Try to Remember the kind of September

by Anne

It's SEPTEMBER! Which means it's almost training camp, which means it's almost pre-season, which means it's almost fantasy draft time, which means it's almost the regular season! Woooo!! The August blahs are over, Ilya Kovalchuk might actually have a contract, Tim Kennedy is a Ranger, Grizzball is a Maple Leaf, Paul Bissonnette is back on Twitter, and Shaone Morrisonn has officially been nick named Shaonayaye.

Life is good.

In and Out

by Anne

The Sabres shipped Paetsch to Columbus for Torres and Grizz to Atlanta. There are picks involved but who the eff cares about picks unless it's the Toronto/ Boston Kessel trade. I'm not losing sleep over a 2nd round pick, no one should. We don't know who those picks will turn into or if we will even keep those picks.

The Kings shipped out Teddy Purcell (WOO!) and brought in Jeff Halpern and Fredrik Modin(errr...) well, regardless, Halpern will definitely improve the bottom six for the Kings and Modin can sit in the press box chair Teddy had previously been keeping warm.

For Sabres fans, here's everything you will need to know about Raffi Torres:

I figured out why embedding won't work and fixed it. Sweet.

For the record, this was the first video I watched featuring Greener and it cracked me up, thus leading to my deep running love for that maniac.

I didn't watch the subsequent Washington game because I was in class but I can see I missed out on quite a defensive outpouring being outshot almost 2-1.

In other news, Torres skated today with Pommer and Royzie and will wear #17. The "Should" line skated together today as well. If Torres wants to win over Buffalonians (which we might not, who cares really, he's likely a rental) he will do well to score tomorrow night against the Flyers.

Hero of the Game

by Anne

All Sabres fans are well aware that Ryan Miller is the hero of the Sabres roster. I don't need to go into anymore "night after night" platitudes and blah blah blah because we all know what he does.

However, on those nights when the Sabres find themselves down a goal or two heading into the third, who do they rely on to get them those clutch goals?

Uhhhh? Vanek? Not at this pace. Connolly? Maybe. Royzie? He's too busy losing clutch faceoffs. MacArthur or Stafford? Occasionally. Pominville? Not this season.

When you can go through your top 6 and confidently say that none of them are heroic, reliable goal scorers at this point in the game, you have a problem.

Last night at the Arena while I was changing to go home, the score was still 3-2. I found myself standing in the lockerroom thinking this sentence: "Ok _____ time for some magic." And it occurred to me that I have no idea who could fill in that blank.

Last season, Vanek offered heroics, and we've been able to rely on him a lot in the last few years to do that. This season has been slow going and no one else has stepped up to offer that boost, that feeling of "Don't worry, get him the puck and things will happen."

All of the boys in the top 6 can score goals, and they all have been (some later than others, ROYZIE). But none of them are are go-to goal scorer. That keeps the other team's defense guessing, they can never be 100% sure who's going to be that player with the quick trigger. Crosby, Ovechkin, Malkin, Kopitar, Nash, Iginla, Zetterberg, Kovalchuk, all over the NHL there are teams with that one player or more than one sometimes. You keep that guy covered at all times. The balanced attack makes for a confused opponent, but it also leaves us without the game-saving goal scorer.

Miller can stop the pucks from going in (most of the time) but he can't score the goals for them. Someone needs to kick it up a notch or 10. Not just someone, but a lot of someones.

12-5-1 is still a good record through 17 games, let's not kid ourselves. This team isn't completely perfect. It's got a lot of really solid elements, but now that they've gone through their feeling things out phase, it'll be nice to see them kick it into that next gear they should be able to kick it into.

They need to push harder and drive harder and score more. Who's going to do it?

This feels a lot better

by Anne

Wheee!

Between Friday and Tuesday the Pens, Canucks, Kings and Sabres played eight games. In those games those four teams went a combined 0-8-0. WHAT? That's terrible. I was not too happy. Eight straight games of FAIL.

Tonight, my two favorite teams (Canucks, you'd better get your act together to try to reclaim this title from the Kings) played two splendid games.

Clearly, I saw the Sabres game, but I did not see the Kings game because they are in the midst of an East coast trip and their game was also at 7:00.

First my beloved Sabres won somewhat of a snoozer against Edmonton at HSBC Arena tonight.

Steve Montador scored his first as a Sabre and the line of Stafford - Connolly - Vanek, known (by me only) as the Should line (because it SHOULD work) contributed the first goal from Staffy and then provided some stifling offensive zone pressure to set up the Full Monty's goal. Yoyo added the empty netter to seal the 3-1 win.

The Sabres powerful is godawful terrible. Good LORD. They were 0 for 7 against the Bruins the other night and tonight they went 0 for 4. Maybe practice the power play in practice lots and lots? Thanks.

Clarke MacArthur accidentally pulverized Liam Reddox into the boards with only a few minutes left in the third period which drew a five minute major for boarding and a game misconduct. I didn't see the hit but me may be suspended. Dang. Although maybe Mairsy will play? Grier had a strained groin and if he misses time, Mair will definitely be back. Maybe Paetsch will be in at forward? I hope Grizz doesn't get suspended. I think it's clear that he had no intention of hitting him hard from behind; Maybe taking the body to knock him off the puck, but he seems to lose his footing at the last second.

Still scary, regardless of intent.

