Mika News
August 4, 2006
Mika is going to play in Russia this season for AK BARS KAZA�. There is an article on TSN about it.
March 20, 2006
Mika stopped all nine shots he faced last night against Detroit after replacing Alex Auld.
March 12, 2006
From the Vancouver Sun:
EARLY RISER: Noronen had an early start Friday, leaving his Buffalo home at 4:15 a.m. and arriving just before the Canucks' noon practice.
After being the odd-man out in the Sabres goaltending troika, he is excited about getting the chance to play.
"This is a big-time opportunity," Noronen said. "He (Canuck coach Marc Crawford) said I am going to play one game soon and even one game is better than none."
Crawford figures to use Noronen on the team's three-game road trip that begins Monday night in Dallas and Tuesday night's game in Nashville seems the logical choice.
"He'll play some and his performance will dictate how much he plays," Crawford said.
March 9, 2006
Finally!! Mika was traded to the Vancouver Canucks for a second-round draft pick. According to this article, Mika is going to be backing up Alex Auld (who also has Mika's #35).
March 2, 2006
Mika was assigned to the Rochester Americans for conditioning. He played last night against Peoria and lost 3-2 with 30 saves.
November 27, 2004
Here's a link for the Buffalo News article about the Sabres players having babies this year, including Mika and Hanna who's daughter Nella was born August 4th. Click here.
November 26, 2004
Here's some info from the Tappara website about the Tappara/HPK game that Mika played on November 20th.
Another overtime game for Tappara, and this time a loss on overtime, giving the team one point. The visitors in Tampere were HPK. The teams met for the third time this season and every time an extra time has been needed, and every time HPK has won it. Tappara hasn't won HPK in 14 regular season match-ups.
Yesterday's biggest hero on the ice was once again the opponent's goalie. This time the goalie was an own boy, too: Buffalo Sabres' Mika Noronen is a Tappara junior product, trained with the team this summer, too, but there was no room in the goalie department to give him a job when the NHL lockout started. He then found a spot in HPK, and was now responsible for taking the win from Tappara. Basically that happened in the 1st period, when Tappara bombarded him with 18 shots and could have taken a bigger lead, but Noronen kept the game tight. Later the game evened out a bit, but it's not very wrong to say that once again Tappara lost the points because of their own inability to score goals. Bring back Ville Nieminen!
The only goal that Tappara managed to put past Noronen in the 1st period was again a fluke one. They can't score on great chances, but passing attempts seem to go in from opponents' skates. Yesterday it was Stefan �hman's pass that bounced in to give Tappara the lead. His 5th goal of the season lifted him past Nieminen in the first place in Tappara's scoring leaders - only now when Nieminen has already missed eight games.
HPK scored twice in less than two minutes at the end of the 2nd period. Both goals came from a defenseman moving closer and putting an accurate wrister past Mika Lehto - shots that Tappara players seem not to be able to make. HPK's second goal came on powerplay.
The visitors had the chance to finish the game when Tappara received a penalty four minutes before the end. But while shorthanded, Marko M�kinen stole the puck on Tappara's blueline, rushed on a breakaway and made nice moves on Noronen to tie the game. The goal was made even more important by the fact that it was the first goal this season for M�kinen.
The overtime went on for 1.37 before HPK's Josh Holden scored with a wrister to Lehto's stick side: 3-2 for the visitors.
November 1, 2004
Mika has signed a lock out deal with HPK H�meenlinna in the Finnish League. You can visit their website at HPK.
October 22, 2004
Lukko Rauma signed Dwayne Roloson so I guess Mika's not going there.
October 8, 2004
It's posted on European Hockey Net that Mika is rumored to be signing a lock out deal with Lukko Rauma in the Finnish League.
December 14
There's an article from the Buffalo news with some quotes from Mika.
Here's the link to read it.
The article mentions that Mika might get the start in Philadelphia tonight. I'm sure he will because I can't go. Mika will always get the games in Philly when I can't go or get tickets.
I just hope they remember that if the Sabres lose, you can't blame Mika after not playing him for a month.
