Weekend Recap

by Anne

Ryan Fitzpatrick had a much better game than Trent Edwards has over the last few games.  Does this mean he should start? Goodness no. Neither of them should. The Bills actually won, though. At least if Fitz has to start next game he won't face the same vitriol Losman faced last season when he had to start for Edwards. No one expects anything from Fitzpatrick or from this team.

I missed my final game of the season on Saturday. There's little to no reason why I should miss any other games this season. Looks like I didn't miss a whole lot yesterday, just the Sabres usual level of suck against the Thrashers. Remember that time we beat them 10-1 in January of 2008? That was super fun. At least we were still the last team to lose in regulation.

Afinogenov scored an insurance goal that ensured the Thrashers 4-2 victory. Alas.

Not a sight we Sabres fans are used to seeing

A happy Afinogenov

A more familiar sight, Sabres goaltender crashed into while Tallinder looks helplessly on

I fell to 2nd in our fantasy league after narrowly losing to S(h)ara's Saskatoon Topnotch Lemons. Curses! My team's +/- really did me in, as was expected.

The Pens and Canucks won last night which is good. The Kings and Sabres lost which isn't good.

The Maple Leafs STILL haven't won a game. They now sit at 0-6-1. Really Leafs? Really? Phil Kessel is chillin' on IR in my fantasy team and I'm pretty sure I'm going to drop him or attempt to trade him. At this rate, I'm not sure that he'll be able to contribute to the Leafs this season. As I'm not in a keeper league, I might ditch him. My team seems to be doing ok without him. But, like any good GM, I don't want to just drop him. Maybe I can convince someone to take him...

Wooooo Kes!

Samuelsson scored and got to hug Big Bear, which part is better, really?

Lastly, the Sabres have posted one of those "Hey look! We have personalities!" locker room videos that we all so enjoy and they've done about one of over the last two seasons. TK is far more relaxed in this interview:

Next Sabres game Wednesday @ Florida.

Woooo!

Game Day All Over Again

by Anne

Tonight begins a whole bunch of weekends in which the Sabres play back to back Friday - Saturday games. Last season of the  6 or 7 back to back weekend night games we only managed to win both of them once. We got anywhere from 0-4 points from those weekends. That's not so great. It's not that I expect them to win every back-to-back series but when they're both at home, I'd like at least three points, please.

How will the trend begin this season?

Lalime will start tonight; hopefully he'll allow fewer than six goals tonight.  The Thrashers aren't quite as bad as they were last year but the season is only three weeks old.

Also, this guy:

I haven't really thought about him much.

Just please don't let him score.

:)

Puck drops at 7:00. I won't be there :(

Fortunately this will be the last game I'll miss this season. Woooo!

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.

I Appreciate This Very Much, NHL

by Anne

Whoever made the NHL schedule this year is clearly a secret admirer of mine, because between Sabres games this week I've gotten to watch 2 exciting Pens games with nail-biting finishes.

Last night the Pens started out 3-0 at home over the Flyers. Wooooo! Things are lookin' good. WOO! Then came the 2nd period.... Simon Gagne scored 2 shorthanded goals in 5 minutes. Uhhhhhhh... all of a sudden the score was 4-3 Flyers. Then, who came through in the waning moments of regulation??

Work the bar stool Sid, work it.

Sid scored his 2nd of the night, and tied it up with 2 1/2 minutes to go. The shootout went to the 6th round before Alex Goligoski scored the only goal and Pittsburgh won it 5-4. WOOOOO!!!

Good times were had by all.... except the Philadelphia Flyers... and Danny Briere who's suffering from a pulled groin :(

Around the NHL:

I wonder if anyone in Hockeytown USA was panicking when the Wings were losing 2-0 to the TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING. The Red Wings did come back to win it with three goals in the third, but, still, dropping the first 2 to Tampa Bay? Uhhhh, not good, Cap'n Lids, not good.

If Henrik Tallinder can score a goal and shake what his mama gave him, WHY CAN'T MATT GREENE? Nevermind the fact that Greener might be the only player in the NHL that averages more than 15:00 a game that scores less frequently than Tallinder. HOWEVER. I declare that Matthew Xavier Greene will score 2 goals this season. YES, YOU HEARD ME 2. TWO WHOLE GOALS FOR GREENER. WATCH. IT'LL HAPPEN. I like to set lofty goals for the players I enjoy.

Matt: Anne thinks I can score 2 goals!
Erik and Wayne: Ok, whatever, buddy, I heard she drinks heavily but WOOO! Anyway!

Oilers WCB, Captain Ethan Moreau scored a goal in a loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, giving him 5 for the season thus far. Considering he only scored 6 goals over the last 2 seasons, things are looking up. Ok, ok, I should point out that between 06-07 and 07-08 he only actually played in 32 games because of injury but WHATEV. He's already more than doubled the number of games he played in 06-07.

Wild WCB Owen Nolan was activated off of IR and had several quality shots on goal in the Wild's 4-0 win over the Coyotes. Speaking of the Desert Pooches, they all managed to escape this one with even +/- because all 4 of Minnesota's goals were scored on the power play. Lucky break? Of course not, that just means they'll be doing nothing but PK drills tomorrow in what's sure to be a lengthy and terrible practice.