That five minute penalty was interesting. For the first two minutes of it, the crowd was holding its collective breath, as if we were willing the puck to stay out of the net. Then as the PKers started to really control the situation, a loud "Let's go Buff-a-lo!" chant energized the Arena and the penalty was killed and met by a standing ovation from the crowd.

Hey Should line.

Good job

Cookies for you.

Well, maybe not you, Tommy. You took lotsa penalties.

Next game IGGY COMES TO BUFFALO!

:) :) :)

Also on tap, and experienced by me via boxscore checks and LAKings.com highlights, was the Kings 5-2 win over the flailing Carolina Hurricanes. Tonight's loss brings the Butter Snaps losing streak to 13 games. I believe they are 0-10-3 in their last 13. Yeesh.

Erik Ersberg made his second start of the season and got his first win.  Anze Kopi-star had two assists upping his league-leading points total to 30 (14+16). Oh snap.

Randy Jones, the Kings 7th defenseman recently acquired from Philly, played in his first game as a King and recorded the game winning goal and an assist. Woo!

This line is also foxy.

This line contributed six points tonight (2+4)

Well done, boys.

I love you.

Lots.

Both teams are off tomorrow and then both teams play Friday. Then, of course, both teams play Saturday. Yeesh, schedulers!

We won! Hooray...zzzzzz...

by Anne

Guys I totally loved tonight's game (Well except for most of the 2nd and Miller flopping around like he was hurt) but I'm so blinking tired I can't even type in complete sentences.

Things to love:

• Tyler Myers first NHL goal on a seemingly harmless backhanded chipshot
• Grizz scoring on a penalty shot with some nice hands
• Goose beating the living snot out of Jackman for breathing in Miller's general direction (ok it was more than that)
• Pommer and Yoyo getting their first of the season
• Pommer getting the 100th goal of his career, the same night Myers gets his first
  
• Pie's nice move to the net that set up Patty's goal
• Chasing a goalie. That's one of my favorite things in hockey

Things to not love:

• Miller's brain fart on Tavares' goal
• Derek Roy in general
• The majority of the second period
• Miller getting shaken up a bit in the 3rd

Other pithy thoughts about the evening include that Lalime should start tomorrow night. I know Lindy likes to use Miller as often as possible but Lalime's got to get into some games soon. If he's going to start 15-20 games, that's an average of starting roughly every 4th or 5th game. Miller needs some rest. He's been playing really well but the season is too young to push him too far.

I'm so glad that they've really started lighting the lamp these last few games. Scoring four goals in three games was not exactly inspiring or exciting.

I can't get over the quote from the recap about the Sabres having the stingiest defense. They said similar things early last season, so let's not get ahead of ourselves. Of course last season there was no JBG:

Hoooooooooray!

His teammates are so happy for him
They've never hugged a teammate quite so tall

A great photo that captures a rare moment. That brief second between when the puck crosses the goal line, before the light comes on, before referee, player or crowd has realized the player has scored:

Scooooooooorrrrrrre!

Since the Stars lost tonight, once again the Sabres are the last team standing in the "Teams with no regulation losses ONLY" VIP area of the club.

Tomorrow the quest continues at home against Atlanta! There's totally no way they can keep this up, right?

What Happened?

by Anne

Tech week and then opening a show and teaching classes leaves little time for hockey and/or blogging.

Good thing that almost nothing has happened in the past week.

Mad Max has still not found a home. He's apparently been offered a contract with at least one KHL team, but wants to stay in the NHL. I'm sure there's a team somewhere that's willing to take him... Tampa?!

What's the latest with Little Foot? Stop making me wonder about you, former favorite. Its these antics that make you a former favorite, Drewster.

I'm glad Grizz didn't go to arbitration and only got a one-year deal out of this. Reggie getting two is fine with me.

I'm even bored with my post about the Sabres off-season. NOTHING IS HAPPENING.

Anyway, if you live in Buffalo and want to see a play about murder with lots of sword fighting and some men in slightly revealing clothing, head on over to Delaware Park to see Shakespeare in Delaware Park's production of Julius Caesar. Its pretty sweet. I enjoy working on it.

Arbitration Station

by Anne

Twenty NHL players have elected to take their teams to salary arbitration this season. Basically, this is usually because the team and agent/player are quite far apart on a new deal. Usually the RFA wants more $$ or years than the team feels they deserve and because they are a Restricted Free Agent, the negotiating tactics are a bit difficult. Therefore, as with many disputes, an independent arbitrator will decide what the player should be paid.

I notice some people get annoyed at players for this, however, this action is completely within their rights, that's why it was built into the CBA. Some players, I'm sure, are being selfish (what! professional athletes witha sense of sef-entitlement?! NEVER! UnHEARD of!) but we have to remember that the players are allowed to use all the resources available to them.

Also, I bet, of the twenty, maybe five of them will actually take it to arbitration. Like many things taken to an independent court, many settle before you ever reach the bench.

Hopefully Clarke MacArthur, the only Sabre to elect for arbitration, and Darcy can crack open a few brews and work out a deal before having to go to arbitration

Quick! Distract him with boobs and switch the puck for a [reasonable] contract!

That Stunk

by Anne

I didn't watch the end of the game because I was exiting the Arena. I had a Christmas party to get to.

If the Sabres weren't going to help me get into the holiday spirit by winning, then my girlfriends and I were going to have to do it. Sitting around talking about stupid things ranging from boys (duh) to theatrical gore make-up (truth) is a pretty great way to spend and evening, if you ask me.

