Poor little blog...

I have been ignoring you pretty much for the last year almost, I apologize. Hockey season is right around the corner though, so it will be ok. Please forgive me. I promise I will talk about all the things I can, like what players left us (bye nate gerbe I will miss you) and who came back (hey Henrik, nice to see you again), and how Paul Gaustad got married (I don't even know when it happened but sobbing anyway). So there will be a lot to write about, and I will. I will.

Welcome to Buffalo John Scott!

I am one of those people who is really big on letting a player actually play here and prove themselves before I form a valid opinion, previous play being kind of void. I know everyone has their stats and reps, but we'll see what he can do for us. John Scott is big man (I mean BIGG), and he fights. He didn't play a lot of games for the Rangers when he was there, but eh, I guess we will find out in the fall what he will actually do for the Sabres and how much he will play.

When it comes time to sign guys or not sign guys or trade or whatever the case may be, there is just not a lot to be said with the Sabres. It's always just eh signings, and then the people seem to either leave (by the way, good luck on the Islanders Brad Boyes, that kinda sucks), or they don't produce, or something pretty unfavorable happens. I am just unimpressed. I know we are not going to get Zach Parise or Rick Nash, or Bobby Ryan for that matter, but it just gets to a point where you just give up on anything even remotely good happening, and treat this like any other time of the year. You keep hoping your team will get their heads out of their asses and play like you know they can, and that is the sentiment around here...a lot.

So whatever else may happen, I will probably just stay forever eh on all situations, because I know full well there will be no reason to get up and dance and cheer about anything. Philadelphia seems to want to sign any and everyone and it's weird. Does there GM just like to take risks? (I think) or is he just crazy? (I don't know), but hey, maybe it will work for them. Goaltending needs work, but hey, this isn't about them...

Ok, that's it for now.

Oh and day 2 of "I still can't believe Paul Gaustad is never coming back to Buffalo" still in effect, and it still sucks. I bought the last jersey Dave and Adam's had of his at their huge tent sale today, and I am glad I did. I will wear it and I don't care. Got it for a good price too. -huge sigh-

-sigh-

So Paul Gaustad is just really not coming back, like never coming back to Buffalo. That hurts to think about.

I had a dream last night he was back and wearing a Sabres jersey (weird thing is he was wearing Gerbe's number, but whatever), and then this news comes along today that he re-signed with Nashville for 4 years at $13 million.

Looking past contracts, money, how good/bad of a signing people thought it was, I'm not about all that with him. He was my favorite player. Sometimes a favorite player is more to a person than a set of stats and dollar signs. Sometimes it's more about heart and dedication then it is about goals scored and points earned. I feel he did a lot for the team. He stuck up for his teammates, and he had heart, which is often times hard to find in any sport really. I liked him for quite awhile, so I feel free for you to try to call me whatever you want to think it will change my mind because it never will. I always said that even if he was ever traded, there would be a part of me that would be behind him no matter what. He gave something to the team, no matter how big or small a part it might have been. I wish him a ton of luck with his (longer) future with the Preds, and hope he gets what he wants out of being on the team. I just hope he remembers and cherishes his time spent a Sabre as much as I will.

Yeah and if you thought that was too sappy or heart felt for a sports blog you can kiss my ass. :)

I am behind on many things on this blog.

First things first:

THEY TRADED AWAY MY FAVORITE PLAYER PAUL GAUSTAD AND IT MAKES ME VERY, VERY UNHAPPY!

So yeah I've had time to accept it and everything, but it doesn't make me any less unhappy about the whole thing. It always seems like the Sabres itch to do these trades so badly, and nothing that good comes out of them. We also lost Zack Kassian and Marc-Andre Gragnani in the process, to get Alex Sulzer (who does have 1 goal), and Cody Hodgson (who I am pretty sure has none). Also, Cody Hodgson will always be a Cory to me, and he may or may not be called Cory Hodges because I can never remember his damn name. He also looks like that one kid that used to be a bully on "Glee"....haha yeah I don't know. -shrug-

So now Vancouver has our other two guys (which I thought that Kassian thing was pretty stupid, but yeah), and we are just playing for our playoff lives. It hurts my head to actually do the stats type thing, like how many games left vs. how many to win or lose, plus factoring in how other teams would have to do in the process. So to me, it's like let the chips fall where they may, and make it or not, there is work to be done, as there always seems to be. I am just hoping this off season we see Paul Gaustad come back, because I think the team needs someone like him on it. Face off man and all that is one thing, I know he doesn't score a lot, but having his type of personality in the dressing room has to help them. Someone there for so many years, in that core with Pominville, Vanek, and Miller, it has to have an effect on overall team chemistry. So here's to hoping we can get him back in the summer.

