Another Snoozer for the Sabres; Thriller for the Canucks

by Anne

Once again, no one stepped up and took control of the game. Well, someone did; Patrice Bergeron did. For those keeping score, Patrice Bergeron does NOT play for the Buffalo Sabres.

Whatever, I don't have much to say about that game. Good job, Goose. Cookies for Goose, and for Staffy. Staffy is hurt with a bone bruise. That sounds unbelievably unpleasant. Does this mean Tyler Ennis makes the return trip? Is Gerbe healthy yet? Here's hoping one of them is ready!

Tonight they play the Senators. I'll be at a show, so I won't see it. Too bad.

The Canucks won last night. The first period started out pretty darn rocky, with the Avs jumping out to an early two goal lead. After cutting the deficit to one in the second period, the Canucks scored four more unanswered goals in the third to take a 5-2 victory. Their last game, ten years ago it feels, was an 8-2 victory over the Avs. Wooo! Big Bear scored a PP goal on  a nifty little deflection:

They may have fallen to #3 in my heart but I still loves them.

Especially Big Bear.
Especially goals like that.
Please don't go six days between games again, I don't like that and neither does my fantasy team.

 Nothing to do with the game,

 but how adorable are Henrik Sedin and his son?

Other things:

• Danny Briere and M-E Vlasic fought last night. Yes, you read that right. I... I'm so confused. I wish I had seen it live. It's just so bizarre:

The best part is the looks of disbelief on their teammates' faces.
Also, I don't think any punches were thrown, but gloves were off.
hahahahahaha fantastic
Good job, Pickles!
You don't let Danny Briere attempt to put you in a headlock!

• Also in that game, Dany Heatley had his second hat trick of the season. This pleases me for two reasons: It was against the Flyers and he's a Sunny Hedgehog Enchanter. Yessss.
  

• Tonight the Sabres play in Ottawa (barf), the Kings host the Flames and the Pens are in Atlanta. Hopefully I'll be able to watch some bitchin' highlight reel goals scored by the Sabres and Pens during the intermissions of the Kings game tonight! They're all gonna win, right? Please, Sabres? I don't know what's in the kool-aid you drink before Senators games, but they're not freaky zombie people, out to eat your brains and such. Especially now that Heatley's gone. Please win? Thanks.
  

• ETA: The Kings game is at 4:00. Good thing I looked at the schedule again!
  

Sabres Defeat Kitties 5-2; Pie's debut

by Anne

The Sabres are the best team everz!

When I walked into Cari's house and the Bruins' game was on, I nearly wept. I spotted Pie on the ice without seeing his number because I know his skating style and I miss it. :(

Anyway, that first period was a doozy and a half. It was all kinds of fun. Especially because each player I told a story about (almost) score while I was telling that story.

It started like this:

Kim: Who has the road A's

All of us: Roy and Hecht

Me: I don't get why Roy wears an "A." Well, really it's more that I don't understand why Mike Grier doesn't have one.

RJ: Scooooooooores! Mike Grier!

At the close of the 2008-2009 season, my list of favorite Sabres went like this: 1. Spacek; 2. Paille; 3. Rivet; 4. Butler; 5. Ellis

With 1 and 2 gone, I guess that bumps everyone up. Matt Ellis responded to his promotion by scoring a goal. Thanks, Matty!

Awwww.

Similar things happened for Myers and Ellis after recently being bumped up the ranks. Also, Derek Roy had a much better night in his own zone and made a particularly big in-the-crease save while I was telling a story about him.

Grizz had an interesting night. From the game recap:

Buffalo LW Clarke MacArthur suffered from flulike symptoms earlier in the week and wore a surgical mask on the team's flight to South Florida, but was in Buffalo's starting lineup Wednesday.

Hokay. I guess whatever works to keep the team healthy?

At the end of the 3rd, Dominic Moore draped himself aaall over Grizz, yet Grizz got a penalty. Perhaps he got a bit mouthy for the ref's taste so he was kicked out of the game. Patty Kaleta was already in the box for this:

Take THAT, Nathan Horton.

