The defenseman leads team with three fights, 15 blocked shots in 4 games
By Jourdon LaBarber / Sabres.com
Asked if he knew which player leads the NHL in fights this season, Nathan Beaulieu looked toward the end stall in the Buffalo Sabres dressing room and laughed.
“Probably Bogo,” he said.
Zach Bogosian hadn’t played in a game this season before the Sabres embarked on a five-game road trip out west on Oct. 12. He returned for practice at KeyBank Center on Tuesday with an NHL-leading three fights, a team-high 15 blocked shots and a goal under his belt.
All in all, it was a pretty busy road trip.
“There’s going to be times where there’s ups and downs, but I’m happy with how I started,” the defenseman said. “I just got to keep building off that. I think there’s so much room to grow and so much room for our team to improve. I’m looking forward to just getting back in the swing of things. It feels nice to be back.”
Bogosian’s had a long road back since undergoing hip surgery in January, which ended his season after just 18 games. He was forced to miss the first five games of this season after sustaining a lower-body injury in camp, which the Sabres handled with caution.
He admitted the pace of the game felt fast when he returned to the lineup in Vegas last Tuesday, but he’s been more comfortable with each passing night. He registered five hits and blocked eight shots in his second game, in San Jose on Thursday.
The sacrifice wasn’t lost on his teammates.
“You love it,” Beaulieu said. “The way he boxes guys out and gets in shots lanes – I remember I used to hate playing against him because as a D-man, you’re always trying to get it past that winger to get it on net and trying not to worry about the second layer, but he’s always there.
“I mean, this guy will throw his face in front of a puck if he needs to. It’s great to see him being back and having fun and playing hockey. It’s been a long road for him, so it’s great to see him have a smile on his face.”
That game in San Jose ended with Bogosian in the middle of a scrum, with Kyle Okposo scrapping on his left and Jake McCabe engaging on his right. The defenseman shook off his gloves and searched for an opponent, ultimately settling for Joakim Ryan.
Bogosian added Kyle Clifford to his fight card in Los Angeles on Saturday, then fought Ryan Kesler in Anaheim on Sunday. His three fights in four games have already matched a career-high, according to hockeyfights.com.
“He’s a very emotional player,” Sabres coach Phil Housley said. “He tends to read how the game’s going and if we need a spark or if somebody’s taking liberties with one of our younger guys, he steps up. He plays an important role for our team.”
Bogosian chalked his fight streak up to a matter of circumstance.
“I think it’s just the passion that I play with,” he said. “I think over the last few years I’ve been hurt quite a bit. I haven’t been in the lineup to maybe do some of those things. So, it’s (not) a new mentality for me, it’s just those three situations happen.
“… I’m not looking to do it all the time. It’s just kind of spur-of-the-moment. Sticking up for yourself, your teammates is kind of what I’ve always done my entire career, how I look at it. … I’m not looking to fight every night. I want to play some hockey. I can help out while I’m on the ice.”
To only mention Bogosian’s fighting wouldn’t do his impact justice. He’s hasn’t been on the ice for a five-on-five goal against despite a 60.6 defensive-zone start percentage, the highest mark among Sabres defensemen (according to hockeyreference.com).
He’s been active along the boards in the offensive zone, too, helping to create a Jeff Skinner goal in Los Angeles and later scoring one of his own.
“I think he brings a physical element,” Housley said. “I’m not talking about just dropping your gloves, I’m talking about being hard to play against in front of our net and in the corners. But I like his offensive side of the game. He can jump in the play, he reads the play well defensively, his passing’s really good.
“Also, his experience in the room. Guys, when he speaks, they listen. He’s done a terrific job since he’s been back in the lineup.”