-game road trip at Seattle on Monday night.

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UB women’s run ends in MAC title game

CLEVELAND (AP) — Katie Shumate had 18 points and nine rebounds to lead Kent State past Buffalo 78-60 on Saturday, winning the MAC Tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002.

The Golden Flashes will be making their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

After trailing 34-30 at halftime, the Golden Flashes dominated the third quarter, outscoring the Bulls 29-13 to take a 59-47 lead into the final period.

Dionna Gray’s 3-pointer gave the Golden Flashes a 38-37 lead a couple of minutes into the third quarter and they held the lead for the remainder of the game. Buffalo was still within 46-45 with about 4 1/2 minutes left in the third, but Shumate had a three-point play and a 3-pointer in Kent State’s 13-2 run finish the period.

Buffalo rallied in the fourth quarter and a 3-pointer by Hattie Ogden had the Bulls within 66-58 with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining. Kent State then clamped down on defense, allowing just two points the rest of the way. Shumate hit a jumper and assisted on 3-pointers by Jenna Batsch and Gray as Kent State closed out the win.

Kent State scored 48 points in the second half.

Gray and Batsch each scored 14 points and Mikala Morris added 11 for Kent State (21-10). Bridget Dunn had 12 rebounds and Shumate added three assists and three blocked shots.

Chellia Watson had 21 points, Rana Elhusseini 11 and Alexis Davis 10 for Buffalo (19-13).

Buffalo, the No. 4 seed, upset top-seeded Toledo 77-74 in overtime in the semifinals. No. 3 Kent State defeated No. 2 Ball State 67-50 in the other semifinal.

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UB women upset top-seeded Toledo, advance to MAC title game

CLEVELAND (WIVB) — The University at Buffalo women’s basketball team is one win away from returning to the NCAA Tournament.

The Bulls upset No. 1 seed Toledo with a 77-74 overtime win Friday at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland to advance to Saturday’s MAC tournament title game. It marks the team’s first appearance in the conference championship under second-year head coach Becky Burke.


Tracking WNY men’s basketball teams in March Madness

Buffalo, the No. 4 seed, was in control for most of the game, leading by as many as 16 points in the third quarter as they carried a 53-38 advantage into the fourth. However, the Rockets (26-5, 17-1) came soaring back, embarking on a 17-2 run to tie the game with 5:29 to play.

Both teams had opportunities to win the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, but regulation ended with the score tied at 67.

Despite losing a significant lead, Buffalo (19-12, 10-8) kept its composure in overtime.

A Kristen Lewis-Williams layup with 1:08 gave the Bulls a 74-72 advantage that they would not relinquish, as Toledo never led in overtime. Clutch free throws from Paula Lopez and Hattie Ogden paired with defensive stops helped secure the win. The Rockets had a chance to tie the game in the dying seconds of overtime but missed on a 3-pointer.

Chellia Watson once again led the way for the Bulls, finishing with 30 points to go with five assists, four rebounds and five steals while playing all 45 minutes. Lewis-Williams chipped in 15 points.

UB will play the winner of No. 2 seed Ball State (28-4, 16-2) and No. 3 Kent State (19-10, 13-5) at 11 a.m. Saturday in Cleveland. The game will air on CBS Sports Network.

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Sabres win 3rd in a row, 3 points out of playoff position

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Sabres scored three goals within 10 minutes of the second period to secure their third consecutive victory, 3-0 against the New York Islanders on Thursday night at KeyBank Center, moving within three points of the final wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 21 saves for his 5th career shutout, 18-year-old Zach Benson had two goals for the first time in his rookie season, Victor Olofsson and Dylan Cozens also, and Buffalo’s record (32-30-5) rose two wins above .500 for the first time this season.

Winning for the eighth time in 13 games over the past four weeks, the Sabres continue closing in on the Islanders and Red Wings, the team they beat two nights ago and visit on Saturday, after Detroit lost its seventh in a row at Arizona on Thursday night. Buffalo was tied with Washington in the standings with 69 points before the Capitals’ late game Tuesday at Seattle.

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Jonah Bronstein joined the WIVB squad in 2022 as a digital sports reporter. The Buffalonian has covered the Bills, Sabres, Bandits, Bisons, colleges, high schools and other notable sporting events in Western New York since 2005, for publications including The Associated Press, The Buffalo News, and Niagara Gazette. Read more of his work here.

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