Season is winding down, and between that and wacky weather in Buffalo (yeah it's like 60-something, I dunno), I am getting an overall blah feeling. I love winter and I love Sabres, and knowing they might not be around much longer bums me out. I just don't know if I would rather they just not make the playoffs at all, because exiting early is just so much heartbreak. Last year I really did cry (yeah, for reals), and it was just really rough. Maybe I would just rather we not make it and have the summer to fix some things up, and get back out there in the fall ready for something major. It's just hard to tell at this point.

Ok, so guess that's it for now. Next game is tomorrow and I will actually be home to watch it on a Saturday, so we'll see how that goes. Game on!!

Sabres vs. Florida Panthers

Let's recap:

Sabres are doing extremely well right now, winning like nobody's business (except for the whole losing the home opener thing, but I guess we can forgive that) and things are looking pretty sweet.

Ryan Miller got one, of what I'm assuming will be many, shutouts. I love those.

Paul Gaustad made Matt Bradley's face look like he was trick-or-treating early...awesome huh?

Thomas Vanek is scoring like all kinds of crazy and it's cool and I'm not mad at him at this moment.

I still wish they were winning all these games at home instead of on the road, but who cares, wins are wins.

I see Timmy Kennedy is in the sunshine state and still looks depressed. I saw him and was like "TIMMYYY!" and realized I kind of missed him. I miss only one Tim from this team, that's for sure. He wears number 8 now instead of the unlucky 13 he did here. Good for him.

I need to update this thing more.

That is all.

Sabres vs. Flyers--Game 2

Ok, so we lost, and you know what? I'm not even really that mad. Losing is sometimes part of the game, and I am so sucked into playoff mode that it's ok to me. It's early too, and I'm being optimistic. So yeah.

Randoms:

Gaustad/Hartnell fight: awesome. Ok, I don't even care who supposedly won it, I was just glad to see Gaustad go out there and woop some ass or somethin. I don't really like Scott Hartnell anyway, so yeah. Then Kaleta and Briere were trying to get into it or something (lol Briere, what?) and then that didn't happen, but Gaustad and Hartnell went, and penalties were had.

Speaking of penalties today, I guess the Sabres were lookin to see how many players could get one, like some kind of awesome club to join! Fun! :| Gerbe, Gaustad, Pominville, Montador, Sekera, and even Miller (but that was so bogus), so yeah. Need to tame it down with those boys, come on. Don't let stupid stuff be your downfall on this.

Thomas Vanek was pretty kick ass tonight and was one goal short of a hatty. I was hoping he would get one too. It would have been nice if he would have gotten one to tie up the game and then we would have went on to win. Sounds fab, but didn't happen. Oh well.

Boys are coming back to Buffalo though! I wish I could go on Monday, but I am just glad it's back at HSBC and with our fans and all that. Hopefully a house full of super excited fans will rev the boys up a little bit more if anything and help the morale out a little bit out there. Game on!

Changes, lots of them

So our new owner is here and it is official, and it is making people CRAZY it seems. He promised us a whole lot, like a Stanley Cup, and within three years no less. Wow sir, that is a lot to live up to I will say. He seems like a genuine man though, he is a fan like the rest of us, and he cried seeing a veteran player at his own press conference. While I did laugh a little (I couldn't help it...) it was quite touching to see this was a dream come true for this man, billionaire or not. Hopefully he can do something for us, there seems to be a lot of faith in him and it is a good feeling of starting over almost. He wants to put money into this team, and he doesn't care how much either. His goal is what all of ours has been for a very long time. We want a championship so bad we can taste it. So, Terry Pegula, welcome! :)

The game last night vs. the Thrashers was a pretty good way to welcome Mr. Pegula in, we won and everyone was in high spirits. The arena was very lively, and the little ceremony before the game was nice also.

Paul Gaustad kicked some ass, and was the Lexus leader. He had a fight, a goal, and was all around awesome. I like when he is recognized and praised because he is a really hard working player and he deserves it. Everyone has ups and downs, and people want to call out certain players a lot, but it is a team effort to win folks. So, yay Gaustad, good job! :)

Jason Pominville, to me, seems like the next one in line to be captain of the team. Craig Rivet was waived, and they are putting him out there in hopes someone will take him for a little bit less money. Now, I guess I never had a positive or negative opinion of Rivet, but for some reason that we do not know, he wasn't playing at all. At that rate it would seem time to get rid of a guy if he is just taking up room in the press box, for whatever reason it might be. Maybe he will find a team to round out his career with and be happy there, we shall see. Everyone deserves to play, he should go somewhere where they will let him.

