Happy Drew Year!

So, to start it off, the Sabres played the Boston Bruins New Year's Day. The winter classic is usually an afternoon thing, but was moved up to 8pm due to crappy (translate: not cold or snowy enough) conditions, so the games overlapped. I was kinda eh about the winter classic anyway, I mean I wanted to see Jordan Staal come back and all that, but it was pretty much just like any other game. Buttt, to start with, the Sabres were crazy guys vs. Boston.

The game was so neck and neck the whole time, it was kind of frustrating to be honest. We would score, and you could still be wooing! over it, and they would tie it back up and then we would have to start all over again. The high ending score was crazy, and Drew Stafford got his 2nd hat trick of the year! It was awesome, I am so happy he is doing so well this year. Happy Drew Year was a nice and fitting term for the game for sure. We still ended up having to go to a shootout, but it turned out good, because Stafford scored (again), as did Vanek and Ennis. I have a pretty strong dislike for Boston, so it was nice to actually win this one full out and get the two points. I hope the Sabres can keep up some kind of streak, because it has been a long time, and winning is fun. Come on guys, you like it don't you? Of course you do.

The winter classic was a rainy one, and it looked pretty sloppy out there for the teams, but Washington ended up winning 3-1. It really wasn't a battle of Ovie vs. Crosby because neither of them scored from what I saw, I know Crosby didn't. Oh well, the NHL and NBC had to find a way to sell hockey to a large number of football loving Americans. They don't need to remind me to tune in...haha. Jordan Staal came back and played for the first time this year to the delight of many people, and he did really well. I bet he was happy to be back for this game too after being out so long, and because of how unique the winter classic is.

On a different note, I watched the Blackhawks take on the Anaheim Ducks tonight, and Toni Lydman still does drive me nuts! Wow! haha. Just hearing his name I am reminded of him playing for us and all that went with it. It was different to hear the name just for some other team now. He was doing pretty ok with them the last time I heard, so yeah, maybe the west coast is good for him. I know the Ducks beat my Hawks, and cappy Toews is still out, so tonight's game was kind of a bummer, but eh, it's ok. The Hawks were having a mother's trip to Cali, and it was cute to see all the moms and Toews was on tv with his mom being interviewed as he wasn't playing, and it was completely pretty adorable. She gushes, he kind of blushes and plays it off, and she has a cute French accent and it was just awesome. :)

Yesterday also marked the one year anniversary for my little blog here. I can't believe it has been that long already, wow. I haven't been updating as much as I did last season, but I will try to be better with that in 2011. :)

Ok I feel like I am rambling now...haha. But yeah, that is pretty much it for now. The Sabres play again on Tuesday and they are on the road for a bit. West coast teams are always a bit of a test because the West is really tough, so I hope they can come back with a few wins under their belt, for many reasons, if not just the confidence. We also just need more wins in general, as we all know.

Until next time...

July 1st is kind of scary to me.

People are talking it's like the Christmas of the NHL, but to me, it's scary. I mean, you get used to a set of guys making up your team, and then it is broken up and new people are added and it's weird.

Toni Lydman is off to Anaheim (I'm not sad, sorry) and Hank the tank is going to New Jersey (but he gets to play with Parise and Brodeur on his team, come on, that is awesome) so we say goodbye to some. We got a man by the name of Jordan Leopold, and I don't know much about him. I read he has been prone to concussions (hmmm) and really doesn't have any big, good stats to talk about. So we shall see. It's 3 years, so I just hope he doesn't end up the Raffi Torres of defense, because that will suck for 3 whole years. Oh well, time will tell.

Nothing really big happening with the Sabres camp though. I mean signing that one dude is just, eh. I want big action, but I have to realize I am a fan of the wrong team if I'm looking for that type of thing. I just can't believe that like 5 Blackhawks are gone, and I think 3 of them went to Atlanta or something like that, with Kris Versteeg going to Toronto and Adam Burish off to Dallas. That team was all shook up, geez. Their cap was crazy tight though, and with Kane and Toews needing to be under lock for a long time, there was just NO wiggle room for them. Sucks, but at least those guys got the cup and the love from the city before they left. Atlanta is going to have a brand new team come October, that's for sure.

The rumor mill goes crazy out of control during times like these though. I've heard that they are in talks with Torres to sign him for like 3 more years or something (hope this is FALSE) and that Lalime isn't going anywhere and that the Flyers want Kaleta. I also heard the Flyers wanted Tallinder and Lydman before they went to those other teams though, so it's all so crazy. No use in getting all nutty about it until it's finalized, so we'll have to see what else happens for the Sabres. Hopefully something good....maybe? Eh.

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!!

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!!

Are you Jochen? Nope!

Haha lame.

But, Jochen Hecht did amazing tonight, two goals, and I wanted a hat trick for him so very badly. That would have been very nice. A Toni Lydman goal tonight too? Wow, what did we do to deserve this?? ha.

A goal from Tim Connolly and Tim Kennedy to make it 5-3, and it was a pretty damn awesome game. Road trips are often scary experiences that when they are done, they are not talked about again. It's more of a "let's forget that happened shall we?" but not this time. The south also seems to love us, and a ton of Buffalo fans were in attendance the last three games in a row.