Speaking of the Coyotes, I know they're pretty bad and all, but they do have 2 things going for them:

1. I was going to post a picture of a recently discovered attractive player until I looked up how to spell his first name and realized that the only reason his name sounded familiar was because he was the Coyotes first round draft pick this year, thereby making him 18 years old. I'm a creeper... moving on.

2. They have the best and most ridiculous TV commercial sidekick ever: Pierre the Hockey Fanatic Snowman. A snowman with a black eye, missing teeth and a mullet... in Phoenix. Genius.

The Sharks jumped out to a huuuuge early lead on Calgary scoring 4 unanswered goals in the first period. Four Sharks had 2 points in the first alone and it only took about 1:00 into the 2nd to make it 5-0. The final tally was 6-1. Hey! At least they weren't shut out!

Ah yes, the Sabres:

I'm not sure why people keep talking about him, but apparently this "Tim Connolly" figure will be out of the line-up tonight against the Blue Jackets. Who? Tim? Never heard of him. Also apparently sitting this one out? Maxim "But guys! I just became an American citizen!" Afinogenov. Fine. By. Me. He makes me angry. Very very angry. His penchant for turning over the puck, flying into the zone only to scoop around the net and blowing a scoring chance, splitting defensemen and then losing control of the puck all while registering nary a shot on goal cause more than one Sabres fan to grab their heads in disgust and disbelief. He needs to park it for a game, remember a time when he was at least moderately consistent.

Looks like it'll be:

Kotalik up with Vanek and Royzie again (I didn't think that line did much except for TV the other night, but Lindy's giving it another go)
Grizz will center Pommer and Yo-yo (I like the looks of this one)
Mairsy centering with Staffy and Pie (Mairsy is good with the younger players, and 2 recent scratches will probably need a boost... although Paille did have a great night on Wednesday)
Petey Goose and Patty... (I'm not crazy about this line on most nights, but there are a few guys in Columbus that like to get rough, so they'll be ready for them)

I'm assuming the "always defensive minded" tandems will stay together as they've been pretty solid to date.

Totally unrelated to anything:

I cannot STAND people who are always like "I loved this person/player/movie/song/fashion trend BEFORE ANY ONE ELSE BECAUSE I AM A VASTLY SUPERIOR HUMAN BEING". Are we supposed to be impressed that you were totally jonesin' for the whole lace up ankle boot style back in 2006? Carrie Bradshaw has nothing on you.

Speaking completely in a double-standard kind of way, it particularly annoys me when girls do it. ESPECIALLY when girls are all "I don't have girlfriends, I'm TOTALLY UNIQUE I WEAR BOYS SHOES WITH SKINNY JEANS BECAUSE THEY MAKE ME LOOK CUTE." My response is usually "uhh, ok?" Screaming about how unique and original you are doesn't make it so. Just live your life and let your life speak for itself. If you are your own person, that should be apparent to everyone, you don't need to punch us all in the face about it.

This rant is honestly not aimed at anyone, its just a recurring theme I've been seeing in a few people I've met recently at school. And PS, having a tattoo does NOT make you a rebel or original. I have a tattoo. If I have a tattoo, it means that people who are not cool are doing it. Drinking Jones soda, hating Sarah Palin and reading Chuck Palahniuk does not make you inventive and trendsetting. No one cares that you loved Metro Station before "Shake It" came out. No one. I bet Metro Station doesn't even care.

Just stop.

Love,
Anne

Media Guide: The IMPORTANT parts

by Anne

So instead of catching up on reading, I chose to peruse this years media guide.

Enjoy:

Lala (new nickname? I'm terrible at these) has really never taken a bad photo

Every picture I see of him I hear this subtext:

"Ha! Are you really about to take my picture? Oooooooook"

He's kind of dreamy. WAAAAYYY more dreamy than TBO, and that is really my main criteria for a back up goaltender, if they win games, that's just gravy.
I want someone pretty to look at on the bench.
Lindy needs another man to lighten the load

There are no words that can express my love for Tone's roster photos

this years is a VAST improvement over last

However, last year's photo was so delightfully ridiculous, I'm afraid I'm going to miss it

Squeeeeee!

Hahahaha Pie is so adorable. Really, I can't think of anything that PieYAY has done recently that hasn't been adorable. Nope, nothing.

PieYAY is thinking reeeeeeaaaalllllyy hard, or he's licking the extra pixie stick sugar off of his lip.
Did Mairsy get him M&M flavored Lip Smackers?
Poor Pie, he's just going to eat the entire thing and get a tummy ache

Whoever dug up this photo to put in the media guide is my new BFF

SO MUCH LOVE.

MY HEART CAN'T HANDLE IT.

I really can't see anyone but Pommer fighting PieYAY for supremacy in my SabreHeart

Had this picture been the first roster photo I'd ever seen of Webby, I would not have labeled him Doof. Therefore, I'm thrilled beyond words that this roster photo came out later.
And thrilled because Doof is actually quite the looker. Woooo!!




Weeeee! Who scored a goal last night?
Who did? Who?!
That's right, Derek Roy did.
What's that? Oh yeah.
GerbeDerby did too.
WAIT. IS THAT AN ATTEMPT AT A FAUXHAWK?!?!!?!!?!!!!!1!!!





Mike Kostka wins the Pommer Award for most unexpectedly adorable roster photo


Then come the "He can't help it, its just his face." pictures:


Tim Kennedy, I love you dearly and you're a great hockey player,
BUT
you look like if my sister had been hit with an ugly stick and not gotten braces as a child
BUT
I still love you and your girlfriend is apparently smokin' so who gets the last laugh really, TK?