We have two more home games in hand, and hopefully the guys can keep riding this postive energy wave and win them here. After the initial happiness wears off from this and it is business as usual is when we know what we are in for. We know the boys have somewhat of a history of inconsistency, so we'll see what they can do. Game on!!

Sabres vs. NY Islanders

Hmmmm.

-Ryan Miller needs to rest, we all know this. Lalime is not a great backup, and it is pretty much a risk each and every time to put him in to play a game. Miller has played so many in a row and he is cranky and tired. This needs a solution. Hopefully when our new owner is in, he can help management fix our situation, because the people there now are obviously now sure how to fix it.

-Drew Stafford and his awesome amount of hat tricks, I love it. That was the high point of the game, regardless of the fact we didn't win. I am glad he is having a good year.

-I still think Sekera and Butler are useless as d-men, and I really hope they both go sometime soon.

-Paul Gaustad did a few things wrong this game, and I guess pointing them out is half the battle because he can do a lot and I still will not be angry with him, so yeah.

-Patrick Kaleta came back and he was stirring it up a little out there. Glad he's back, hopefully he can stay healthy for longer than like 2 games...lol.

-Our captain is still MIA and it is pretty laughable at this point, and just crazy. He will either retire it seems, or at least not be here next year. It just can't happen.

I still have faith in this team, I do. This was a crazy game, the number of goals were high and we still couldn't capitalize, but this isn't the first time. I can't just stand here and say one thing will make me not want to root for them anymore. When you are a real, true fan you stand behind your team 100% no matter what, and the people of Buffalo know that. This isn't a song that hasn't been sung before. In saying that, the new ownership knows what is in front of them. They know that we have had a lot of these guys for a long time, and things need to probably be shaken up for next season if we want to get somewhere. This man wants to win a cup, and he seems like hockey man, not just a money man. If he is all that he says he is, I'm sure he can get us going in the right direction and help us get closer to winning. Game on!!

Sabres vs. NY Islanders

Paul Gaustad went and scored like 15 seconds into today's game, probably just to signal to me to remember he is still my favorite player....haha. It was his 5th goal of the season, and I think he's been doing really well lately. Sometimes it's just certain guys on a certain line to find a groove, and things go better. Good job Gaustad!

Paul Byron was called up from Portland, as was Matt Ellis. I miss Ellis on the team, I wish they would have just kept him here. There are always things I disagree with that the management does, as I'm sure other people do. It just seems that Buffalo has an even greater ability to mess with the team, ughhh. It was good to see him back though.

Tim Connolly is injured? Did anyone notice? Did anyone care? Did it matter? The answer is NO for all of the above.

We have one more game (vs. Ottawa, lovely) on Tues, before the all-star break this weekend, and then we don't play again for a few days after that. The all-star game to me is pretty awesome. Seeing all those big players in one place is pretty sweet, even though I know a lot of people are like "eh, whatever" about it. I can't wait for everything though, it will be fun. Sidney Crosby won't be attending from what was said today on NBC during the Philly and Chicago game. That will be disappointing for a lot of people, and might even make some people not want to watch at all, I don't know. It sucks, but there will still be enough for me to tune in for. I like a lot of different teams and a lot of different players, so for me it's cool to see.

Ok, all for now, game on!

Sabres vs. San Jose Sharks

Last night's game was another one that I would have loved to be in attendance for. Very upbeat, lots of energy (and goals) from the guys, and an all around GOOD game.

Paul Gaustad scored twice, and yeah, everyone can shut up about that now. He has never been a big goal scorer as is, and then when he doesn't score, people are all over him like "he has to step it up". Excuse the fact that he is always out there giving everything, protecting his fellow teammates in fights, just doing what he can for the team. You can go talk to Jason Pominville if you want to talk to someone about scoring who isn't. Like one goal since he's been back from injury? Ack. Yeah. So good job Gaustad! :)

Cody McCormick was also kicking ass last night, the whole Grier, Gaustad, McCormick line was in general. Cody is so fiesty anyway, but last night was EXTRA fiesty for him, and I liked it, I liked it a lot.