November 19
The Sabres recalled goaltender Ryan Miller from Rochester because they are unhappy with both Martin Biron and Mika. Read the article from the Buffalo News here.
July 18
Mika signed a two year contract with the Sabres.
Here are links for 2 articles about Mika signing.
Sabres keep Noronen with multiyear deal
Sabres sign Noronen, Miller may be next
Also Martin Biron filed for arbitration today. That means he will be signed before the beginning of camp and Mika will have to compete with him for the starting goaltending position.
July 12
Restricted free agent Mika agreed to terms on a multi year contract with Buffalo. So far that's all I know. Hopefully the Sabres signed him intending to give him a fair chance to play a good amount of games in the NHL this season...more than the 10 games he played in last season.
July 7
There was an article about Ryan Miller in the Buffalo News. You can read it here.
There isn't anything about Mika other than Ryan Miller's comment: "There is a job opening in Rochester because Biron and Noronen are fine goaltenders and deserve to be in the NHL. There's room."
April 11
Mika played tonight against the Phantoms in his only Calder Cup playoff game of the season and lost 3-2. So Mika is finished for this season. It was a bad way for Mika to end his season...not getting more games in Buffalo even after they were eliminated from the playoffs and then going into the AHL playoffs having not played recently and with your team already down 1-0 in a best of 3 series.
April 10
Buffalo reassigned Mika to Rochester today. Tom Askey lost game 1 in Philly. Since the Amerks are eliminated if they don't win tomorrow's game, I would think you have to start Mika. I'm going to the game!!
April 8
The Rochester Americans play the Philadelphia Phantoms in the Calder Cup playoffs starting tomorrow. But since Mika is still in Buffalo I doubt they will make it past this round. I hope Mika atleast gets to play a game in Buffalo since he isn't playing for Rochester in the playoffs.
April 5
It doesn't look like Buffalo is making the playoffs this season, but Mika is on Rochester's playoff roster so assuming Buffalo assigns him back to Rochester after their season ends, maybe Mika will still get to play some more this year. Before tonight's games, Rochester is 9th in their conference.
March 29 (2)
Article about Mika's start in St Louis:
Noronen got the nod after Martin Biron allowed soft goals in his past three starts, all of them losses. Noronen played superbly in the first period. He stopped all 11 shots he faced, including several from point-blank range.
But the Blues took control of the game in the second period, and Noronen
didn't get much help from the skaters in front of him. The Sabres hung
Noronen out to dry on several plays.
"None of the goals were Mika's fault," Patrick said. "They were our fault. We made one mistake after another."
Cory Stillman scored on a breakaway slap shot, 2:18 into the second period. Tyson Nash, untouched during a scramble in front of the crease, swept a
loose puck into the net at 6:29, moments after Al MacInnis rang the post.
Twenty-eight seconds later, Keith Tkachuk nearly scored on a breakaway. His
shot from about 8 feet struck Noronen's chest and rolled precariously past
the post. Tkachuk did score 9:09 into the second period, following up on Chris
Pronger's wrister from the right circle that clanged off the left post and
onto the doorstep. Tkachuk scored again on a backhander that required a review with 7:13 left in the second. Noronen appeared to have stopped the shot, but defenseman Jason Woolley, trying to break up the play, collided with Noronen. The puck trickled across the goal line and prompted Ruff to switch goalies.
"If you get four goals against in 10 minutes you don't even feel like being there anymore," Noronen said. "It was the right decision. Maybe even after
the third (goal) some sort of wake-up call would have been good."
March 29 (1)
I'm not going by what the Buffalo News says anymore. Everytime I think Mika will start and then change my mind because of what is being said, then Mika does start like I thought he should. Unfortunately for Mika, the Sabres did not play well for him last night. Mika had a great 1st period. With the Sabres only having 13 shots the whole game, there wasn't much hope of Mika winning even if he didn't give up any goals to St Louis. Mika still deserves another start in Buffalo this season.
March 28
Lindy Ruff said Mika will get a game on the Sabres road trip...most likely the game in Philadelphia on Saturday.