Oh btw, Sidney Crosby smiled at me tonight. Like, not as in he looked up in my general direction during the game, like, as in I walked by him as I came into the Arena tonight. As S(h)ara said, I think that means we're getting married. The NHL would have you believe his manliness is extra potent so I might already be pregnant with his lovechild. Whoops. Unfortunately it might've been my sparkling blue eyes and windburned rosy cheeks that gave him the extra spring in his step to score in OT. Errrrr, sorry guys! If he's an ass man then it was definitely my fault. My bad, hahaha. I'm very disappointed to report that he was just walking around being all normal. I was really hoping for some kind of wacky dance and chanting. These are the kind of encounters you have if you show up late for work.

Kudos to the random person who discovered my "error" in our all-star ballot. Antoine Vermette is not a defenseman. However, the Eastern defenseman pool was thin so we threw him in there, hoping no one would notice, hahahaha.

Pie was rightly credited with the first goal of the game and that made me happy. He's really got to pick up the pace, if you ask me. I've been a little disappointed with his goal production. It looks like he's turning into more of a Gaustad than a Stafford. That's ok, but I was hoping for another 19-20 goal season out of him. Granted, he could heat up in the 2nd half of the season as he did last year.

MacArthur seems to have found his touch again. He started the season strong (for a while he was our #2 goal scorer) and then cooled off. He gotten 3 goals in the last 3 games and 6 points in the last 4. Woo!

If anyone wants to pick up this book for me for Christmas, ya know, that'd be sweet. I saw it today when I was at Barnes and Noble and had to force myself not to buy it. It was a touch and go for a minute, but I walked away because that's what you should do around Christmas.

This would look so nice on my bookshelf.

My Christmas shopping is completed and my friend Tina got me some awesome Sabres related things for our Secret Santa because she's awesome like that.

I can't wait for Christmas!!!!

Buffalonians Are Batshit Crazy

by Anne

Even though there were like 97 feet of snow on the ground with 200 foot snowdrifts at 127 mph winds there were really not that many empty seats as fans trickled in during the first period.

I actually did better in sales than I did at the last game so I can't really complain.

Driving in was MADNESS. I left at 4:30 and got there at 5:30 which was half an hour earlier than I needed to be there but still, normally it takes 20 minutes to get from Kenmore to the Arena. Truth be told, the only place I really got stuck was the Sportservice parking lot.

57 people called in "sick" tonight. I happened to see my manager Bill just before he heard that (at that moment) 57 people called in. There might have been more after that. Yikes. There were lots of stands that were not open because the concessions people were not there. Also, a lot of the ushers in the 300s were people I'd never seen before.

That game was pretty wicked sweet.

There were TONS of people in Guelph Storm jerseys and it took me a little while to figure out why until I saw that one of them said "Doughty" on the back. Uhhh sorry the game was so one-sided.

WERE YOU ALL AS EXCITED AS I WAS THAT MATT GREENE AND I WERE BREATHING THE SAME AIR?

I accidentally let out a little "yeah!" when Greener bowled over Ales Kotalik and then knocked Patty into next week into the boards. Then I felt a little bad about it. Oh yeah, and remember that power play we scored on? Yyyeeeahhh that was the one where Greener was called for interference... oops.

Nice to see both Butler and Ellis get points in their first game since being called up. I loved the supreme effort Adam Mair used to put the puck in the next for his goal. Butler had a great effort to keep the puck in the zone and a nice pass to Mairsy who was literally in the crease. His shot was like "Get. in. the. NET!" and it did. I was more than a little sad that they declared Royzie's "goal" was unassisted and took away Toni and Millsy's assists. Lol.

It was nice to see Grizz had some hustle and scored a goal. I can't believe Royzie was 19 assists btw, when did that happen? Well done, sir.

Forty saves is a pretty darn good night, Mr. Miller. You rock.

This man is about to regret getting out of bed this morning...


Ok, let me get this straight.
I stand here next to this big dude with the funny legs and I hold this stick thing.
When that black thing is near me, I try to put it in that little netting covered thingy.


Ah, Christopher, welcome to the funny face club.

ETA: I forgot like 12 things.

1. I sawJason LaBarbera tossing a football around before the game. Yo. He is wicked tall. It says he's 6'3" but he seems even taller

2. MK was in attendance at the game. This makes her 1-567-0 while actually in attendance at games. She was pretty excited that they won.

3. I'm nervous about Kaleta :/ Dennis Gauthier (who has a neck thicker than most people's thighs, btw) is a jerk. At first when I saw Gauthier hitting Kaleta I thought Patty was just being passive in not fighting as he has in the past until I saw the replay. :(

Okay maybe it was only 3 things.

Christmas Already?

by Anne

This afternoon I went shopping with my sister as she started on her Christmas gifts. She's making fleece blankets for people. Not for me, but if she is, why would she buy the fabric with me there?

Anyway, it made my head hurt to think about the fact that, yes, indeed, I should be thinking about Christmas presents.

If I don't get a 3rd jersey for Christmas... *shakes fist at friends and family*

Sabres Not Slugs is reporting that Larry Quinn has stated that the death of the slug may come as soon as the 40th Anniversary season, 2010-2011. We can dream, can't we? There was mention of the switch hinging on how well the 3rd jerseys sell. Considering the third jerseys were the #2 seller on NHL.com last month, things are looking up to bring the slug down.

The Sabres are promoting Teppo For All -Star like there's no tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow, that's when voting starts. Vote often and VOTE TEPPO!!!!