That'll teach people to start "Stafford-for-Horton" trade rumors

When Grizz arrived, all pissed off into the box and dramatically hit the door and the penalty box door holder guy with his stick, Patty gave him a reassuring fistbump to the Grizz leg when he got in there which seemed to say "It's ok Grizz, I miss Danny too."

:(

He got an assist!

Also, stop calling him "Daniel." It's Danny. :(

Woo!

Also, Big Bear scored and the Canucks won. Willie Mitchell also nearly killed Jonathan Toews :(

Finally, from the LA Kings trainer Joe Caligiuri's blog Offsides (link in the blog roll):

The most common of the pranks is the tie clipping. Make sure you have a good tie or its gonna get clipped. Last year, Kyle Calder had his tie clipped and as the circle of pranks suggests, someone must pay the dividends. As the team dress code requires, all players and coaches are to wear suits to all home games at Staples Center. With this rule in mind, Kyle Calder raced to Matt Greene’s house one morning after pre-game skate and stole every single piece of dress clothing out of his closet. Upon returning to his house, he had yet nothing in his closet but two dozen swaying hangers. Looking high and low, he managed to find an old suit, one that more closely represented his suit from first communion. Being his only suit, he squeezed himself into the little boys pants and suit coat and walked his way shamelessly through the Staples center corridors. Picture Pee-Wee Herman in a khaki suit – Priceless.

My favorite is the use of "shamlessly." Also, the suit was probably Doughty's, haha.

Phew, they finally won!

by Anne

The Vancouver Canucks, who roared out to an almost undefeated preseason, quickly fell to 0-3 to start the season, much to the dismay of their fans both near and far.

Last night was the team's last ditch effort to avoid starting 0-4 for the first time in franchise history.

Bobby Lu, in spite of his usual October doldrums was given the start against the Montreal Canadiens who had started the season well.

All was not too swell in Vancouver land, the Canadiens were dominating play early on, and things looked like they might go the way of the first three games.

That is until Ryan Kesler decided to say "Yo, screw this baloney." and scored a goal. Then Mason Raymond followed suit as did Henrik Sedin (twice), Alex Burrows, Mikael Samuelsson and, adding his first goal of the season (on the power play of course):

Big Bear!

:)

It was a really effective power play, and Big Bear was the recipient of a beautiful series of passes among him and the Sedins. Of course the analysts (as usual) gave all credit to Heniel and Danrik. Whatevs, Big Bear put the biscuit in the basket and that's all that matters to me.

The Canucks crushed teh Canadiens 7-1 in Carey Price's first game in his home province of British Columbia. I don't like the Habs or Carey Price but I feel bad for the kid, ever since last season, he hasn't had it easy in Montreal. In all honesty, a lot of those goals Price had little to no support from his D, and as much as people try to use that as an excuse for why their goaltender gave up seven goals, it's true, there were some definite defensive screw ups on the part of Montreal. Yes, even Sissy, who was in front of the next when Burrows scored.

Also! Yesterday Kevin Bieksa and his wife welcomed their second baby into the world, a little girl named Reese. Congrats! Reese and sleep deprivation appear to be Kevin Bieksa's secret weapons as he picked up an assist in last night's win. 

I didn't want to talk about it but the Pens were shutout by the Phoenix Coyotes.

The only positive I can take from that game is that Ilya Bryzgalov is on my fantasy team. Woo? I'm not really worried about the Pens, Brent Johnson played well in the backup role, including an absolutely sensational glove save on Shane Doan in close. I'm not worried, they'll be fine. Getting shutout is a bit stressful, but they'll be fine.

Enough about those other teams, my one true loves FINALLY play again tonight. Oh wait, they're playing those same Coyotes who shutout the PENS? Uhhh, well, on the plus side, they played last night and the Sabres haven't played since Saturday. Also Jason LaBarbera might start in net. Well, they might start Bryz because he's on a hot streak and he's a workhorse, like our very own netminder. Regardless, I'm benching him because I can't find any reason to cheer against the Sabres or take joy in their loss. Although, if they lose, it would give me another W in the column... NO ANNE, NO. Bench Bryz for tonight. It doesn't matter.