Marek... oh Marek.
You and Nikolai Khabibulin now form the "mildly resembles a new born bird." class of hockey players.

This was in my Facebook news feed and I had to share:

Ecksellent.

I got the word about officially starting at the Arena on Saturday. My call time (what a theatre loser) is 5:30 but that red carpet thingy starts at 5:00. Might this be a logistics nightmare? Probably yes.

My hockey widget is all wacked out and has given Ottawa 2 points already in the standings. Ummmmm, como? Whatev, it also says Buffalo hasn't played any pre-season games yet.

Fantasy hockey seems awesome but I know I'd never keep up with it, so I miss out. Just like I missed out on the Cabbage Patch Doll craze of the mid 1980s, I am passing on fantasy hockey. The real reason I'm not doing it, is because I can't think of a good name for a team. Straight up. That's really the main reason.

I was looking at older posts and DAMN I used to write some LONG posts. That was mainly because I was sitting at a desk in an office all day and had nothing else to do besides write absurdly lengthy blog posts. Now I write them between reading novels and Russian short stories that just make me depressed and wanting to hang out with Maxim Afinogenov all at the same time. Apparently there's a good Russian restaurant on Transit that I apparently get extra credit if I eat there. WHO WANTS SOME KVASS? Let's GO!

I'm trying to get interested in how other teams are doing this pre-season but its hard to give a hoot when you look at the play by play and you can't identify 75% of the players listed. I can barely ID all the men in Sabres' uniform, how am I supposed to become emotionally invested in Alex Goligosky's success with the Pens?

REMEMBER FOR A HOT MINUTE WHEN I WAS AFRAID I'D LOVE THE PENGUINS MORE THAN THE SABRES THIS SEASON BECAUSE I INVESTED SO MUCH ENERGY IN THEM DURING THE PLAYOFFS? hahahahahhahahahahahahhahahaha what a silly fool I was. How could I ever love Sidney Crosby more than Jason Pominville? Jordan Staal more than Adam Mair? Bitch, PLEASE. Now that they don't have Ry-ry, who cares? Colby Armstrong was banished to the barren wasteland that is Atlanta and Ryan Whitney is going to be out FOREVER (or like a couple month) so I just don't give a hoot. They're still my #2 team but back to being a verrrrrrry distant #2.

Oh yeah, and in case you were wondering who the #9 top hitter in the Eastern Conference was last season:

9-Paul Gaustad, Buffalo -- Known for his gritty play, Gaustad is a fan favorite in Buffalo because he’s fearless and productive. He posted a career high 10 goals and 36 points in 2007-08, working mainly on the third and fourth lines, and was re-signed by the Sabres to a four-year deal on the eve of free agency this summer. The four-season performer averaged just over 17 minutes of ice time each game, including power-play and penalty-killing minutes, and finished 13th in the League with 199 hits in 82 games. The 6-4, 222-pound center, who also sported a 54.9 face-off winning percentage, is usually parked in front of the net, seeking an opportunity for a deflection.

And because he shops at the same grocery store as this fearless and productive blogger.

Oh snap. Check ya later.

More Mad Love for Derek Roy, Should We Change the Name of this Blog to Derek Roy's House?

by Anne

So, as I am wont to do while killing time between class, I decided to raid NHL.com to find out any interesting tidbits. And by "interesting" I mean "about the Buffalo Sabres and/or Jarome Iginla", naturally. I scoured the inner depths of the front page of NHL.com to find an article projecting the league's top scorers. Ranking in at #16?

16. Derek Roy, C, Buffalo - 2008-09 projection: 34-61-95

95 points seems about right, based on the upward trend Roysie's been on the last few seasons. DEREK ROY WHY ARE YOU SUCH A SOURCE OF DISSENTION WITHIN ME? I hate you and I love you all in one breath. How can S(h)ara handle this up and down web of chaos you leave your most loyal fans in? Unimaginable, truly.

Oh, and lest we forget #1 also appears on the list:

18. Jason Pominville, RW, Buffalo - 2008-09 projection: 33-59-92

No mention of him being a totally righteous captain though and completely adorable in post game interviews OR the evolution of the PommerFro. Unacceptable.

I'm hoping Rocky is aiming a little low in his projections for SabreBritney:

33. Thomas Vanek, LW, Buffalo - 2008-09 projection: 41-40-81

I'm hoping Britters can add in a couple more goals and toss in a few more assists. Derek Roy's got to get assists from more than 1 of his line mates, DREW STAFFORD! I took all of Rocky Bonnano's yammering about the boys out because he's not saying anything new.

Oh yeah, Max is mentioned as #51, but eh? He probably won't be a Sabre for the entire season, and even if he is, he probably won't be after next June unless he somehow manages to score 30+ goals and be consistent about it.... which I just don't see happening. Timmy was ranked #88, Kotalik #108 and Staffers #112.

BTW:

10. Jarome Iginla, RW, Calgary - 2008-09 projection: 48-52-100

Oh Iggy. :) I hope you get 50 goals again so I have more reason to play the Jarome Iginla song.