Face-off advice from Paul Gaustad via Clarke MacArthur:

“There is more to it than dropping the puck and swinging your stick at it."

Really, cuz that's what most of them look like to me, hahaha.

Trying to teach a 10 year old girl how to shuffle a deck of cards is difficult. She refuses to acknowledge that part of the problem might be that her hands are a little to small to shuffle them the same way I do, being 23 and a grown up and all. Although she did just tell me I know everything, so, the kid's judgment isn't too far off, haha.

Danny Briere scored today in a Flyers victory, just his 2nd game after returning from a torn abdominal muscle.... and left the game due to injury. Sigh. Oh, Danny.

Pens at Red Wings tonight, should be interesting. My money's on Detroit.

Finally a game tomorrow!

Food For Thought

by Anne

Thomas Vanek is on pace for 70 goals, Clarke MacArthur - 35 goals, Ales Kotalik for 29.

Miller is on pace to go 41-12-12 , Lalime is on pace to go 6-6-6, combined, that would give us 112 points. Hahahahaha. I really don't think that's going to happen, but let's just try to think about that while we get the taste of an awful Buffalo sports weekend out of our mouths.

THANKS A LOT

by Anne

I WAS HAVING A TERRIBLE DAY BEFORE I GOT TO THE ARENA AND THEN SALES WERE BAD AND THEN THE SABRES LOST TO THE MOTHER EFFING TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. (although congratulations to Steven Stamkos on his first and second NHL goals) OK,THAT'S ENOUGH OF THAT BEING NICE AND FINDING SILVER LINING MALARKEY.

A WIN WOULD'VE BEEN MUCH APPRECIATED.

I WAS SO DESPERATE FOR A LITTLE LOVE THAT WHEN MY "HEY THERE, YOU ATTRACTIVE MAN" RADAR WENT OFF WHILE WALKING OUT THE SECURITY DOORS AFTER THE GAME, I WAS REALLY EXCITED. THEN I SAW THAT IT WAS TIM CONNOLLY AND I IMMEDIATELY WANTED TO BATHE. THANKS A LOT, SABRES, THANKS A LOT.

THE ONLY SABRE WHO IS NOT DEAD TO ME IS CLARKE MACARTHUR BECAUSE MY SISTER IS QUITE FOND OF HIM AND HENRIK TALLINDER WHO RANDOMLY HARRY HOUDINI'D INTO THE GAME MERE HOURS AFTER IT WAS DECLARED HE WOULD NOT PLAY.

THANK THE LORD MY 9:00 CLASS IS CANCELLED TOMORROW SO I CAN SLEEP IN.

I'M GOING TO EAT SOME BREAKAWAY BERRIER AND SNUGGLE WITH MY CAT.

BLAH.

No Go for Yo Yo

by Anne

:*(

According to Mike Harrington at Sabres Edge Yoyo's hurt and won't play tomorrow. CMac is centering the line with Paille and Pommer. Iiiiiiiii was not aware that Grizz ever played center.

Matt Ellis will center the 4th line and if any of our other centers go down, be prepared for Nathan Gerbe to appear from Portland after, uhhhh like 2 weeks of seasoning. *HEADDESK*.

IT IS WAAAAAYYYYYY TO EARLY IN THE SEASON FOR THIS TYPE OF INJURY CHIT CHAT.

Whyyyyy does it have to always be centers? TimmyHo, Goose, Yoyo???

Center is where we're thinnest up front and that's where we're feeling the most hurt. Perfection.

ITS FINE. REALLY, ITS FINE. I'M NOT WORRIED. NOT AT ALL. NOPE. TOTALLY FINE WITH THIS.

PAUL!
STOP PROMOTING UNDERAGE SMOKING AND GET BACK TO WORK!



Timmy, Timmy, Timmy.....
I hate you. You're still dead to me.
Your fractured vertebrae is immaterial because you have ceased to exist to me
Remember when I loved this phantom "Tim Connolly"? Yeah that's over

At least Trent practiced yesterday!!! That's one ray of sunshine on the Buffalo injury front!!!

Photo not actually from yesterday's practice but
WOOOOOOO!!! Anyway
The football gods were at least smiling on Buffalo and inserted this injury just before a bye week
Hopefully Trent will be ready to go on Sunday.
Lord knows we don't want him to aggravate anything if he isn't fully recovered

A Seriously Perplexing Issue at Hand

by Anne

Hello, my name is Anne and I like lists.

We are a family of list makers, my mom, my aunt, my sister and myself. We like things in lists. To-do, grocery, naming all NFL teams whilst bored in meetings, listing all 50 states, etc.

So, it is HIGHLY perplexing to me that my #5 spot of favorite Sabre must remain vacant for so long (meaning 2 weeks).

Here's a refresher:

1. Pommer
2. Pie/Sissy
3. Yo-yo
4. Goose
5. Blankety Blank (f0rmerly Big Bear)

S(h)ara and I discussed the potential successors to this position in great detail tonight.

There was a brief attempt to point out that there are already 5 players on that list and 2 are tied for 2nd. However, I am completely unable to commit to Paille or Spacek as my #2, so the two remain tied, its like if the King had twin sons and no one recorded which one was technically born first, so who is the heir apparent? It is a title unable to be determined by we mere mortals.