There have been so many injuries as of late that I am concerned at the beginning of every game at what might happen with so many pieces missing. Morrisson, Stafford, Niedermayer, Connolly, and Rivet just being healthy scrated for...who knows why. It seems to be ok at the moment though, but I think it is ridiculous that Rivet is our CAPTAIN, and obviously not up to par at the moment with the team. Please Lindy, pick someone else to be captain, this is getting crazy. Pominville has had an "A" for a longgg time, and while I am "ehh" about him and what he gives, I'm sure he would be good for team moral and in the locker room until you decide what the heck is happening with Rivet. Roy? I'm not so sure about. I have been a Gaustad captain pick for awhile, and he also wears an "A" now and then, so I think he would be a good choice as well. Just do something soon huh? Cripes.

We play Pittsburgh (ohhhh) tomorrow night at home, and they are number one in the league at this time. Kinda scary? Of course it is. Sidney Crosby? Yeah. We know him, he's good...scary good as RJ might say. Let's win this one...game on!!

Sabres vs. Blackhawks in Chicago

Ok, well despite the fact we lost, AGAIN (ughh much?), this game was somewhat better than the last couple. They were trying really hard, and they got ahead for most of the game, then it just slipped away enough for them to not be able to get it back.

I still feel like sometimes Patrick Lalime is way under prepared to handle things. Maybe he will play more this year, but he did pretty well in goal tonight. Everyone knew Miller would need a night off at some point, and so there it was. It's not like we lost 8-2 or something, but it was still a loss. It'll get better Patty, don't worry, I still have faith in you.

Cody McCormick was a beast out there and I love it. He scored his first goal as a Sabre and was just generally up in everybody's business tonight. Between him and Gaustad, there was enough fiestyness for everyone.

Speaking of Mr. Gaustad, nice goal tonight man, I like it. His 53rd of his career, and his little hug celebration with Gerbe was just too cute to ignore. Too awesome to ignore was his flat out "f you!" to Brent Seabrook at the end of the game when a couple guys got into it. That was too classic and made me laugh. If I needed a reminder why he's my favorite player (I didn't though) that would be it. haha.

Drew Stafford is still out there kickin' butt and I'm glad for him. It will get complainers off his back and put the complainers back in their place, because come on, there are other top guys on this team to blame for things. I won't name names, we all know who they are....dodododo.

The effort fell short tonight a little and we had to hear "Chelsea Dagger" too many damn times, but it will get better, I have to believe that for my own sanity. We don't play again until Wednesday in Atlanta, so maybe some more practices will have the guys looking even better and we can win one maybe? Sometime soon would be good. Just one guys, for us, come on. Game on!!!

So I've been thinking...

that this will be a really, REALLY good Stanley Cup Final. The Flyers have been the so called "underdogs" the whole time, and the Blackhawks, well, they of course came primed to win it all. That's what pisses me off about how the Sabres were. I know this is reopening a can of worms all over again, but hear me out. Those dudes DID NOT look like Chicago out there. Of course the talent is way different, but aside from that. There is something about the Blackhawks. The spark, the wanting of the cup, wanting it more than any other team. The Sabres I don't think ever had that. It was like, you know what, I'm ready for vacation now. It's sad to think that they could be in this very same spot at this very same time if they just gave a crap, which they didn't. I will miss the team all summer long, and that makes me nuts probably, but it is what it is. Next year we will probably have the same team altogether, and we'll have to see what can be done with it. Mean time dudes, have fun doing whatever, golf or some junk.

I loved watching Ryan Miller last night during the intermissions on NBC. Like, do you remember how it was to face Dustin Byfuglien, like when he was in front of you in the net? He probably has vague memories seeing as the Sabres took them on like twice this year if that, and how can anyone remember? Geez. Ask some more stupid questions guys. My dad couldn't stop remarking on his ugly tie. I couldn't stop feeling happy just to see a Sabre on tv. -sigh-

I also can't get over the weird pronounciations of players names on the Blackhawks. Byfuglien looks like BYE-FUG-LEEAN and it pronounced BUFF-LIN. Ok then. Also, Toews. Looks like TOES, but is pronounced TAVES. Right, and people have trouble with Gaustad? Ummm, there is no way to pronounce it GOOS-TAD unless you failed a couple years of elementary school...there is an A. Oh boy. (This is all just for amusement if you can not tell...lol).