On to other things:

I would have greatly enjoyed meeting Rick Nash in NYC, however I'm in Buffalo, so please stop emailing me, NHL Connect and telling me that I could've been chillin' with Rick Nash as NHL 2K9 was released. I get it. I'm SAD ABOUT IT. I missed this:

Weeee!!! I mean, Wiiiiiiii!!!

I just want pre-season to hurry up and get here. I'm tired of season predictions, I want season ACTION. I want to know if Britney will be able to carry the momentum from last season into this one. Will Teppo be our captain? Will Pommer? WHERE IS POMMER'S CONTRACT?! Is this the year Drew Stafford matches his potential? Will Pie-YAY continue to suprise us? Will Millsey REALLY play 70+ games again? Will the Atlanta Thrashers really be as abyssmally awful as everyone thinks they will? I cannot WAIT to see how the Lightning do. After the Sabres, the teams I'll be following most closely are the Pens and the Lightning. Let's see how all those signings affected Sid's team and if the owners of the Lightning really did right by the team with their wacky demolishing and rebuilding of their roster.

John Tortorella had plenty to say about the 'Bolts new brass:

"You got a couple of cowboys in there as owners," Tortorella said. "How you treat your people and run your business is very important in this league. I look at the club and how some things have been done and how they treated Danny Boyle and really lying to the kid, and some of the other things that have gone on there, it's a total different team."

Interesting. Is he simply bitter about being canned? Does he have a point? Is he upset that he and Barry Melrose have the same hairstyle? Wouldn't you be?

Anyhoot, I should go do productive things, like figure out a cheap and timely way to get to NYC, convince Rick Nash that he and I are in love and return home in time for dinner. I think I'll go check in with the physics department, brb.

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?

Trade Winds are a-blowin

by Anne

So we'll be trading for our newest blue-liner, it appears. That, to me, is more exciting than an obscene signing.

MAYBE MY WEEK AND A HALF LONG DREAM OF SIGNING MIKE GREEN CAN COME TRUE!

So, Greener's getting 5.25/ season? Hmmm, that's a lot. BUT if we dump Max's salary... that's only an additional like 1.75 next season. After that, it might become more of a concern. Ha, just to confirm Max's salary was $3.5, I checked some website that's all screwed up that says everyone is a UFA and the only player signed is Sissy. Hahaha. We're gonna need more than just one defenseman, Darcy!!

If we dump 2 of our excess of forwards, that frees up even more space. A lot of people are saying Kotalik might be on the trade block, but I don't want to dump him, he's size and powerplay goals and we need size and powerplay goals. I would be lovely if he scored a few more EQ goals, but hey, we'll take what we can get. He's also one of our most consistent shooters in the shoot out (sad, I know). I could see packaging a smaller player like MacArthur (sorry, Grizz) and Afinogenov and shipping them for a solid defenseman.

On Sabres Edge, John Vogl suggested trading Max for Jay McKee. As deep as my love for JKee runs, I don't think that's the right move. Not at his current price and level of injury prone-ness. We already have a near-paraplegic in TimmyHO, I don't think we need another.

And HAH! Awesome, Mr. Burke. Awesome.

It's hard to stay excited when we haven't heard anything in like 2 days. BOOoOOO!!!

I want to at least hear about my RFA's!!!!! COME ON!!!

ALL I WANT FOR MY BIRTHDAY IS FOR THIS TRADE TO HAPPEN

by Anne


Maxim Afinogenov to Washington for Mike Green?

I heard this rumor from a friend of mine who works at HSBC and says, while its not a guarantee, it's in more than casual talks.


OUT:

IN:

OMGAH!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! The only downside being how crazy a line would it be with Backstrom, Ovechkin and Afingenov on a line together? That could be EPIC.

I don't care though, Mike Green is EXACTLY the kind of player we need. He's young, he's fast, he hits hard, he skates hard and he has a bullet of a shot from the blue line. I don't know if this rumor is true and I'm trying not to get TOO excited about it but its pretty hard not to. WOO!

This trade would make me squeal with hockey fan glee.


But, hey, if that doesn't work out:

I'm totally into seeing other defenseman, Brooksy.

I don't WANT to be SiCK

by Anne


So I awoke this morning with one of my patented "its really gloomy, cloudy and rainy outside, let's do a number on Anne's sinuses MWAAHAHAHAHAHA" headaches. While these somewhat infrequent headaches are normally a welcome opportunity to stay home and sleep it off, I have a great deal to do this afternoon, and this headache will considerably interfere with those plans. ARG!

I have to teach high school students about Shakespeare's life and times etc. Wa-hoo. While I find Mr. Shakespeare's life and times interesting, its not ideal to discuss when one is slightly dizzy and nauseas.

WHATEV. Enough about my "illness".


So the 10 year old cousin who was in attendance with me at the Richard Zednik game and I (along with my mom and his 9 year old sister) are attending the Draft Day party tomorrow. After hearing Goose's interview on 97 Rock, I was saddened to hear that our dear beloved Ryan Miller will not be in attendance. This doesn't affect me too greatly, but Jimmy has professed many times that Ryan is his favorite player, and I was afraid he'd be really disappointed. The conversation in the car yesterday went something like this:

Me: Hey, buddy, so you know the Sabres thing we're going to on Friday?
Jimmy: Yeah.
Me: Well, I just heard that Ryan Miller isn't going to be there. [Braces for huge outcry of displeasure and distress]
Jimmy: So?

