Buffalo-born Bailey is Sabres bound
Justin Bailey phones home to the Buffalo suburb of Williamsville to talk to his mother on a regular basis; at least once a week, usually more.
A lot of times, the Rochester Americans rookie right winger will call shortly after practice. How's everything? How are grandma and grandpa? You're coming to the game this weekend, right?
They'll talk a little hockey, too, but they rarely get into the specifics of the game at the American Hockey League level.
This was pretty much the case last week, before the Amerks headed on the road to play the Syracuse Crunch and Binghamton Senators on the weekend.
"He said, 'I'm not calling for comfort, I'm not calling for hockey advice,' " his mother, Karen Buscaglia, said. "I said, 'OK, I never played hockey so I really can't tell you about that, but I can tell you how life works."
And so, as the Amerks came out of the AHL All-Star break, she proceeded to provide a little motherly advice: It's time to make a statement, time to make sure you're doing everything you can.
"I just said you have to separate yourself from the pack," Buscaglia said.
Bailey, 20, took the words to heart. On Friday, he scored a goal and assisted on another in a 5-4 victory at Syracuse. Then next night, he scored two goals and assisted one one in a 4-0 victory at Binghamton.
That kind of performance, coming on the heels of strong play heading into the All-Star break, will get you noticed. And more.
In need of a forward due to injuries to Zemgus Girgensons and Johan Larsson, the Buffalo Sabres recalled Bailey on Wednesday afternoon. He flew with the team to Philadelphia and could make his NHL debut against the Flyers on Thursday night.
If he's in the lineup, he'll be the fourth Buffalo-area native to play for the Sabres, joining a list that includes Scott Thomas, Tim Kennedy and Patrick Kaleta.
Bailey learned of his promotion after practice from Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth. His mother found out when Justin phoned home a few minutes later.
"I'm kind of numb," she said. "I wasn't expecting this at all but I have faith in him and in God.
Buscaglia was at work at Stampede Presentation Products when the call came. Her co-workers, who by now are big fans of Bailey, soon knew what was happening.
"The whole office was like, 'Road trip!' " she said.
Buscaglia and her mother and father, Donna and Bob Tronolone, indeed plan to make the trip to Philly.
"I'm lucky having the kind of family I have," she said. "My dad, he's done all the road trips with me and all the practices. He has a great relationship with Justin."
The recall wasn't rushed by any means. A month ago, Bailey was in the conversation when the Sabres needed a forward, but they chose to go with more experienced players in Phil Varone and Cal O'Reilly. The same was true last week when Dan Catenacci was promoted.
In a perfect world, the Sabres won't fast-track their prospects to the NHL. The unofficial motto: Better to be overdone than underdone.
Bailey had shown flashes early, begin to find consistency in December and most recently has put together a fairly solid month of two-way play. Over his past eight games he has produced 5 goals, 6 assists and 11 points. For the season, he ranks fourth in the Amerks in scoring with 10 goals (only Varone, with 12, has more) and 13 assists.
"For quite a while I think he's been playing a good brand of hockey," Amerks coach Randy Cunneyworth said.
Bailey has an NHL shot (when he hits the net), NHL speed and NHL acceleration. He only needs a stride or three and he's at full speed. There's amazing power in his strides.
He's understanding responsibilities away from the puck, "the thinking part of the game," Cunneyworth said. He's also trying to play with more snarl.
"Last game he went to the front of the net and he took a little bit of a beating and he gave it back, which he wasn't always willing to do," Cunneyworth said.
"I'm excited for him. Whenever you see a guy like Catenacci or him get his opportunity, we're excited."
Not nearly as excited as his family, though.
KEVINO@gannett.com