Puck drops at 7:00. I will not be in attendance as I have recently been diagnosed with tonsillitis and would prefer to not infect my fellow employees or the fans. :(

Opening Night Didn't Go So Well

by Anne

Well, in brief, here is how all four of last night's games went from my perspective:

• Toronto v. Montreal: Ok, guys, we get it, you like to hit. Two fights, Mike Komisarek nearly sending himself through the glass to make a point to his former team. Habs won 4-3 in OT.

Schenner!
Look out!
Sneaky little Scott Gomez is right behind you!

• Brooks Laich(!) and Alexander Ovechkin each had two goals and the Caps defeated the Bruins 4-1. I guess that was my preferred outcome, now that we think divisionally, at least for the next few months

Oh Sissy.

• The Avalanche beat the Sharks 5-2 and Joe Sakic's number was retired. Joe Sakic, what a dude.

Darcy Tucker is REALLY excited about scoring a goal

• Also, to celebrate his hero, Matt Duchene earned himself his first NHL point, an assist on JM Liles' goal (the 5th).

• The Canucks were losing 3-0 at one point and had a nice rally, but fell victim to an empty-net goal and bad penalty killing.

Big Bear had three shots on goal and four hits
He had an assist but they took it away :(

• Steve Montador has a personality: He talks about our youngest defensemen on Saturday's Roster. He makes fun of the JBG and I'm a-ok with that, keep things loose around the kid:
  

"I've seen [Sekera] do some pretty special things," Montador said. "He's strong on his feet, has good vision and for a European guy who has English as a second language, he talks quite a bit, which is great for a partner.

"Butler plays so confident, knows he can skate and does the little things well. Then you look at a guy like Myers who's 10 years younger than me. For a guy pulling moves and skating like that when he probably hasn't shaved a day in his life is impressive to me."

• Brent Seabrook and Patrick Sharp of the Chicago Blackhawks appear to be having a European affair. Just don't tell Adam Burish who's stuck back home in Chicago with a knee injury.

Ain't they sweet?

• I love game photography:

Beauchemin: No, Luke, really, let's go left
Schenn: No, Francois, the play says move the puck up the ice
Beauchemin: I really don't think that's it
Schenn: Totally man, it is
Lapierre: If you two are finished chatting, I'll just come and take that puck...

The Good The Bad and The WTF

by Anne

Additonal roster photos have been released throughout the league. I will not, of course, be posting the 600+ photos that have been released.... OR WILL I?!

No, I won't.

I will, however, post those of my WCBs and Vice-WCBs (maybe) as they are revealed to me.

The Good (sorry about the watermarks):

Big Bear, looking all chizzled and ready to go


SO'B ready to charm his way into a roster spot
Fierce roster photo: check.

The Bad:

Thank goodness there's photoshop
He looks like he's 5'3"
You can see the bottom of the "canvas"
hahahaha

The WTF:

I appreciate growing the hair back
I appreciate the smile
I do NOT appreciate that gross landing strip of facial hair you have on your chin
Please remedy this situation posthaste

The Totally unrelated:

I came across this picture of the Schenn brothers at the draft
I take every oppotunity to see Luke Schenn in a suit
Brayden is not yet old enough for me to ogle him
But give it time.

Friday Shenanigans

by Anne

Yesterday it was announced that Steve Bernier was offered a contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks! The deal is reportedly for 2 years at about $2 million per season, which is actually a pay cut for Big Bear. He made $2.5 million this season because of an offer sheet from St. Louis. Yay! Hoooray for job security! Hooray for Vancouver! Hooray for Big Bear!

Big Bear's Big Hair: Playoff Edition
whoa.