The top line seems to have their heads screwed back on right, and Miller is pretty right on and things are going well. Now is not the time to let this go guys, don't let it go to your heads thinking you will never lose again, because at some point you will. Three home games in a row coming up, I don't think the hometown fans want to see you come home and stink up the place, so do it for us will ya? That would be greaaaat.

Random notes:

-Me and my father do not share the same opinion on Tim Kennedy. I don't think he is all that great, my dad thinks he is. On top of the fact that he always looks sad, he makes me sad with the way he plays a lot of the time. Now, I'm sure he just needs more time to develop into some kind of a player, but for right now it's just ehhhh. We'll see with that one.

-Drew Stafford stopped a puck with his foot. This is never a good thing. Even if that's what they want to do, like taking one for the team, what? No. I would never do that. I would be getting my arse OUT OF THE WAY. I would SAY I was trying to get out of the way too, owowowowow. Hockey players are really all about whatever it takes to help the team and stop a goal, my goodness. By the way, stay away from anything grape flavored man, eww.

Back in Buffalo Wednesday night to take on Montreal. Fun fact: This will be Paul Gaustad's first home game played since Feb. 13th. GO FIGURE. (I'm not letting this go) Game on!!

Hockey day!

So today was chock full o' hockey and it twas grand. The Winter Classic game seems to be the big one everyone wants to see, regardless if you are a hockey fan or not. Of course having that one back in Buffalo two years ago was pretty damn awesome, every year seems to have it's own set of reasons to tune in.

For one, I have a fiancé that was born and raised in Philadelphia and, well, he has a fiancé that was born and raised in Buffalo. Yeah, that brings its own set of...things later, but Buffalo was not in this said Winter Classic. I didn't really have a team I wanted to side with one way or the other. I was kind of hoping for a Philly victory for standings reasons only, but it did not turn out that way. Said fiancée was glued to tv for the whole thing, and was happy to see Bobby Clarke as well. Now I know why that signed puck is in a glass case up there on his shelf...haha.

Let me mention one thing off the bat here, my utter disgust for Daniel Carcillo. I think he is a trouble maker, and it doesn't always seem, for the right reasons. Starting a fight just to make yourself look like a tough guy does not help your team. I remember the game in Buffalo when he wouldn't even take his seat in the penalty box, just continued to shoot off his mouth at the officials. But hey now, this is my opinion. He may be some kind of awesome player, that I am not sure of, but I know his actions in other areas of the game are not desirable to me as a hockey viewer.

It seems to me that the "elements" always seem to make the players at the winter classic just...off. Like you know they could do a lot better indoors. I'm sure if it were an indoor game the score would have been very different. But, in the end, Boston gets the win, Ronald McDonald gets a car, and all is well in the city of Boston for the day. Woo+hoo.

So on to the bigger stuff here people, Sabres vs. Thrashers here on home ice. Break down as follows:

1st period: Ummm, I think I may be asleep. All these Atlanta goals are blurring, please help, the Sabres must have had too much to drink last night, what in the love of Stu Barnes is happening here? Wake me up when something happens please. Oh wait, someone scored with 2 mins. left in the period? Oh Jochen Hecht thank you for that, it twas lovely.

2nd period: Ok, so we might actually be able to do this, not like we never have before.

*somewhere between 2nd and 3rd more goals are scored, another by Hecht and one by Connolly. Thank you both again for showing up tonight.

3rd period:I dunno, I think I might have been going nutty by this point.

OT: With 59 secs. left, Derek Roy wins it for us with no shootout needed (dammit, I like those, does that make me nuts? maybe) and all in Buffalo rejoice, as do Cellino, Barnes, and all the diabetic children who get another thousand dollars. Hallelujah!

Now, some notes from me.

I can not get over Toni Lydman and his need to get penalties so close to the end of the game/end of the period/when we are tied or down by one/whenever there is something important going on and you feel like marching your ass downtown to kick him in the groin. PLEASE STOP THIS INSANITY LYDMAN, IT IS BECOMING A TREND AND IS UNCOOL. I WOULD HAVE EXPRESSED MY THOUGHTS TO YOU ABOUT THIS WHEN I SAW YOU IN WEGMANS ALL THOSE MONTHS AGO, BUT YOU WERE WITH YOUR CHILD (buying her a balloon...awww) BUT I FIGURED: HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE. So yeah, knock that stuff off please, you make me nuts.

Gaustad looked like he had to pick up a lot of slack tonight for some of the other dudes who had one too many last night. Not cool at all for him. I mean geez, redwood (that equals Myers for me) could have done that, he isn't even old enough to drink yet, gosh. But those are two different things completely. Once again Gaustad was kicking ass in the faceoff dept., where he belongs forever.

Hecht pretty much saved our asses, because I was pretty sure Miller would be pulled after that 3rd goal was scored like the other night, but he wasn't. I really think Lalime should have been in tonight, but eh, I guess it all turned out ok in the end, but man Miller, your starts have been awful. But all of Buffalo loves you, so I guess I can't stay mad.

Drew Stafford didn't show up to tonight's game. Oh well.

Ok, so for one more night, all is well on the Sabres front. No one has to go home and cry (except for the people who wanted to see Kaleta tonight, come on brother, get back out there yo!) and we are 2 more points in the right direction. Game on!!