One of the most recognizable voices in Buffalo Sabres history is joining the team's Hall of

Fame. So is the "Coach."



Jim Lorentz, who parlayed his Sabres playing career into a 26-year run as a broadcaster for

the team, was selected Wednesday as one of the newest members of the Sabres Hall of Fame. He

will be inducted alongside Joe Crozier, who coached the Sabres from 1972-74 and has spent the

past 26 years in various front-office positions.

The enshrinement ceremony will take place Feb. 9 in HSBC Arena prior to the game against

the Boston Bruins.

Lorentz played seven of his 10 seasons with the Sabres, recording 134 goals and 331 points

in 485 games. The most famous moment for the 62-year-old came during Game Three of the 1975

Stanley Cup finals, when he swatted a bat out of midair in Memorial Auditorium.

The next generation of Sabres fans knew Lorentz from turning on their televisions or

radios. From 1981 to 1992, Lorentz was the radio color man for Ted Darling and Rick Jeanneret.

From 1992 till 2007, Lorentz handled the same role for television broadcasts.

The 80-year-old Crozier, still known around the arena as "Coach," was at the helm of the

Sabres for 2 seasons. He was named NHL Coach of the Year by the Hockey News following

the 1972-73 season, as the Sabres went 37-27-14 in their third year of existence.

Prior to joining the Sabres, Crozier won three titles with the Rochester Americans of the

American Hockey League. He coached the Toronto Maple Leafs for parts of two seasons in the

early '80s and retired from the bench in 1984.

. . .





Rochester, the Sabres' longtime minor-league affiliate, visits HSBC Arena tonight to meet

Buffalo's newest partner. The Portland Pirates face the Amerks at 7 p.m. with plenty of

tickets available ranging from $15 to $25.

Three familiar names led the Pirates in scoring heading into Wednesday night's game against

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Mark Mancari, who held out during training camp, was atop the list with

eight assists and 12 points. Rookie Tyler Ennis had a team-high six goals with 11 points,

while Nathan Gerbe was next with three goals and 10 points.

The Amerks, affiliated with the Florida Panthers, are still paced by center Chris Taylor.

Taylor played parts of four seasons in Buffalo, and the 37-year-old has 14 points, including

10 assists.

"We're expecting an extremely tough game against a revamped Rochester team," Portland coach

Kevin Dineen said. "We know there's a rivalry that still lingers for some of our players,

which will make for an exciting matchup."

. . .





Sabres goaltender Patrick Lalime missed his fourth straight game Wednesday when the

Edmonton Oilers visited the arena, but he took the ice for the morning skate. It his first

appearance since suffering a groin strain Nov. 2.

"I felt good," Lalime said. "It was a nice first day really practicing, getting some shots,

but I felt good. The first one you're a little more careful maybe. You don't want to make it

happen again."



There is no timetable for Lalime's return, but coach Lindy Ruff expects Lalime to

participate fully in practice today.

"We'll know more in the next couple days for sure," Lalime said.

Defenseman Toni Lydman also skated in the morning, but he missed his eighth straight game

with a groin injury. Adam Mair and Nathan Paetsch were the scratches.