March 21
I thought this was cute from the Buffalo paper:
"Last week, Ruff was behind the bench, sweating out a game against the
Philadelphia Flyers in which Noronen faced 24 shots in the first 40 minutes. Ray stopped the rookie on the way to the dressing room after the second
period.
'Man, that was a lot of shots, Mika,' Ray said.
Noronen never flinched.
'Yeah,' Noronen said. 'Isn't this fun?'"
March 19
Lindy Ruff announced that Mika will remain with the Sabres for the rest of the season.
March 16
Martin Biron was pulled at 6:06 of the 1st period against the Florida Panthers. Mika played the rest of the game giving up 2 goals on 17 shots.
March 14 (2)
Mika did play tonight!! And he played so well too...winning 3-1 against the Flyers with 31 saves. I had to watch on the Flyers station (with Flyers fans), but Mika was named player of the game on Flyers tv. It was great to get to watch Mika playing in the NHL. But I should have been at the game instead of in front of the tv.
It will be interesting what happens with the rest of the season with the trading deadline coming up next week. I thought that he was recalled so the Sabres could watch him play alittle more before the trading deadline and before the end of the season to make their final decisions about what to do with their goalie situation. It's good to see Mika making the decisions hard for them.
March 14 (1)
I guess Mika probably isn't playing tonight. Atleast that's what all the articles today are saying...that Mika will probably get one of the games in Florida. I don't see why they can't let Mika play the game when everyone can watch him on ESPN. Biron gets to play plenty of games that everyone can watch. Best of luck to Mika whenever he gets to play!!
March 13
Mika was recalled to Buffalo today!! Hopefully he gets the start against Philadelphia tomorrow. And I heard it's on ESPN/ESPN2 so make sure you watch. I will be. Unless I can find someone to give me some Flyers tickets.
March 10
Mika beat Vesa again on Friday. He had a 2-0 shutout against Cleveland
February 25
Mika played against Vesa Toskala last night and Mika won!!
February 19
4-0 Shutout for Mika yesterday against Chicago!! Good to see Mika getting some more wins lately.
It looked like he had a good time last Thursday at the AHL All Star game. Too bad that he had to play last and get the loss. Mika did good though facing the most shots of all the All Star goalies.
February 3
Mika played!! I was at the Amerks last game in Philly this season and finally Mika got to play. It was so nice to finally get to see him play a game this season. The game started out good and it looked like Mika would get a win, but they ended up with a 4-4 tie.
January 6
I went to the Rochester game in Philadelphia last night and as usual Mika did not play. They lost 3-2. I didn't think Tom Askey played all that good.
January 4
Mika was named to the PlanetUSA All Star team.
January 3
I just saw this morning that Mika was sent back to Rochester on Tuesday and he played for Rochester Wednesday night. He won 4-1 over Worcester. Hopefully he will play both games this weekend too. The newspaper here said that Mika is just down to get to play some games this weekend and that he would likely be back in Buffalo next week. I don't know. I would hope the Sabres would be giving Mika another chance in Buffalo again since Biron gave up 2 goals on 9 shots in the first period tonight against Calgary.
January 2
Mika started Monday against Carolina but was pulled after the 1st period. He gave up 2 goals on 11 shots.
December 26
Mika started again for Buffalo and won 3-1 against the Montreal Canadiens tonight.
December 25
Mika was recalled to Buffalo on December 20th and started again for the Sabres on Friday December 21st against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They tied 3-3. Mika is still in Buffalo. I'm curious to see who starts the game tomorrow against Montreal.
December 18
Mika was reassigned to Rochester.
December 16
I'm alittle late on my updates...sorry.
Good News: Mika started the game Friday against Carolina and won 3-2 in overtime!! Bad News: Mika was not selected for team Finland for this year's Olympics. Good News: Mika started again on Saturday against the New York Rangers. Bad News: Mika lost his first NHL game to NYR. Worst News: Mika was replaced by Martin Biron in the 3rd period because of a muscle strain.