So until then, go Blackhawks! Patrick Kane can bring the cup on a little journey to Buffalo and maybe Darcy will cry into it and we can try to throw it at Tim Connolly. Oh, and I hope we are still thinking of maybe trying some maneuvering to get Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane to Buffalo? Probably couldn't do both, so maybe just Toews. Yeahhh, that would work quite well. A trade of a 19 for a 19? Oh you KNOW that would work out great. Just like trading 9's to New Jersey. (I like living in a hockey fantasy land if you couldn't tell). :)

Sabres vs. Bruins--Game 5

WE DID IT! Well, we won one game in the right direction, but I reserve the right to be excited! ha. It was a great game after all, and the Sabres showed that they can actually PLAY and aren't big stinky brats just skating around in circles.

Adam Mair's goal was just awesome to start it all off, and he was pumped about it. It's always good to see someone who doesn't score do it, and in the playoffs no less. Pominville's goal made me think that maybe he isn't the weakest in the top 6, but he still needs to keep up his work. He isn't on as low a level as Connolly at least.

The Gaustad pass to Grier to GOAL! was just awesome. Gaustad's "we just scored!" smile also makes the world look like it's full of sunshine and kittens and I love it a lot.

Tyler Ennis is the greatest and we are keeping him forever and ever and never letting go. His empty netter was probably only the 3rd of forever for the Sabres, and it was a very dramatic one complete with a dive. Very nice.

I still hate Chara by the way, and when you start stuff, don't think these guys will just sit back and take it. You throw Satan in there also, and you add an old Sabre thing, and it gets weird I guess. You even pissed off Miller, what have you done??!! (Maybe it's the eyebrows, yikes!) He came all the way out of the goal ready to kick ass. Lalime was even on the bench giving his two cents verbally. It pretty much consisted of Z&^^))&^%$%!! from what I could lip read. I wish I was better at lip reading, but I'm sure I can fill in the blanks quite well. Then after a little verbal abuse, and a player pileup to end the game, all the guys come out to celebrate and Patty Lalime shows off his killer dance moves again. I am always happy to see that, it's just awesome.

The place was pumped, all the people outside were pumped, and I'm just glad I get to see Sabres hockey for another game. I was getting down about it today, about how this might be the last Sabres game I see till sometime in Sept. or something, and I was just trying to stay positive that the guys could come out with a win. I want to see more of this, I want to see it for a lot longer too. The summer is just too long without it.

Now the guys head to Boston (ackk) and have to fight for their playoff lives there. I just hope that what they did today can be done again, twice actually. Come on, it's been done, you guys have it, let's do this! Game on!!

Sabres vs. Bruins--Game 3

I thought I was frustrated at the last game, but this one tops that for sure. Our one little goal by Mike Grier could have been enough if these guys cared enough to want to keep a lead, or win for that matter. I really think that heart is just not in it for these guys, the way they looked out there was just pathetic. The first period may have been more of a back and forth, but after that, it was like they all checked out mentally for this game. I thought I was watching Timbits players out there or something, guys falling all over, guys getting checked, just overall blah. It makes Boston look like they can take us over physically and the Sabres are like little frail men or something. NEWS: YOU AREN'T! You are big strong men like them! I mean, there were hits all over the place, but the ones that were big and rattled guys all the way through were thrown by Boston. That Johnny Boychuk hit on Matt Ellis was just horrible, I was afraid Ellis wouldn't get back up. It seems like there should have been some kind of penalty on it, but what can you do when a guy is looking down and not at what's coming at him? Nothing really. Tell that guy to watch himself next time. It sucks, but it's hockey 101.

Rask was just right on his game and has been. He is very calm in the net, and even with 3 or 4 guys crowding or getting in there with him, he keeps it all under control. That helps a lot in these high pressure situations when every game is on the line. Miller can have just as much, but he sometimes doesn't get the support in front of the net he needs. There were always a bunch of Boston guys in front of Rask, guarding him, and they didn't leave Buffalo any room to score. If only our guys could give Miller that, it would help out a lot. A whole, whole lot really.

Random notes:

-Even after our loss tonight, no one team (or guy) can feel worse today than Dan Boyle and the San Jose Sharks. Yikes, that was just bad. I feel awful for that guy. I didn't know it was an OT goal too, damn. He will have trouble living that one down for sure. How horrible. :(

-Stafford came back tonight, and Vanek is in some kind of walking cast from what I heard. I don't know how soon that means he will be back, but hopefully it will be soon.

-Gaustad was fiesty tonight, he wanted to get in some guy's faces, Chara included. Him and that stupid cage over his face. He needs to get rid of that thing and let Gaustad just give him one right in the face. I mean, someone did it in the first place. Besides, seeing Paul do it would be so cool. I also see Gaustad's "A" is back, which I like. I still think he should be wearing Craig Rivet's "C", but maybe that's just me...

