Manchester, NH – Cody McCormick is getting back to the NHL as the Buffalo Sabres recalled him just hours before the Portland Pirates take on the Manchester Monarchs in Game 5 of the Atlantic Division playoffs.

McCormick returned to the AHL this season after spending last year with the Colorado Avalanche. In 66 games with Pirates during the regular season, he scored 17 goals, 12 assists for 29 points and amassed 168 penalty minutes.

The 27 year-old forward is getting the call for his physical play after Matt Ellis suffered an upper body injury during Game 2 of the Sabres series with the Boston Bruins.

The Pirates down 3-0 in the series will insert Jacob Lagace into the lineup to replace McCormick.