December 12
Mika did not play tonight in Dallas. He practiced with the Sabres on Tuesday. The Rochester Democrat & Chronicle said he may start either the game Friday against Carolina or the game Saturday in New York against the Rangers.
From today's Democrat & Chronicle:
"He's been playing well lately and he deserved the opportunity," said Larry Carriere, assistant to Sabres general manager Darcy Regier. "We wanted to take a look at him in practice. Who knows where it leads. All options are open."
Read the article here
December 11
Mika has been recalled by Buffalo!! I don't know why he's there yet. So far it seems to be for no reason so hopefully that means Mika is going to start tomorrow against Dallas.
December 10
Mika and Vesa only got to play against each other in the Cleveland game for just over a minute. Maybe Friday they will both start the game in Rochester.
December 9
I have no Mika updates. Actually I thought I updated this after the November 16th game I went to, but I guess not. Mika didn't play that game so there's nothing to say about it. I thought I atleast complained about him not playing though. It's good to see he still is playing the majority of the games. The next game I am going to is January 5th in Philadelphia again. Hopefully Mika will play that one and then I'll be able to update some more.
October 14
This is so awesome that Mika has played the first 5 games. That's just the way it should be. I hope it continues like this for the whole season. On Friday, with Mika's win against Herhsey, he passed Martin Biron in Rochester wins.
October 7
Mika played again tonight and tied. It's great to see Mika getting back to back games already.
October 6
Mika played his first game with the Rochester Americans last night, but lost 3-0 to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Hopefully Mika will get to start again tonight against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
September 28
Mika was assigned to Rochester today after playing only one game for the Sabres during preseason.
September 16
Mika is going to camp in South Carolina along with: goalies Biron and Essensa; defensemen Campbell, McKee, Kalinin, Patrick, Smehlik, Warrener, Woolley and Zhitnik; and forwards Afinogenov, Barnes, Boulton, Brown, Connolly, Dumont, Gratton, Hamel, Kozlov, Milley, Pyatt, Ray, Satan, Taylor and Varada.
September 9
From the Buffalo News:
"As for the last line of defense, most Sabres followers have already declared Martin Biron to be the team's next No. 1 goalie, but there is a slim possibility that highly-touted Rochester goalie Mika Noronen might win a shot at the job with an outstanding performance the next few weeks.
"The way (Noronen) comes into camp, the way he plays in preseason, I think are all going to factor into a huge decision for us," Ruff said.
If Noronen somehow does wrest the job from Biron, look for Biron to be traded in short order. With Essensa acting as the wise elder from the backup spot, the Sabres are unlikely to try platooning the two younger goalies. Plus, Buffalo's system is rich in talented goaltenders."
So Mika may still have a chance to start the season in Buffalo. Training camp starts Tuesday...
August 8
The Sabres signed Tom Askey yesterday. Hopefully he won't play too often this season...only when Mika needs a night off.
And some Sabres training camp info...Sept. 11 - player physicals. Sept. 12-15 (8am each morning) - At Jack Gatecliff Arena in St. Catharines, Ont. (open to the public). Sept. 15-20 - At Charleston, SC. Sept 21 - Return to Buffalo for their first preseason game.
August 3
The Buffalo Sabres signed Bob Essensa to a one year contract to be (I assume) a back up for Martin Biron this season. This means that Mika should most likely be back in Rochester for another year of being the Amerks starting goaltender and to get more playing time than he would probably get if he was in Buffalo.
July 19
More comments from today's Buffalo News:
"'We're looking at (a veteran goalie) right now,' Regier said. 'Marty and Mika both have to play. It doesn't benefit Marty to be sitting on the bench any longer. It doesn't benefit Mika to back up Marty if he ends up being the starter.'
Regier has spoken recently about the No. 1 goalie slot being up for grabs between Biron and Noronen, but other comments by the Sabres GM strongly indicate it's Biron's job to lose."
July 18
The Democrat and Chronicle today reported that Buffalo wants to send Mika back to Rochester for another year of playing this season.
"Marty and Mika both have to play," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier said. "I think people here know Marty can be successful at the NHL level, and down the road Mika Noronen can be, too."