So, the series is now 2-1 in favor of Boston. We play another game in Boston Wed., before returning to Buffalo for a game Friday. Please win the next one guys, it would be good for the series to be tied. It would be even better to win this series and be done with the Bruins for good wouldn't it? Game on!!

Sabres vs. A team way better than them (the Canadiens)

I don't even know what this was tonight. It was not a hockey game I can say that. Maybe one team was playing hockey, but the other team was doing something far from it. It was really painful to watch to be honest.

Teams have off nights, this is true. The Sabres have had two off nights in a row. Also by off, I mean WAYYY off, like I could have watched high school hockey being played and not known the difference. Ouch much boys? Well, you all deserve it.

Let's break down a few things:

-Connolly and Vanek are not there, that is well known. Butttt, just a few mere games ago this was all ok, more than ok at that point actually. We had fresh new talent from the minors up here and it was going well. Well, there are reasons those boys are still in the minors, maybe it has something to do with inconsistency. But then again, our own top 6 has problems with that, and they are full fledged NHL'ers and have been for years now. So now what do we say hmmm? Yeah, who knows.

-Tyler Myers is NOT going to be a perfect hockey player all the time, no matter what anyone wants to think, same for Ryan Miller. Now, that isn't trying to make excuses, but you can blame a few, and then you can blame the whole team, and tonight that whole team was to blame for that.

-More stupid penalties like for delay of game (this one still gets me every damn time) and slashing are just nuts, no need boys, now come onnn.

-The fact that those Canadiens stayed on the Sabres like glue didn't help. No breathing room huh boys? That's what they wanted. Everytime you turned around, stumbled, fell over yourself (or a goalie) and they were there. Got you a little irritated too hmmm? Which all boiled down to that thing at the end with Gaustad, Montador, and wayyy too many Montreal guys for Gaustad to take on by himself. I'm sure he used enough profanity tonight to make a sailor blush, and rightfully so. I think I did the same.

This all boiled down to no goals from the Sabres, and Jaroslav Halak getting his 2nd shutout in a row. Boy Buffalo, way to make them feel special.

Random notes:

-Brian Gionta is from Rochester and his hockey idol is Pat LaFontaine. He was also the shortest NHLer at 5'7" until Nathan Gerbe came in at 5'5". Why do I know this? I don't know. Last time I checked, Gionta was a NJ Devil. Last, LAST time I checked, he was a Montreal Canadien. Ok then.

-Too bad PK wasn't playing tonight so we could get a reprise on the "f'n geek" situation with Dominic Moore. Maybe that's why Moore played so well tonight, no one making fun of him and hurting his little geek feelings. Who knows.

-Toni Lydman continues his role of making me nuts, but I could add a lot more to the list tonight. He is quite high on it though.

Tuesday we take on the NY Rangers for the last regular home game of the season. I want to get tickets, but then again, DO I? I mean, the Sabres have won 5 of the 7 games I have attended this season, which is pretty good, so maybe I should be there. I would like to be I guess. We'll see what happens with that. Until then, shape up or ship out dudes, I mean it. Game on!!

Paul Gaustad is a faceoff wizard.

He also got Lexus leader because of it. He is ranked 5th overall in the NHL in faceoffs won, and he won almost all of them tonight. Man was on fire tonight, and it was quite awesome. He can also grow facial hair faster than Tim Kennedy can get that thing above his lip to grow that looks like a chocolate milk moustache. Awesome!

Derek Roy scored, as did Steve Montador, but that's where it stops. We tied it up twice, but never led, and the game just might have been a confidence thing. Getting too cocky to the point "how could we NOT beat these crappy Leafs?" ughh, yeah, didn't happen.

A lot of scrambling around, guys couldn't get their feet moving, and Miller seemed to be out of it for a bit of it. Toronto just looked really strong tonight too, they didn't let Buffalo get puck possesion for most of the game, and well, that lead to the win for them for the most part. Empty net goals do not help either. Penalties galore also do not help. Someone was in that box for most of the 2nd and 3rd periods, and they were pretty much useless ones. Ackk.

Random notes:

-Chris Butler was a healthy scratch tonight. Haha, finally someone took into account that he is awful. The +/- doesn't lie people.

-It was kind of scary to see Myers almost get into some kind of fight. We need him very much, no need to try to hurt him, please leave him alone thanks.

-What was that Carubba Collision? Two trucks or some crap? Oh geez PK, come back already. Tape up that thumb and let's roll...haha.