Jason Pominville's tushy is currently seated in the throne of my SabreHeart, but his hold is tenuous. My love is like a tornado, it changes suddenly and without warning; it can be catastrophic. I can all but guarantee that he will not fall out of my top 5, but if he does, LOOK OUT. The only way this could not mean CHAOS in my SabreHeart is if Pommer is ousted specifically so that a new #1 may be immediately crowned. If he's ousted because he suddenly loses his mind and becomes terrible and a new player must assume the throne, how could I possibly choose between PieYAY! and Sissy? There would need to be physical challenges and American Gladiator style battles (which is funny because neither of them are American). I'm also envisioning a cook-off and someone hiring me a personal driver and daily massages. I'm not sure if a more scientific selection process exists?! If it does, please let me know.

There is absolutely no chance that Yo-yo could ever lose my love. Jochen Hecht could hold our mascot, my kitty, Oscar at gunpoint and I'd still love his mint green mouth guard and inhumanly adorable lisp. He is up there to stay.

Remember when Yo-yo wore #71?
Yeah, neither do I.

But remember that time he was injured this season and we got a totally adorable intermission interview with Yo-yo in his adorable suit coupled with his adorable lisp and his over all amazingly awesome consistent defensive style of play? I'm pretty sure my heart literally exploded at that moment. AND WHEN HE SCORED GOAL #20 AND I ACCIDENTALLY HIGH-FIVED A LAMP BECAUSE I WAS SO EXCITED!!

Then there's Goose. He is currently 4 out of 4 of my top Sabres, yet he has an iron grip on his spot. S(h)ara said that for him to be knocked out "Goose would have to drive to Vancouver, stab Big Bear, and then come back and play for Ottawa" TRUER WORDS WERE NEVER SPOKEN. Add to that a twirly evil mustache and tying Pommer to train tracks and he still might be able to keep his spot.

As always, this list is subject to change, but I'm sure it will be a mere rotation, and none of these boys (unless they lose their minds and start to suck out loud) will be completely demoted off the list. I mean, really, its not like they're Drew Stafford! Who I'm secretly hoping can worm his way back into my heart, btw.

I'm a fan of the strong but silent type. The kind of player who does his thing, plays his role well and doesn't expect a big hoopla over it. Pommer scores goals and works hard, and never shies away from criticism. Pie does the same and both are amazingly humble about it all, Sissy throws the hits and has his BULLET from the blueline on the power play. Goose provides the energy and the physical presence. Yoyo is the defensive-minded forward of my hopes and dreams. He sets up Pommer and they play extremely well together. I like modesty, it makes me smile, especially when the player is totally kick-ass, like all of these gentlemen are.

Only time will tell who will fill out my list. S(h)ara is pretty convinced it'll be Craig Rivet. Or, rather, she's pretty sure I'll fall in love with him, regardless of if he's top 5 or not. I'm thinking its going to be a battle among Staffy, Kaleta, Rivet and Grizz. Who knows, I could suddenly find myself drawn to Adam Mair's energy line style of play. Kotalik scores on the PP a lot, that could catch my fancy. Sekera or Weber could be my defensive all-star I've been waiting for. ONLY TIME WILL TELL.

---

Private to Ryan Miller:

Of course you're still my secret favorite Sabre and I literally squeal a little with joy that we've signed you everytime I think about it. YEEEE!

However, I should really let you know why you're my "secret" favorite player and not my flat-out "favorite player". Here is the sad but honest truth: I'm secretly afraid you'll suddenly flake out and be a huge disappointment someday.

Millsey! I'm sorry! Don't take this the wrong way! I don't want that to happen, of course! But, I've been burned in the past! I used to love Staffy and he exploded under the burden of my love! Ryan, I kind of love Tim Connolly. THINGS ARE TOUGH. I know! I'm weak!

So Ryan, I love you. It's true. But you'll be on my special reserve list. Perhaps someday this season, or maybe when you retire, I can truly let my love be known. For know, let's keep this between you and me.... and the people that read this blog...whoops.

Love,
Anne

WARNING: ACTUAL HOCKEY TALK, We will return to our usual drivel shortly

by Anne

You know what's awesome? Being outside when its beautiful out like it was yesterday.

You know what's NOT awesome, sunburn. My back hurts. :(

Anyway, I've been thinking a lot lately about next season's forward lines. Every time I do this I come upon a problem. Well, 2 problems, one imminent, one unpredictable. The first unpredictable one is Timmers.

Timmy Connolly is an excellent hockey player and I am very glad to have him on our team. He's one of the best puck handlers in the League and occasionally decides to shoot the puck. HOWEVER, as we all know, Timmy's head is about as safe from destruction as an overripe cantaloupe sitting in a ready-to-fire catapult. Also, at some point, his right leg might just begin open rebellion and fall clean off his body. Therefore, can he really be relied on in a pinch to center our top or 2nd line? I just don't know.

The other problem: Every time I make these lines, I leave someone off. The last time I did it, it was Kaleta. The 2nd time it was Afinogenov. After that it was Mair. Things just get confusing.

There are so many questions. Is Pie-YAY really good with Yo-yo and Pommer? Goose played well with them for a couple of games. Should Kaleta be sent back down? Is Grizz ready to make the leap to the NHL? Are players like Zagrapan ready to take the next step? It's complicated. If we trade someone, I'd love for it to be Max. However, after last season we're not going to get much for him, unless he does well at the beginning of this coming season, but are we really going to chuck him if he starts playing like his old self again? Well, yes, probably.