I can't believe that the Conference Finals are just now starting. The friggin' semifinals were so intense, it was exhausting. It seems like someone should be hoisting something over their head any day now.

I will, of course, be cheering for the Pens and Blackhawks in their respective Conference finals. Also, for the record, I have been informed/decided that Niklas Hjalmarsson is apparently my Blackhawks man even though I really wanted it to be Seabs; I was told he has already been claimed by a Buffalo blogger. Alas. The Hammer will quickly become my new favorite Blackhawk once I get around to learning anything about him. I don't generally go for the Europeans so this is a whole new world for me. A brief overview seems to indicate he might be one of those big shut-down defensemen I'm so fond of. This could go well for Hammer.

I'm attempting to re-vamp "Anne's Westcern Conference Boyfriends" for 2009-2010. I made some very misguided choices last year. Brett Lebda?! What was I thinking? I was so young and foolish back then. It will be difficult to nail down this list prior to July 1 but I, of course, am getting started on it anyway.

Also, I'm figuring out all the things that must happen for James Wisniewski to become a Sabre next season. What does Anaheim need that we have...? Perchance a three team deal? I'll call Darcy and see what he says.

Enjoy Friday everyone!

Canucks Take Series Lead

by Anne

I have a million papers to write and like 20 minutes to write them all in, so time's a tad bit tight. However, I cannot neglect my Canucks.

Yay! The Canucks won 3-1 last night! Big Bear scored his 2nd goal of the playoffs (btw both of them have been the game-winning kind, I'm just sayin'). His goal was the finish to a lot of hard work by his teammates on the powerplay. He parks his big self in front of the net to tap in those rebounds, and that's just what he did:

Owwwww!

The win gives Vancouver the 2-1 series lead. I'm absolutely loving this series so far. It's been very back and forth and fancy. Both goaltenders have looked great and looked terrible. Scoring has been coming from all over the ice, in all situations, lots of hits and lots of foxiness in general.

I wore my Canucks t-shirt all day yesterday but was seeing a friend of mine from college in the national tour of A Chorus Line so I was unable to watch the game. :(

Fortunately, I am not working Thursday night so I will be able to watch game four!!

Taylor Pyatt was back last night! I'm sad I couldn't see his triumphant return. I also scoured the photo galleries for a picture of Pie v. 1.0 with little success. I think he's in the back of one picture but I'm not 100% sure it was him. Regardless, I'm very glad he's back and I'm sure his teammates/coaches/fans/family are all glad he's back too.

Let's Go Canucks!

Also, those pesky Ducks have taken a 2-1 series lead over the Red Wings. That's crazy times. Where was this team all season? I dont' think Ducks fans care, they're just glad they're here now.

My Pens are disappointing me. Sidney Crosby scored a hat trick, and they LOST. Ovie scored a hat trick and they won. Why? Because one more Cap (David Steckel) decided to show up. If the rest of the Pens could please arrive on time for game three, Sid and I would appreciate it.

Weekend O' Pictures

by Anne

I worked about a gajillion hours this weekend so I was a negligent blogger. Here now is a recap in pictures:

NHL:

Sighs.The Canucks lost a bad one to the Blackhawks. They blew a two goal lead and dropped Game 2 by a score of 6-3. Ouch. That one stung. I wasn't watching too closely as I was working and/or at a bar in which the game was on a TV that was very far away and there was no sound. Le sigh. The series is tied 1-1. On the bright side, this was the first loss of the post-season for the Canucks, and no one thought that this series would be a sweep.

Also, we tragically learned that Big Bear has a neck beard:

I think I can get over it.
I think.
Just keep playing physically and I can get over it.
Maybe score a goal.

IIHF Worlds:

Team USA played Russia on Saturday and lost 4-1. Boooo. And Staffy cut his face in the game against France, it would seem (some of the pics from the game against France did not load when I wanted them to the other night):

Ouch.
But NOT a neckbeard.

But don't worry, Staffy and his uber-intense excited eyebrows were still available for Saturday's yicky loss to Russia:

Please don't grow a mustache Drew, those are gross.
Much like that game.