Apparently Jimmy does not have the deep emotional attachment to Millsey I had anticipated. Maybe he'll suddenly develop an attachment to one of the players that will be in attendance. Unfortunately, his 2nd favorite is Afinogenov because he's Russian and Jimmy was born in a Russian-speaking country. He also used to like Brian Campbell. Great. It appears all of the kid's favorites are trade fodder. Note to Darcy: can we sign one of the like 5 NHL players from Kazakhstan? Antropov? Nabokov? That's where Jimmy and his sister Ellie were born.

Hmmm, how can I get this kid to love Vanek? He'll be around for a while. Roysie? This project will require some time and effort. I don't really know what about a hockey player, other than the fact that they're a hockey player, appeals to a 10 year old boy. Any thoughts?


Now one of my eyes won't stop watering. I wonder what this smorgasboard of symptoms means? MAYBE IT'S WHAT HAPPENS TO ME WHEN I DON'T HAVE HOCKEY TO WATCH. Its buildup of celebration and ranting and raving, it needs to be released!

I'm really afraid that tomorrow I'm going to be near some player and my Mom is going to be all "go talk to him! You should!" Like I'm 12 again. While I would normally do the same thing to my 10 year old cousin, at the ripe old age of 22, I feel I've out grown the need for such encouragement. Besides, I feel I'd need something to say to them, I can no longer walk up and look cute and smile, it don't work past the age of 10... unless you're in a bar. CURSES!

But I am looking forward to seeing the dressing room, is that weird? haha, I'm more interested in seeing the dressing rooms than the players. Hahaha. No offense, Pat Kaleta.

OMG WHAT IF GERBE IS THERE?!?! HE'S COMING TO PROSPECT CAMP NEXT WEEK!!! SHOULD I YELL AT HIM FOR NOT BEING MY FACEBOOK FRIEND?!?!? Hahahahahahahahaha. "WHY WON'T YOU BE MY FRIEND, GERB-DOGGY-DOGG??"

It's a great way to get to know the security personnel at the Arena.

FINE FLYERS, BE THAT WAY

by Anne

Ew, so the Flyers were NOT elimidated last night. They were not Next-ed. They were given a playoff rose and live to woo another day. My new Penguins fixation (Jordan Staal) scored 2 goals! TOO BAD NO ONE ELSE DID. Boy only had 12 goals all season and now he has 5 in the playoffs, cut him a BREAK peeps and give him some SUPPORT! He totes should've been first star. Granted, the first star doesn't generally come from the losing team, but whoever declared the stars after the game last night agreed with me. Get on the BALL, NHL.com! Jordan flew from Philly to Thunder Bay on Tuesday night, attended his grandfather's funeral, a grandfather he was very close to, then turned around and flew BACK to Philly to play a game and then scored 2 goals. I heard a story that his grandfather used to give the boys a dollar for each goal they scored. I bet that 2 dollars probably would've meant more than any six figure contract the Penguins are going to offer him some day. Thanks A LOT, REST OF THE PENGUINS.

He also got pounded into the boards, but Ry-ry totes had his back and beat the crap out of Hatcher (I think?) on his behalf. Good boy, Ry-ry! I suppose I should start calling Ryan Malone "Bugsy" like everyone else does. Eh, I laugh when I call him Ry-ry cuz its what my cousin's baby used to call his uncle.

Whatevs, it's bad to lose a series at home, believe me, I know. They'll get 'em next game.

Here's a picture of Max from the Worlds that I missed in my last post about Team Russia:

Maybe he should do this more often in Buffalo...

There are no NHL playoff games tonight. That's fine, everyone needs a break. Last night's game in Philly was really exciting, one of the most exciting games I've watched in this year's playoffs. Normally when a team is down 3-0, they just roll over and die. Not in the playoffs, and not the Pittsburgh Penguins. It was really amazing to watch a team just fight and scrap the whole game. I love the Penguins.

Katebits mentioned that she could've been a Flyers fan, I easily could've been a Penguins fan as my parents plan is to move back to Pittsburgh after my Dad finishes law school. For those keeping score, Papa Maloy finished law school in 1979. Stiiiiiill waiting to go back, Pops. Whatevs, no matter how much I love the Penguins in their current incarnation (and I do), I couldn't ever love them as much as I do the Sabres. Because what I really love about the Penguins is Ryan Malone, Jordan Staal, Maxime Talbot, Sid the Kid, Geno, Gary Roberts and Tyler "Fuggo" Kennedy. If all those players were to disperse, I'd still love them. I know that if I were a Penguins fan, Colby Armstrong would've been my favorite and I would be utterly devastated that they traded him. I'm sad about it now, I don't really follow the Penguins exceptionally closely in the regular season.


I JUST REMEMBERED A DREAM I HAD LAST NIGHT.

All I remember about it is that I was driving down the street and we passed Steve Bernier and his wife/girlfriend/BabyMama and Big Bear was all gross and fat and had terrible hair and hadn't shaved in weeks, but was one of those guys that would've looked cool in 1992. And the chick he was with was a cute, pregnant brunette. Hahahahahaha. WTF? I'm a cute brunette! I'm not pregnant, but 2 outta 3 aint bad. Big Bear! I'll totally still love you if you get big and fat and knock me up and decide to dress like people did when we were both 7 years old cuz we were both born in 1985. Wooooo!