I'm finally at peace with losing Big Bear. Imagine how much more complicated making lines would be if we had him too. It's a burden I'd be ok with, but I'll let it go for now. We couldn't possibly afford to pay him $2.5 million with the Miller and Pominville extensions, etc. etc.

Anyhoot, does anyone know when next season's schedule comes out? I need to plan my life accordingly.

One more thing. I refuse to be a blogger who beats the dead horse that is "Woe is Buffalo, no one likes us, wah wah wah" Screw that. I love Buffalo and I will not continue to make Sabres and Bills fans sick to their stomachs when hearing about our shortcomings. Was anyone saying this crap when we were winning? No. It comes and goes. All this crap about not signing big UFAs? When was the last time Detroit did that? I'd hardly call Hossa's signing a big one. I understand Buffalo and Detroit are NOT THE SAME however, it just shows that signing big name UFAs does not guarantee you the Stanley Cup. Is anyone looking at Tampa Bay and NOT thinking "Good GOD, this could all just come back to blow up in their collective face." They're signing 1/2 the NHL, how do they have the money for this? Do their fans really want or expect this to keep happening? Their new owners are going to wise up after a couple of seasons of messy losses and unpopular player departures and start playing the game a little more carefully. At least they haven't been handing out offer sheets to everyone they can see, that would be the way to NOT make friends the NHL.

P.S. Vinny, when you're ready to leave, Buffalo is waiting for you! Stamkos who?

A Day in the Life, Day 3

by Anne

The Day started with reuniting me with my camera:

9:02 - and some coffee, tasty, tasty coffee

Having a Tim Horton's actually IN your building is both totally awesome and totally terrible. I keep myself from going there every day, but it's not easy. If it were winter I'd be chugging coffee all day long. Remember! 1 cream, 2 sugar, or 2 Splenda, I don't care.

12:40 - walking to the bus stop, City Hall is neat-looking and art-decco-y

I really need to get a new car.

City Court is GROSS and looks like a prison. Can you imagine working in there?? Those building height vertical black strips are the only windows. Its one of the ugliest structures I've ever seen. Gross.

12:59 - The bus FINALLY arrives

The bus was supposed to come at 12:42. It didn't. The next bus showed at 12:59, with the non-functioning bus that was SUPPOSED to come at 12:42 right in front of it, and not taking passengers. Oh well, I was trying to get there early, so it was no big deal and it was GORGEOUS outside.

1:11 On my walk from the bus to my next work-place destination, I cross the street where Ryan Miller lives. I don't want to be a Creepy McCreeperson and point out exactly where it is or like take a picture specifically of his house. I'm not a stalker. My friend Jill's house is visible in this shot, and my friends Liz and Jenn live right around the corner. It's a happy coincidence that I know where Millsey lives.

1:20 - Arriving at the school where I teach in the afternoons

Buff Sem is a very small private school in Buffalo for girls. It's an old seminary (literally) and you feel kind of like you're in an English boarding school when you walk through it. Everything is carpeted and there's an old grandfather clock in the lobby that chimes very loudly every 15 minutes.

I teach Shakespeah to high school kiddos. I'm an assistant teacher. Word up.

4:30 - Waiting to be picked up under a tree in Delaware Park

It was the absolute perfect weather today. High seventies, low humidiy, cloudless sky, light breeze. Classic Buffalo summer weather. LOVE IT.

4:52 - This lady both wanted and didn't want my help to find some potato chips she had a coupon for at Wegman's. First she wanted me to look down the aisle to see if I could see them because she didn't want to go down there, then when I offered to bring her a bag, she got all offended. Then she wanted me to tell her the difference between Memphis barbecue flavored potato chips and Asian barbecue flavored potato chips. I have no idea what Asian barbecue flavored potato chips taste like, yet she insisted that I offer some deep insight into her selection process. I felt like we were discussing potential draft picks while comparing bags of chips. Which one is stronger coming out of the corners? In the end she went with Memphis. Now she's going to hate them and track me down to yell at me.

6:00 - Isaac the Mac is all better now!!

Yes, that IS the new Jason Pominville wallpaper from Sabres.com. My inner puckbunny is poking her little head out this off-season, just a little. I still love him in a whiny little sister kind of way: "JASON! THE OTHER NHL TEAMS ARE PICKING ON US! TELL THEM ABOUT HOW GREAT THE SYSTEM IS! MAKE IT BETTER POMMER!" kind of way.

9:28 - THE GREATEST NEWS OF THE OFF-SEASON!!!!!!

Happy dance! Happy dance!

I can't lie, with each player movement I read about on NHL.com, I got a little more stressed out about why I hadn't heard anything about Big Bear or Goose or Pie. Grizz too, but not as much. And, I think it was the right move to keep Mancari. He does hold the AHL record for hardest shot. That might come in handy. I really really really really hope that all these boys sign, and it looks like they will. KEVIN LOWE. STAY AWAY. DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID. GET AWAY FROM MY BOYS. STOP LOOKING AT DANNY PAILLE LIKE THAT. HE DOES NOT WANT TO PLAY FOR EDMONTON. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT COVETING NATHAN GERBE FROM AFAR. STOP IT WITH YOUR WACKTASTICAL OBSCENE OFFER SHEETS.

Wowee-zowee. Good times. This is fun. Haha.

Google Analytics is so Entertaining

by Anne

There was no hockey of any kind or of any interest last night, so I'm delving into more funny search engine terms. Most people only do this once every 5 months, but I think it's comedic genius.