Team USA next faces Switzerland this afternoon at 2:15 ET. Woooo!

Team Austria has done quite well in the Relegation Round. They beat Hungary 6-0 on Friday and Sunday morning at 6:15 am ET they beat Yoyo and Germany 1-0. Vanek had the only assist on the only goal Sunday morning.

Britters is interviewed, probably in German.

Austria next plays Denmark today... oh wait, the game will have already started by the time this is posted. Whoops. I'll edit this to add the score, I'm sure. ETA: Austria lost 5-2 and will be demoted back to Division I. :(

Team Canada defeated Norway 5-1 Sunday afternoon. Team Canada remains undefeated thusfar in the tournament.

Royzie, dangerously close to being a dirty Swiss hooker



Dewey melts hearts internationally with this little Canadian fan
Look! He's holding a stuffed Cooly!
Where can I get a stuffed Cooly?

Team Canada next beats plays Finland at 2:15 today in the final day of Qualification round play. Team USA needs to win today to make it to the Quarterfinals.

Canucks Take Game 1!

by Anne

Woooo! The Vancouver Canucks won Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Semi-finals against the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3, thanks mostly to Kyle Wellwood's face.

Wellwood was high sticked TWICE last night and blood was drawn both times, resulting in a pair of four minute power plays.

Unfortunately, the power play was where you saw the cobwebs in Vancouver's game. They failed to connect on the first four minute man advantage but Duncan Keith took a penalty immediately after and Demitra scored on the following powerplay.

The Canucks dominated the scoreboard for the first 40 minutes and then decided to bake brownies for the after party during the third and the Blackhawks scored three goals to tie the game at three. Whoops. Fortunately Sami Salo tapped in a Big Bear rebound as the trailer on a great odd man rush to re-take the lead. Ryan Johnson and added an empty netter to ice the cake of the first game.

I'm going to enjoy this series, so far so good. Even though the Canucks were on the brink of an Epic Third Period Collapse, they manged to provide the offense to win the game.

This game showed that Roberto Luongo isn't the only Canuck who can win a game. He let in three goals, more (I think) than he let in in any of the four games against St. Louis, but the Canucks also score more goals than they did against the Blues.

Ain't no way this series is going to be a sweep though, I predict it goes at least six.

Big Bear had yet another amazing opportunity in front but Khabby was up to the challenge and swallowed up the puck to make the stop. Although Big Bear's playoff scruff is quite dashing I must say. He had two assists and was a +2. Yay Big Bear!

Sami! Not the face!

Next game Saturday at 9:00 (I'll be working, boooo.)

Was it MY Birthday?

by Anne

Yesterday, as we all know, was Steven Bernier's 24th Birthday. A joyous day I almost forgot to commemorate. However! Whilst perusing the Canucks website yesterday I discovered something amazing:

Big Bear wrote a blog.

Is it Christmas? My birthday? What have I done to earn such a wonderful gift? Is this kismet? Whatever it is, its amazing. SO amazing that even Cari texted me to make sure I'd read it. My love is known far and wide.

Here now is a breakdown of some of Steven's thoughts on the Canucks' recent road trip:

Despite all the places I’ve had to fly with my teams, I still get a little nervous on the plane. We have an awesome crew and everything but I don’t know why I still feel that way.

Steven is a nervous flyer. How cute! Yet he still manages to give props to the flight crew, for fear he has insulted them with his apprehensions. I am not a nervous flyer and basically feel totally at ease until the flight attendants start panicking. We do not have this in common but perhaps this is better than two people in a full tilt panic when we hit some turbulence?

This trip has been a long one and we’re playing a lot of game[sic] in a short amount of time but it’s a good feeling on the plane and in the room so I’m not complaining.

Note the keen way in which Steven disregards basic English written syntax and once again tries to assure us all he's not upset. What is this? A NON-plural where it should be plural? Big Bear has a lot of issues with plurals be it discussing his happiness to be a "Sabres" or apparently being unable to speak of multiple games. The letter "S" is his downfall. Perhaps this is because his name starts with the letter "s"? There maybe deeper issues at work here.