Anyway, I want the Pens to finish off the Flyers ASAP. Sunday: Job #1, do NOT give the Flyers a Shot at Love the Cup, do NOT give them a rose, tell them they will not be America's Next Top Model Eastern Conference Champs, they need to pack their knives sticks and GO!


Ok, onto the Worlds:

Today starts the Semis.

Ovie, Afinogenov and Nabokov take on S. Koivu, M. Koivu and Selanne today at 12 EDT.

Roysie, Getzy, Nasher, and Caps PBF take on Lundqvist and (Caps)Backstrom today at 4:00 EDT.

Go Russia! Go Canada! Yay!


On the Sabres front:

I made a submission to Sabres.com with my thoughts about the Vezina nominees, y'all should check and see if they used my thoughts. Woo! Personally, I'm pulling for Nabokov to win it. All the reasons why are listed there, if they use them.


I sent a request for Entry Draft passes to Ottawa, I don't know if I'll get any, but I'll figure out what to do and how to get there if they send me some. Woooohoooo! Young fresh prospects. Haha. I'm not creepy, I SWEAR.


TODAY IS MY LAST DAY AT MY JOB! If you live in Buffalo and want an excuse to knock back a few drinks, I'll be at Pearl Street around 5:00. I'll be in the "I Heart Buffalo Hockey" sweatshirt wearing red glasses and dancing on the tables. Wooohoooo!!!!

---

Private to Jordan Staal:

YAY!!!!!!!! GOOD JOB!!!! YOU CAN COME ALONG IN OUR SABRES SMOOTHIE CAR RIDE!!! Hey, maybe we'll draft your brother, that'd be cool.

Love,
Anne

---

Private to Mike Ryan,

Happy Birthday! I hope we re-sign you, for M.J.'s sake.

Love,
Anne

Eastern Conference Whoop-di-doo

by Anne

It is rather tragic that for the 1st time in the past few years the boys in blue and gold are not vying for (and losing) the Eastern Conference Title. Whatev, if I can't have Pommers, I'll take RY-RY!


Yay! Win for the Pens! It was definitely a little disconcerting at the beginning when the Flyers came out blazin'. They had a really strong start but seemed to just lose their edge. It was weird. Although, the Flyers have lost game 1 of all their series thus far, this isn't necessarily an indicator that they're out.


So far no players in the 4 remaining teams have contracted botulism or ruptured an appendix while bending over to tie their shoes, but don't worry, I'm sure a rash of borderline life-threatening maladies is on its way.


Geno is a freakin' monster. It's funny, Geno shows off a lot more than Sid these days, Sid's taking more of the playmaker role (yes, he did score, that's true) but Geno scored TWICE. And he can score some crazy goals as well, see his last goal against the Rangers only a minute or 2 after skating for almost an entire powerplay. SICK. There are 2 reasons why Geno is not a threat to Sid's star status: 1) He's not Captain or captainly and 2) He doesn't speak English well enough to give interviews. Advantage: Sid. Whatev. I still love 'em both.


Worlds:


Sekera registered his first point of the tournament on an assist on the game-winning goal! He had 2 PIM, 4 shots on goal and was +2! Yay Reggie! They beat Slovakia 5-1


Who knew that Slovakia had a player named M. Hossa? I certainly didn't and my head was momentarily spinning. He also wears 81 (Marian Hossa wears 18) Further proof that Marian Hossa has an evil twin!! We must travel to Halifax and learn the identity of this "person" masquerading as a Hossa! Who's with me! The evil one must be STOPPED! OR IS #18 FOR THE PENGUINS M. HOSSA THE EVIL ONE?!?!? Wait, isn't Hossa Swedish? Reading penguins.nhl.com......reading penguins.nhl.com...nope, born in Czechoslovakia. Oh wait, I just remembered, he has a brother named Marcel.... searching..... searching.... reading the IIHF roster...yup, it's Marcel. Dang, this was more fun when Marian had a crazy twin. Boo.

Evil twin or Marcel?

Max had a goal and a primary assist in Russia's 4-3 shootout win over Belarus. Sorry Tits Bros!

Max appears to have misplaced the lower portion of his right leg

Canada plays Germany today at 3:30. The USA faces Russia on Sunday.

---

Private to Darce and Lar:

Please sign the players I want you to sign ASAP. You've kept my bloodlust at bay by signing Gerbster, but please get on top of your other contract signings. Thanks.

IF YOU DON'T RE-SIGN GOOSE AND BIG BEAR I'LL KILL YOU! M.J. WILL DIE (LITERALLY) IF MIKE RYAN ISN'T SIGNED. DO YOU WANT THAT ON YOUR CONSCIENCE?!?!

Loves ya!

Anne

Here we go Sabres, et al. participating in the 2008 IIHF World Championships, here we go!

by Anne

I really need to work on scaling down my cheers and chants. They're a little lengthy.

I wrote this as I checked the scores throughout the day and wrote each team's paragraphs before the others had been played, except Russia and USA which overlapped.

There were 4 games yesterday.


Kicking things off was:

Denmark v. The Czech Republic featuring Kotalik

Czech Republic wins 5-2

Radim Vrbata, whose name is crazy fun to say, had like 87 points in this game. Ok so it was 3 (2+1) including the game winning goal. Woop!

Kotalik scored a powerplay goal, what a SHOCK! Gasp! He does that a lot. Well done, Al.