I'm assuming the person that found this thing by searching for "(my full name)'s sabres blog", is someone I actually know.


Once again, I'm sorry I don't have shirtless pictures of:

Danny Briere
Henrik Lundqvist
Joel Lundqvist

This blog is not a hotbed for topless photos. However, I inadvertently came across this clip last night in which Danny Breire is shirtless in the background for about 4 seconds. So, enjoy:

To the person who searched for "whore" and "drury" Ha! My thoughts exactly.

"Carey Price interview + Glass of Milk" - It's strange that someone found this blog by searching for that, and stranger still that our blog does boast these terms.

"hahahahha" - We are pretty HILARIOUS

"jason pominville and brian campbell bringin sexy back" - they TOTALLY are, from coast to coast.

"the song when I need that old wa hoo" - Everyone needs a good old "wa hoo" from time to time. I hope we were able to provide it.


To those in search of middle names:

According to Wikipedia, Goose's middle name is Michael. According to his blog, Pommerdoodle's is John. Since many of you are interested in Kaleta's middle name...let's just say it's Jean-Luc and call it a day. Clarke MacArthur's middle name? Um, Olaf. Danny Briere? Igor. As I've said before, I'm telling everyone Ryan Miller's middle name is Horatio until someone can prove that its not.


Everyone's freaking out about playoff beards and their history. Most of the time I think I don't care, but then I got all bothered when I see that a player who previously had a beard has shaved it off. Cough Chris Drury cough.


Today, Team Canada faces off against Team USA, a prospect that appears to have Pommerdoodle piddling himself. Don't worry, Pommers, Team Canada is probably going to wipe the floor with you guys. Probably. Not definitely, just probably. They face off a 3:30 EDT. That's LAME. I'll still be at work, and I won't be able to watch it. That totally blows.


Whatevs! Go Team USA! I hope you don't get totally blown out of the water by your amigos on Team Canada! Woo!

It's OOOOOOOOOVER

by Anne

No, this is not some "End of the World as We Know It" type diatribe about the season being over or something.

It's about something much more personal. No, not Brett Favre, but his goodbye was much sadder.

Yesterday we said goodbye to one of our own.

Somehow, this feels wrong now

Well, sorry Grizz, you actually lost the right to that picture a long time ago, let's switch to a more reasonable one:

Unfortch, Grizz, that one's much more apropos today

I made the terrible mistake of letting you into my heart, but I was weak, and you didn't deliver. I'm not sure what bright spot could be on the horizon...

Wait.



I'm sorry.....



What did you say?



That's why Grizz was sent back?



REALLY?

WOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Grizz was sent back in the anticipation of the return of YO-YO!

UPDATE: Woop! It's confirmed! And Lind-o is surprisingly optimistic about Hank the Tank's return to practice. Woo!


Woo!

Still no word on Hank? That's ok, get better boy. Where's our in-game in-suit interview? It best be comin', MSG.

T-freakin-G-I-F

By Anne

Nothing too exciting to report from the world of hockey this morning.

There were 4 shootouts last night. That's a lot. This means I firmly expect the word "nip" to appear in many headlines on NHL.com today. The Edmonton/ Washington game went 12 rounds, that's a lot. Especially when NO ONE HAD SCORED IN THE FIRST 11 ROUNDS. How boring and tedious. You have to feel bad for the goaltenders. They're clearly putting forth their effort and their shooters just can't connect. After 11 shooters, you just start putting anyone out there, if we got to 12, I think James Patrick (or Jeep as they apparently call him, thank you Derek Roy) should take a whack at it. I love that Matt Bradley was just like, "I'll score, let me go" so Bruce was like, fine, at this point, just go for it, the pickin's have got to be slim. Dude had only scored 2 goals all season and he went out and beat Roloson. That takes balls to pretend to be that confident (he later admitted that he wasn't as confident as he sounded), but whatever! he scored the only goal of the shootout. Well done, Mr. Bradley.

Does anyone else feel completely apathetic about inter-conference games? Yeah last night's game was almost record setting for the Caps in shootout length but I really couldn't have cared less. It's cool that the Caps won, I'm glad. For some reason I have a special place in my heart for the Caps. My sister, MK, chooses to love the Blackhawks because for so long no one in Chicago did. It doesn't help when you can't watch your own team play home games on TV. Fools. Fortunately they've changed that and made some funny little commercials to talk about it:



They go in order of seniority down the bench all ending with Kaner! I read somewhere that they filmed these commercials really really fast with very little prep, but fans always like to see their team being normal, so well done, Chicago Blackhawks. Might I add that there are some good looking Chicago Blackhawks, maybe MK is on to something...

Every team seems to be snapping losing streaks these days: the aforementioned Blackhawks, the Leafs (ew)...the Sabres...? I can't watch tonight's game. I'm thinking of DVRing it, waiting to see if we won, and if we did, then I'll watch it. I just seriously can't take losing. Although I just realized I didn't set my DVR before I left my apartment this morning. I won't be home before the game starts. Whoops, there goes that plan. If only you could program the DVR remotely. Let's look at some more of those attractive hockey players:



It's also amazing how much more attractive most hockey players are than their roster photos would indicate. Most roster photos are less flattering than 2 a.m. DUI mugshots.