I always love going back East because my family is there and I get to see them, which is always good and it’s exciting whenever Canadian teams play each other anyway. I really miss all of them, so I make an effort to see them whenever I’m back in Eastern Canada.

Once again, what?Is he discussing missing his family in Eastern Canada or does he miss the Eastern Canada teams? Does he long for his Mama's home cooking or watching Alexei Kovalev play?

After almost nine months in Vancouver, I still can’t believe how beautiful this city is. I can’t stress enough how amazing everyone in this city is and how much they’re into the Vancouver Canucks.

Vancouver is probably the perfect balance between San Jose and Buffalo. In San Jose there were beautiful beaches but not as much fan involvement. In Buffalo there's lots of fan involvement but not so much beauty. Looks like Big Bear found a great place to play. Awwww!

Big Bear chills with Mama Bear on the plane

Thinking about tonight's game makes me so nervous. Both Florida and Montreal won last night which is putting the playoffs almost completely out of reach. If they lose this one, they're basically done. Not officially but they might as well be.

Also, if the Sabres don't make it, I will need to choose an Eastern team. I'm leaning towards the Devils right now. Thoughts?

Puck drops at 7:00 in Atlanta.

*I hate formatting posts on a PC, it never works right. Sorry if this is really smushed or crazily spaced out.

Happy Birthday, Steven!

by Anne

Today our former beloved, Steve Bernier, turns 24!

I baked you this bear cake, Big Bear!

Beat the Wild tonight!

That would be the best birthday present ever!!!

Go Canucks!

*I intended to post this this morning before my awards post but I accidentally scheduled it to post at 8:30 p.m. instead of a.m. I fail.

I See You've Finally Come Around

by Anne

NOW can we all accept that the Sabres are a genuinely bad hockey team that is not going to make the playoffs?

Life is so much simpler this way. I've been content for days, dear ones. Join me, won't you?

Just over five weeks away!

Congrats to Marty Brodeur for win #552. Quite an accomplishment, sir. Maybe only slightly more impressive than your stat as the only NHL goaltender to score a game winning goal. That is pretty darn awesome.

Also, since Mr. Brodeur beat the Blackhawks, the Canucks were able to move into a tie for fourth place in the West!

The Canucks won again on home ice! They beat Dallas 4-2 for their 10th consecutive win on home ice which sets a new record for the team. Psh, NHL.com doesn't seem to care about THAT record being broken, MARTY.

Kesler, Sundin, D. Sedin and BIG BEAR scored, but not in that order. Hooray!!

Ales Kotalik scored the game winning shoot out goal tonight! Too bad he plays for the Edmonton Oilers now.

Fundamentals time:
The game is best played with sticks on the ice


Is it possible for Danny Paille to have any other facial expression?
I hope not.

Good night.

To Recap Last Night and Preview Tonight

by Anne

I can't wait for the total freakout over new Facebook. As per usual, don't invite me to any "Anti-Facebook's New Layout" groups. I will decline your invitation because I feel there might be a few more issues in the world.

If everyone put half the effort into fighting world issues that they do into fighting Facebook's re-designs, the world would probably be a better place.

You're not going to delete your profile, calm the hell down.

Right, sports. Hockey and the like.

The Canucks beat the Kings last night. I only watched the 2nd half of the third period. Just enough time to watch the Canucks win 4-2. I hear it was a tad bit one sided in the first. And by that I mean the Canucks outshot the Kings 20-3. I'm kind of glad I missed most of this one. If its two teams I enjoy, I'd enjoy a close game.

Apparently Steven has a fractured bone in his face (cheekbone I heard? confirm/deny?). This must've happened during the Anaheim game which I did not watch. He was wearing a full face shield last night:

He did not figure into any of the Canucks scoring last night
:(

Henrik Sedin had two goals close together that broke a short lived tie and gave the Canucks their eighth win in a row on home ice. Yay!!! Henrik's 1st goal was the game winner and also the 100th goal of his career. Hooray!