It's really amazing how players I don't spend much time thinking about during the Sabres regular season are suddenly the most important player in a game to me, lol. Although, now that I know the Czech Republic boasts a player named Zbynek Irgl, my life is that much closer to being complete. WHERE ARE ALL THE VOWELS? Huh, apparently he was drafted by Nashville but opted to stay in the Czech Republic

And he's kinda cute:

If it weren't for Sissy Spacek, I'd have a new Czech Boyfriend

Denmark's goaltender does not appear to be very good, he let in 5 goals on only 17 shots. That's a .705 SV%. Yyyyyyeah, and we always rag on T-Bone for being .869. That's like astronomical compared to this dude.

Next game for the Czech Republic is Sunday against Russia.



Next up:

Derek Roy v. Anze Kopitar (Slovenia)

Canada wins 5-1

There's so much lovin' to be found on Team Canada, Mike Green, Getzy (former Pacific Division boyfriend), Jonathan Toews, Louie. But also so much yick: Jason Spezza, Dany Heatley. Do you think Roysie is totally cool with Spezza and Heatley or does he like not talk to them because they're Senators? Does Getzy pick on them because the Ducks Mightily pwned the Sens last year? Does Roysie yell mean things at Spezza and then hide behind RickNash? Nasher will totes protect you, Roysie....he looks out for his wee teammates.

Roysie was on a line with Rick Nash and Patrick Sharp. Woooo!

Anyhoot, Heatley got a hat trick and Team Canada had 65 shots on goal. Wowzas. I've been saying it since the roster was announced, I bet Canada will take Gold with Russia giving a good run. Maybe Finland, and probably not the US. They'll probably finish in the 3rd-5th.

Next game for Canada is Sunday v. Latvia.



Next up we have:

Kalinin and Afinogenov v. The Team that Sabres' goaltending coach, Jim Corsi, is working with

Russia wins 7-1

There are apparently no Italian citizen hockey players in the NHL.

Kalinin and Afinogenov were not in a unit together. So, Afinogenov was wearing 61 but Kalinin was wearing 7. Random. No one else was wearing 45, but then again, maybe he's always wanted to wear 7, but it's retired so he couldn't wear it in Buffalo.

Ovie scored a goal and Semin scored 2. Caps reprezentin' woop woop!

Italy also boasts a goalie whose last name is "Gunther Hell". I don't know if Italians realize what that means in English. They might. Regardless of how bad their team might be, Italy can say they can "Give 'em Hell in net" and they're totally right.

Max tries to score, doesn't succeed, but still looks good doin' it

Next game for Russia is v. The Czech Republic.

Finally, rounding out Friday's action is:

Team from Camp Morningwood v. Latvia

USA wins 4-0!

We all know who's tearin' it up on Team Morningwood. However, Molly from Boston College has informed me in her comment a few posts ago that Gerbe-Derby was cut from the team: (I'm not surprised, Pommer was cut from Team Canada when he was 20 and there he is today! Woo!)

Staffy and Pommer are on a line together. Staffy's rockin' Timmy's # and Pommer has stuck with good ol' 29. I like it when players use the same number. Kaner is wearing 83. Peter Mueller got 88. I'm guessing an epic battle of rock paper scissors decided this one, that, or Mueller is a few months older.

Kaner had 3 pts in the game (1+2), Pommer and Staffy were point-less, but, um Staffy got a penalty!.....? Pommer had about 14 minutes of ice time and 1 shot on goal. Stampy didn't score on his penalty shot he was awarded when he was yanked down on a breakaway.

The live blogger at the game said that Kaner would've been the star of the game with Tim Tom comin' in 2nd. Yay!!! Wooo! Although, on the IIHF website the "best player" was Paulie Martin. Whatevs! It was the only shutout on a very lopsided day of hockey. Yay!

Kaner scored a goal! And had an assist! Yay!

Next game for the USA is Sunday v. Slovenia, Woooo!

Random Thoughts about Last Night

by Anne

I think Maxim Afinogenov's goal scoring is directly related to my nasal health. I've been congested since basically Friday, we win a game, Max gets 2 goals, I can breathe.

Every morning I look over who NHL.com considers to be their stars of the night. All too frequently they disregard my picks entirely. Perhaps my persistent emails are not persistent enough?

My votes for last night's 3 stars:

#3 Andrej Sekera

The kid the boys at The Goose's Roost call "Balls". Balls or no balls (HA!) he played an excellent game in a desperate "Aw shiz, our top D-Man is down, let's play frantic defense." style, yet it paid off. He and Sissy skated well together.

#2 Derek Roy

You TOTES cheated and TOTES got away with it, hahahaha. I think it was a gimmie for not calling the boarding penalty on Hank.

#1 Maxim "The Soviet Bomber" Afinogenov

Ah, Max. I still don't like you, I never have, even after all these years together. Even though I met you once and took pictures of the hilarious shirt you brought into the dry cleaner's where I used to work, but you are still pretty sweet, and you stepped it up last night. You, Big Bear and Goose were a great line. I enjoyed it. Here's the thing about Max that really bothers me:

Why must you tuck in your sweater? It looks sorta LAME-O

Based on the look on his face, I'm assuming Nate-Dogg wasn't excited enough about the goal as Max was. Max looks like "Aw, come on Patches, I score de pointers, I sorry you no score dem as much."

*Sidenote: Who else always starts to type Paetsch's name and then can't remember where the "s" goes? Paestch? Paetcsh? Ha.