In a twisted snap of irony, the "I heart Buffalo Hockey" sweatshirt I ordered on Dec 26th (mere hours before this slide began) finally arrived yesterday. Perfect timing. Maybe this will be the thing that snaps their streak (yes I'm just a tiny bit hockey superstitious) never mind the fact that Roysie could be back in the line-up tonight as well, it's clearly the presence of my sweatshirt that will change everything.

Even though there have been no wins, I would still like to give out a BAMF award. It's a tie among Goosie, Pie-Yay and Grizz. I cannot imagine where this team would be without them. A special nod to Pommerdoodle as well, but we expect those results from you. For the most part, we didn't expect as much as we got from those three. So I say you each get your own BAMF award. Because, in this time of BAMF-less Sabres hockey, we need our heroes to give us hope. And, Grizz, next time I see Brendan Shanahan, I'll kick him in the kidneys. It probably won't hurt, but it's the thought that counts. Pie-YAY, same goes for Volchenkov, except I'll kick him in the face. And Goosie... well, actually, why don't you fight those other two and I'll cheer for you, it'll probably be more effective if you (who are nearly a foot taller than me and much more bad-ass) take them on.

Sabres @ Devils or How Pommerdoodle Got His Groove Back

By Anne

S(h)ara and I watched the game together last night over some La Nova Pizza, despite our mutual adoration for the team, we rarely watch the games together. Although, perhaps that should change.

Apparently, the team went bowling the other night to get their mojo back. The Buffalo News reports that Ruff was the clear winner. Uh, duh? Of course he was. If you were a player on a team that was not playing so hot, wouldn't you want to let the coach win? Kind of a,"Wow, Lindy, you're so great. It's really remarkable. What a guy. Not only were you a great player for the Sabres back in the day, you're also a phenomenal coach. AND now we know, a fantastic bowler as well....Please keep me in the line-up." Clearly, Paetsch didn't do a good enough spit and polish on Lindy's bowling shoes, because he was scratched. Roysie also had an excellent night at the lanes. This left me perplexed until I realized that Roysie (who has a shoulder injury) already knew he was sitting out tonight's game. And, hovering near the top of the team's individual stats, accompanied by his cushy, multi-year contract, (upon which he is making good...I'll get to you later, Vanek) he doesn't need to hold back too much....just don't beat Lindy. And he's Roysie- he's adorably skilled at all sports and athletic feats.

My dear Pratters was back in the line-up and had a belly-flop style dive to poke away a puck headed toward Millsey. Welcome back, Pratter.

As far as the KaletaLove is concerned, I must say, my love is still at bay. However, there were many moments where I felt I could've been swayed. Delivering bone-crushing hits and skating away as if it were nothing- that's what I like to see. It gave the team a little momentum.

Then, dear LORD, GRIZZ! Stop! I already love you! You don't need to keep being so much more AWESOME than almost every other player on the ice. I just about collapsed into a fit when he busted down the ice to knock one of the Devil's to the side on a breakaway. It was magical. I think S(h)ara almost had to get out the smelling salts, I was swooning. Skating hard and fast on the net? I felt overwhelmed. And THEN! Jochen to Grizz, Grizz to Pommerdoole and then THEY SCORED A GOAL! A LINE THAT WORKED AS A SYSTEM, COMBINED THEIR EFFORTS TO SCORE A GOAL! WOOOOOOO!! ok, so Grizz didn't score in the shootout. But that's ok, he can be allowed, it's a lot of pressure to put on a rookie.

UPDATE: Seriously, I can't take much more. This just about puts me over the edge: http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=349347

Get out the brown paper bag, I'll need it. ::swoons::

Oh yes, the shootout. This leads me to the game's T-OC or Time-Out Chair. It overwhelmingly goes to one Mr. Thomas "gold plated jock-strap" Vanek. I mean, I won't go on and on about his contract, or how much I hate Kevin Lowe or how the following exchange occurred during last night's game:

Anne: S(h)ara? You know who I miss? Even though I'm not supposed to admit that I miss him?
S(h)ara: Who do you miss?
Anne: I can't say it.
S(h)ara: Who is it?
Anne: Ok, well it starts with a D.....and ends with an -anny Briere.

We're getting your crap-tastical play for the same amount that Philly is getting Danny? So Danny didn't play so hot against Buffalo in their first game against us, big deal. Danny had his share of crappy games when he was a Sabre too. THE GAME IS ON THE LINE AND YOU LOSE CONTROL OF THE PUCK IN A SHOOT OUT? COME AGAIN? WHAT WAS THAT? I thought Mike Robitaille was going to leap out of the broadcast booth in Buffalo and drive to Ottawa, meet the Sabres on the tarmac and punch Vanek in the face. I still love you, Vanek, because you are who you are, but please. PLEASE. Make you worth your contract.

On the subject of contracts: Soupy. What's the sitch? I have a feeling the Soup's not on in Buffalo. Why? Because with Roysie (eeeeee!) Yo-yo (wooooo!) and Vanek (ehhhh?) tied up in higher ticket contracts, we're gonna need to save our pennies for when the time comes to re-sign Mr. Miller. Millsey means more to the team than Soupy. Sorry, Soup, your bushy red mane poking out of your helmet is cute, but not as cute as things like this:

Although, Soupy, you do sway me with this argument:

Ok, and who can forget the softer side of Soupy?

And leaving your skates on that hit during the Ice Bowl was pretty bitchin'. Ok Soupy, just sign to the Sabres for a reasonable multi-year contract and call it a day, but don't be too greedy.