July 13
Today's article in the Buffalo News "Talent Show" mentions that the Sabres organization is open to the possiblity of Mika beating out Martin Biron for the starting goaltending job in Buffalo this season. It's great to see in this article that the organization is not planning on having both Mika and Martin in Buffalo this year. I would hate to see either one of them just sitting most of the games when they could both be playing like they deserve to be.
From the article:
"Goalies - Nowhere are the Sabres more vulnerable than between the pipes. Martin Biron, the 24-year-old likely starter, might make an excellent No. 1 goaltender - or season, going 7-7-1 with two shutouts in his 15 starts, following a 1999-2000 campaign in which he stepped in for an injured Hasek to post a 2.42 goals-against average in 41 games.
Biron's 68 games' worth of career NHL experience makes him the most likely choice to claim the starting role, but Regier insists that Mika Noronen - who played almost all of last season with the Rochester Americans of the AHL and has played just two career NHL games - can still wrest the job from Biron.
"We have to be very careful, because there are no givens. Certainly, Marty has more experience and seems to be positioned very well, but on the other hand Mika has had a very good start in the American (Hockey) League - better than Marty had at the same level," Regier said. "I think there needs to be competition in training camp."
No matter who starts, though, the Sabres likely will send the other guy to Rochester to get him playing time so his skills don't erode on the bench. That leaves Buffalo without a backup goalie - not a position the Sabres can just let slide. Regier is shopping, but the shelves aren't exactly stocked.
"It's a position where there appears to be a shortage," he said. "If we bring someone in (at goaltender), it will be a veteran."
Regier doesn't like to name names, but the best fit for the Sabres might be 36-year-old unrestricted free agent Bob Essensa, who put up a 2.68 goals-against average in 39 games for the Vancouver Canucks last season. Other options include New York Rangers unrestricted free agent Kirk McLean, 35, and Atlanta Thrashers goalie Damian Rhodes, 32, who might be on the block now that the Thrashers have developed some faith in young Milan Hnilicka."
July 1
The Buffalo Sabres traded Dominik Hasek to Detroit, leaving Martin Biron as the 2001-2002 season's starting goaltender and Mika as possibly his backup. If Mika is in Buffalo this season, hopefully it will not just be for him to sit on the bench. I'd rather see Mika playing.
April 17
Like I thought they should, the Buffalo Sabres recalled Mika today to join them for the Stanley Cup playoffs. The Sabres are currently up 3-1 in their series against the Flyers. Hopefully they can go far in the playoffs and Mika can enjoy spending some more time in the NHL. Even though Mika is the best, I'm sure it can only help him to spend time practicing with the Sabres and infront of the Sabres coaches.
April 16
Rochester lost in the 1st round of the Calder Cup playoffs tonight. So Mika's season with the Amerks is over. But I expect the Sabres to call him up soon to hang out in Buffalo for their Stanley Cup playoffs.
April 10
Mika and Tommy won the 2001 Harry "Hap" Holmes Award as the league�s outstanding team goaltenders. Mika ended the season 2nd in the league with a 2.18 GAA, a record of 26-15-5 including four shutouts, and a .913 save %. Tommy finished the season with a 2.55 GAA, a 15-8-4 record, and a .905 save %.
April 8
Mika was voted Amerks MVP for the 2nd consecutive season by his teammates. It's the first time in 8 years that a player has been voted MVP in consecutive years.
April 6
Mika won!! That gives him 26 wins for the season so far and moves him into a tie with Martin Biron for 4th all time for Amerk goalie wins.
April 5
Mika lost to Vesa!! But atleast they played against each other for the whole game. Unfortunately I didn't get to see the game, but hopefully it was entertaining for everyone who was there.
April 4
Rochester plays Kentucky tonight so I just have to say I'm expecting the Mika/Vesa rematch tonight. Best of luck to Mika. And if Mika wins tonight, he will tie Martin Biron for 4th on the Amerks all time win list. Mika is currently 5th with 58 wins for Rochester.
March 30
Mika was named a Second Team All Star for the 2nd year in a row.