Here's a picture that does my heart good:

Gasp! Is that-!

It is! Staffy, playing some defensive hockey! Roughing up some random Flyer. I hope it was Carter, I hate Jeff Carter. Good boy Staffy!

Ok, this smoothie car ride is going to be full.

Just to show some tough love, I will not make smoothie car ride decisions until after tonight's game. So far, its easier just to say who's in the top of the pack and who's definitely out of the running as of right now. But a solid performance tonight could get them back in.

Most likely in:

Pommerdoodle. Eep! 9 game point streak! 24 POINTS IN 19 GAMES! Yay Pommer! You are so creeping up on top 3 favorite Sabre territory inspite of your role as puckbunny fodder.

Roysie. You sir, are pretty BA. And you and Pommer helped Hank the Tank off the ice last night. I seriously love it when players take care of each other like that...and by beating the snot out of whoever hit them.

Soviet. I may not like you, but you were pretty sweet tonight.

Millsey. While not your single greatest game ever, it was still your usual sweetness, and you totes didn't take dat shiz when Hartnell was all up in yo' grill. I love it when you get penalties for roughing. Hahahahahahaha.

*Sidenote, come ON! Who didn't want to see Marty and Millsey go at it? How hilarious did Marty look standing at center ice waiting to go? He looked like a lost penguin.

Most likely out:

Kaleta. My love for you is great, Patty, but you were a little bratty last night. I truly appreciate you standing up for Millsey, but 10 minute misconduct penalties are not cool. Don't yell at the refs, just don't.

Petey. You failed to prove your goal scoring prowess last night.

Kalinin. Do I really need to explain?

Pie-YAY. I know, Lind-o is already being tough on you, but you respond well to tough love, so I can't cave.

All injured players clearly are excused from punishment, as they were not at fault for any mistakes on the ice. So Mikey, Yo yo, Hank and Teppo, while you won't be rewarded with smoothies, know that its not because you were bad, its because you didn't do anything at all.

(Prive to Yo-yo and Hank...I'll bring you back a smoothie....just don't tell the others.)

Back to life, back to reality.

By Anne

Picture a crazy about-to-be-married woman who decided to have one last wild weekend romp with the girls in Vegas before settling down with her husband. For one weekend she goes crazy, partying all night, drinking, dancing, hitting the clubs, living without a care in the world. And then, the last night she's there, as she pours her cosmo and mimosa soaked bum into bed, she realizes that now that all the fun craziness is over, she's actually glad to be going home to her man.

That's basically how I feel about tonight's game. I spent the whole weekend enjoying all the delicious non-Sabres hockey players the NHL has to offer (some a little too much) and now, after all is said and done, I'm glad its over. As I looked at photos from the weekend and thought about tonight's game, I realized that I'm really glad to be getting back to Sabres Hockey. Where's my Millsey? Goosie? How was the weekend off? Pie-YAY, did you catch up on your Wii? Pommerdoodle, did you go visit your mama pup in Repentigny? Sissy - did the wife make you watch the babies while she went to the spa? (that's what I'd do)

Le sigh. The band is back together in Tampa Bay tonight, with Soupy having the least traveling to do, of course. They will be facing off against one of the many players I cheated on them with this weekend - Mr. Hottest Center in the East, Vincent Lecavalier and his adorable linemate, Thunderbug...I mean Martin St. Louis.

After perusal of the latest Sabres injury reports:

In sadder Sabres News, Timmy "I don't feel like being healthy" Connolly was diagnosed with a bone spur in his hip. All together now: "Ow." Poor TimmyHo, he'll be in pain for the rest of the season and won't be able to have the spur removed until the off-season. Poor Tims. Feel better Timmy's hip! :( What else can go wrong with this boy? ACK! DON'T ANSWER THAT! TIMMYHO IS A POWERHOUSE, NOTHING CAN BREAK HIM! GRRRRR!

The Soviet Bomber looks to be coming back soon... the groin's feeling better... uhhh, yeah, has anyone really missed him?

Mikey Ryan will be back in the line-up and is apparently really excited to be back. Hoo-ray. I'm happy that Mikey's back, but only because that means (1) he's not injured and I never want players to be injured; (2)he's a fast skater and we need that; (3) it means Petey will get even less ice time.

Huzzah! Pommer posted on his blog. Before reading it, I can only hope he makes references to his wacky whirlwind trip home to the farm to see his mama pup and littermates. (Reading, reading)- Ok so he mentions traveling but only mentions his travel with his girlfriend. Fine. I guess we'll have to wait til the off-season to hear about these Adventures of Pommerdoodle. Interestingly, he does not mention Soupy in any of his writings about the All-Star weekend. You'd think he'd give a shoutout to being on the same team as the (supposedly) fastest skater in the Eastern Conference. I totally think that the Soviet Bomber would skate circles around him, but that's ok.

Now begins the back end of the season mad dash for the playoffs. Let's see what happens when the NHL stops being nice and starts getting real. If big-name players are going to be traded, now is the time to do it, (cough, Soupy, cough), post All-Star Weekend. Teams that are this close to being in the playoffs or losing their playoff spot start playing crazily, frantically jockeying for positions in the standings. The Eastern Conference playoff picture is going to change daily. I fully expect from here on out to be checking the standings first thing every morning to see just how far out the Sabres are. 34 games to go!