Ok, so we did not win this one. It was kind of crappy to watch and most of the fans I'm sure are just ehhhh about this. It is a known fact that the Sabres often have inconsistency problems. It is something that could hurt them in the playoffs because there is no "next game we will do better". Once the games are lost, it's done for good. Come on guys, a loss to a team like this just should not have happened. Maybe it was back to back games to blame, travel, being tired, who knows what Lindy, the players, etc, could come up with. Someone like Gaustad will say something like "there are no excuses" or "it's unexceptable", because he is right on both accounts it would seem. It's on to Montreal next, and they are not as crappy as Toronto was supposed to potentially be. Let's get it done hmmm? Game on!!

Sabres vs. Boston Bruins

Little (or not so little) known fact:

There IS a Tyler Kennedy in the NHL...unfortunately for the Versus announcer man, he does NOT play on the Sabres. Sorry to break it to you bro. Or it could be your overwhelming fascination with Tyler Myers which made you incapable of calling TIM Kennedy by the right first name. It's ok, Redwood does that to a lot of us in Buffalo as well, no worries. TIM Kennedy might be just a little pissed though. Or sad, because he looks like he always is. Even though he scored a goal tonight! Yay Timmy!



Coming into this game I wasn't quite sure how to feel. I always remember Boston being a team full of big, mean guys who would kill us. So when they scored first, I was a little bit scared for the rest of the night. But then things took off with the goal by Tyler Myers and Gaustad not long after, and it got a lot better. Tyler Myers had an assist as well, so he was on fire tonight again, and Paul Gaustad has three points in the last three games, so both are doing well.

Ryan Miller had 40 saves tonight, which is craziness, but nothing new for him. Along with Myers, they are usually the top topics of conversation amongst the Versus crew. Just a lot of stating the obvious, which gets boring and repetitive. "Ryan Miller is really good! Tyler Myers is really tall and really good!" You think so guys? Really? Geez.

Random things:

-Patrick Kaleta had thumb surgery today and will be out a minimum of two weeks. Boooo. That will take us right up until the playoffs pretty much. Get better soon PK!

-I don't know about Connolly and Vanek, but hey, we have a bunch of awesome newbies on our side for the time being, and it seems to be going well so far. So hopefully things will keep up until they can get better.

-Nice getting Boston that penalty shot Rivet. You do stuff like that, get into more fights then you should and aren't even really that good. Maybe someone else should be captain hmmm? Just my personal opinion...

-People need to lay off Drew Stafford. So he hasn't scored that much this year, neither has Mike Grier or Adam Mair, or Matt Ellis for that matter. We have top line guys not even scoring near where other teams top numbers are, so why pick on a guy like Stafford who is halfway down the line? I don't get it.

-That pileup on Pominville, what the heck was that about? I was freaking out, like what the heck get off him. He didn't even have the puck, geez. Boston has this thing about going after guys after they have tried to score and the puck is out of their possession. Makes no sense.

The end of the game got me just a tad bit nervous after Boston brought it up to one goal away from a tie. The last bit of the game after they pulled Rask seemed to tick by so very sloowwww and I was afraid Miller would crack under the pressure. It turned out good though, and we won on the road, with a bunch of injuries and newbies and it was great. Wed. against Florida is up next, and then Thurs. in Toronto. Let's keep winning guys, it feels nice huh? Yeah it does. Game on!!

Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators

Ok, so lots to talk about, and I mean lots.

First off, the Kaleta thing with Mike Fisher. The people saying he dived and embellished it, please. He did no such thing, and if people think he did, well I guess he did a good enough job because he got their "A" man the boot and got us 5 minutes. Sabres didn't do too much with it, but that's another story. It still gets me every time someone comes into contact with those boards, and then there is any kind of hesitation, and then blood. It would freak anyone out really. You don't know what's going on, how hurt they are, etc. It's just not good, and other players need things like that to happen to know that it won't be tolerated. Hits from behind boggle my freakin' mind, just no need for them. Luckily Kaleta wasn't hurt badly. He also got into a gnarly fight with Zack Smith, who is a 'lil bit (not body wise, but age wise somewhat...) and got what anyone would get for getting into it with PK without knowing what their outcome might be. I feel bad for the kid really, he didn't know what hit him...literally. I loved also during one little meeting of the minds that you could hear one of the linesmen say something like "get going Patrick!" or something to that effect. Haha, what a brat he is.