March 22
Another shutout for Mika. His 4th of the season. He stopped all 30 shots by Portland. Nice start to the Amerks' New England road trip.
March 16
Mika got his 20 win of the season making him the first Amerks goalie since David Littman to record 20 or more wins in consecutive seasons. Last season Mika had 33 wins. David Littman won 33 games in 1990-91 and 28 in 1991-92.
March 11
Mika started his 2nd game of the weekend last night, but he didn't get to finish the game because he got a game misconduct in the 3rd period. Mika was ejected from the game because for pretending to wipe off the glass to give the goal judge a better view. Mika said: "It hit my glove and it hit the cross bar, that's why I didn't say anything before he (Rooney) made his decision. I tried to tell the referee there was still a wet mark on the cross bar but he wouldn't listen."
March 7
Everyone probably already knows that Mika did not play Sunday's game in Kentucky. I realize that Mika did not look like he was playing his best on Saturday, but as the Amerks starting goalie, I think Coach Cunneyworth could have shown a little more faith in Mika's playing ability and given him a chance to redeem himself on Sunday. Since he's the coach and I'm not, I guess I have to assume he knew what he was doing there. With a week off now, hopefully things will be back to how they should be with Mika likely playing the Friday and Sunday games this weekend, which would include playing again against Vesa on Sunday. For those of you in Rochester, enjoy the Finnish matchup. Hopefully this one will turn out better than the one I got to see in Kentucky. If anyone is going to Sunday's game, waiting after the game, and is willing to do me a favor, please email me.
March 3
Mika started again!! But unfortunately he got pulled in the 3rd period after the 4th Kentucky goal. The game started off great. Mika started against Vesa Toskala for the all Tampere game just like I wanted. But the Amerks gave up a goal less than 2 minutes into the game and never played good after that. Mika didn't look so great in this game towards the middle/end but this loss definitely was not all Mika's fault because they all played terrible.
March 2
After arguing with the ref about the call, Mika faced his first penalty shot as a pro last night in Louisville and stopped Mike Harder. That was great to see and Mika looked pretty happy with himself afterwards. Overall Mika had a great game.
February 27
No real news about Mika, but he's played all but one game since he's come back from being hurt and he's undefeated since then going 2-0-2.
February 19
Mika played tonight!! So hopefully that means he's all better now and hopefully he will stay healthy for the rest of the season cuz the Amerks are going to need him. I really liked the article from that game. I love that Coach Cunneyworth says the goal wasn't Mika's fault and Mika says it is. Mika always blames himself too much.
February 14
Not good. Mika is still sore and Tommy is expected to play tonight in Albany. Today in the Democrat & Chronicle online said that Mika's left forearm is still bothering him. So I do not know which one it is, left or right. But all that matters is that Mika is better soon and playing again. Hopefully he will be back Friday.
February 12
I don't know for sure, but it sounds like Mika is fine since he was on the bench to back up Tommy in Hamilton. Hopefully he'll play the game on Wednesday against Albany.
February 11
Mika started the Amerks game against Hershey last night but left the game just 4:54 into the 1st period. The Democrat & Chronicle reported on rochestersports.com that "Noronen was struck on the right forearm and suffered numbness in his hand moments before Brad Larsen scored the game's first goal at 4:37. Noronen didn't leave immediately, but then went to the bench after Van Oene tied the score 17 seconds later." Tom Askey will most likely play tonight against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Hopefully that means that Mika is not hurt too bad and will be back for Wednesday's game in Albany.
February 10
This is not totally about Mika, but on buffalonews.com today there is a Ryan Miller article that is interesting. Ryan Miller could have an effect on Mika's career and future with the Sabres in the future. I'm sure Mika will show everyone he is still the best.
February 9
Go Mika!! He won 2-0 against the Phantoms and got his 3rd shutout of the season. He only had to stop 18 shots but I'm sure he did awesome. Not like Mika to be getting a slashing penalty though.
February 7
Mika didn't play tonight against Hershey, but Tommy lost. Mika should play the tv game on Friday against Philadelphia, which I thought was Tommy's team.