I again thought (as did others) that Gaustad scored tonight, second time in two nights. This time he got the assist and the goal went to Tim Kennedy. Just when I thought wearing my "the goose is loose" hat for the game was bringing good luck. Oh well, either way he got an assist, which is still awesome. Not enough points to save the game however. Jason Pominville also scored, so I guess we can't say the top line did absolutely nothing, but close to it. Lindy was not happy with what they could have done tonight but didn't. His postgame press conference was just tense because he was obviously very pissed off after the game, as were a lot of people.

Toni Lydman took a dumb penalty, Tim Connolly took one also, and it was just not the game for them. There is never a time for them, but tonight especially. Come on guys! I still don't see why Lydman gets as much ice time as he does, gah. Just pisses me off.

So we did not clench a playoff berth or whatever (the word "berth" is just weird), so maybe tomorrow? Huh guys? How 'bout that hmmm? Would you like to maybe? So your children can eat? (I'm getting overdramatic...) but yeah. Maybe we can do this tomorrow, because we know Tampa isn't QUITE as agressive, and we can beat them if we TRY to. I will miss some of the game tomorrow, so that will mean they will probably do awesome, it's just my luck...haha. It would be good for them though. I got tickets for the Florida game on Wed., probably my last of the season, so that should be good. Hopefully this was just a little bump in the road and they can move on from this and get going. Maybe? I sure hope so. Game on!!

Sabres vs. Detroit Red Wings

I didn't even really watch this game. I was out and I listened to a little bit in the car, and got home during the 3rd period, but still didn't really pay attention to a lot of it. I'm just usually doing something on Saturday nights, I prefer Sunday night games instead. Hello NHL, people have lives, thank you. I guess I didn't miss MUCH, we got one point, and Jochen was the only one doing any scoring it would seem. After that I don't know much more except that mama Miller was in the crowd to watch BOTH her sons, and the younger Miller prevails. That must be kind of hard to watch, but I'm sure she is really proud.

Random notes:

-I heard something about Ryan Miller getting very mad over something. Temper tantrum maybe? Awww, why do I have to miss the good stuff?

-Paul Gaustad is a bum. My new favorite Sabre is Jochen Hecht. At least he wouldn't let me down by getting into a useless fight and injuring something the night before I have four games lined up, only to be all better the night AFTER the last game I attend. He is a BIG BIG BUM.

-I was reading a little bit about Robi in the Buffalo news. I hope he continues to get better and comes back soon, I miss him. :(

-Wegmans puts The Hockey News in the front of the store with the newspapers instead of in the back with the magazines. I get it, it's labeled NEWS, but come on. You're just confusing me.

No game again until Tuesday in Atlanta, and Clarke MacArthur will be there! Wow, that will be weird. He should punch Paul Gaustad in the nose...just cause. Game on!!

Sabres vs. Minnesota Wild

This was the last game in the round of tickets I bought for now, and it went out pretty disappointing.

On top of chance after chance for the Sabres, it was just sloppy out there, and Lalime just wasn't in the right element for most of the game, and the crowd started ragging on him pretty much. Maybe it was because we didn't want to lose this one because we just started winning again. Maybe it's because a lot of people really want to put faith in Lalime, but he just doesn't deliver. He will stay at 199 career games won for...who knows how long.

But a lot of guys tonight had chances to score and help things along, and it just didn't pan out. Pominville had a ton of chances, and Hecht has a chance also along with Grier. Thomas Vanek scored the only Buffalo goals, two of them even, which is pretty impressive with the way the top line has been producing lately. Some of them are starting to finally score, but it isn't winning games and as I have heard a million times "they aren't playing 60 minutes".

I kind of wish I could take the tickets I bought for this game and trade them with a game to come...haha. I guess a lot of people feel that way, because the game was pretty much get all excited, nothing happens, get all excited, nothing happens again, repeat. Steve Montador fought someone along the way, but even that was lackluster, he got the name ripped right off the back of his jersey...geez.

So all in all, I wish I could go back in time and get this night back. Sad but true. Miller will play tomorrow in Detroit, starting the road trip, and the team won't be back home until the 24th to take on Montreal. We shall see how this road trip goes. We are still number one in the northeast with Ottawa not playing tonight, but if things keep going like this, who knows for how much longer.

Oh and I bet Gaustad will be back tomorrow, mark my words. I have horrible luck when it comes to this stuff. But, at least I got his signed hat tonight from the St. Patrick's day hat surprise at the arena!



So, at least that was a cool thing tonight. My dad got a Kaleta one like he wanted too, so that was cool.

Game on!!

Oh, and edited to add this:



Drew Stafford, Hotroit sounds like some kind of disease, or at least some ailment I do not want...lol.