Happy Sean O'Donnell Day!

Today Sean O'Donnell plays in his 1,000th NHL game. If you give a hoot, here's a link to the Kings' stuff about him.

He was part of the Ducks team that won the Cup in 2007 when they were my favorite Western Conference team, so he's made the journey from Anaheim to LA. That must be one of the easiest moves in the NHL. Except for maybe between the Islanders and Rangers.

He also happens to be rookie Drew Doughty's defensive partner (most of the time).

Congratulations Sean!

Sabres take on the Thrashers tonight without Cap'n Kovalchuk. No time for resting on our laurels, boys. Just because they don't have Kovy doesn't mean they don't have players who can score like... uhhhhh... Colby Armstrong? Ok, Bryan Little does have 29 goals this season, so look out for him.

I'm not thrilled about tonight's game. It spells disaster. A crappy team we should easily beat at home on a Saturday night usually spells disaster.

Also, I was looking at my list of top moments from this season and at this writing I only have six and some of them aren't even that great. I'm expecting some heroics down the stretch here. When is Petey going to score his annual goal?! Can Tallinder be in a shootout again this season?
Thomas, score four hat tricks again please?

This season has been boring. At least last season there was drama. Soupy's contract, the Winter Classic, Thomas Vanek's rebirth, Jochen Hecht and Dan Paille each scoring in the neighborhood of 20 goals each, it was way more fun last season. Even when they lost, there was more to talk about. If we miss the playoffs again, we'll just be one of those mediocre teams again with one great goal scorer, a great agitator and a great goaltender, just like most of my youth.

If they miss the playoffs again, can someone please be fired?

Conflicted

by Anne

If you've ever looked at this blog before, you are probably well aware of the fact that in addition to being a Sabres fan I have recently become Vancouver Canucks and LA Kings fan. These are the most recent teams to fall into my "Western Conference favorite" category. Just ask Calgary and Anaheim how easy it is to fall out of my good graces. Although, I still love Jarome Iginla more than almost any other hockey player.

The purpose of having other teams to cheer for is so that when the Sabres aren't playing I can still watch hockey with some kind of emotional investment. Of course its not nearly the same level of emotional involvement, but its better than watching Minnesota v. St. Louis or something horrifying like that.

I pick Western Conference teams to love for obvious reasons. If they're in the West, more than likely the outcome of their game will not affect the Sabres and therefore I need not be concerned about who they beat. Also, the likelihood that I'd have any kind of preconceived notion about this team was unlikely.

Enter the Vancouver Canucks. Our fellow members of the class of 1970. I picked them first because we traded Steve Bernier there ON MY BIRTHDAY NO LESS this past summer. Then, the more I watched the team, the more I actually grew quite fond of them all. Ryan Kesler, Shane O'Brien, Kevin Bieksa, Alex Burrows, just to name a few. Oh yeah and that bald Swedish dude from Toronto.

Then, as the days of free agency went on, I noticed a trade between Edmonton and LA that featured Mr. Rachel Hunter (aka Jarret Stoll). Jarret Stoll sounds a lot like "Jared Staal" and I got confused. But look! Also packaged with Mr. Stoll was Matt Greene, recently discovered "funny guy" from Team USA. Adam Burish made me love him, I had no choice. Blame him.

The Kings had also recently drafted Drew Doughty who, it seems, basically goes everywhere Matt Greene goes. Like, honestly. Every other photo gallery on Kings.com features the two of them together.

They have hilarious videos and the team in general seems to be a pretty fun group, with the exception of Denis "Thigh Neck" Gauthier. But, every team has their pain in the behind, so we accept him, but don't love him.

I love a good bromance

So why am I telling you all things you would know already if you've read this blog before?

Because tonight both of my Western Conference teams are playing each other and I can actually watch it.

The Sabres have already hosted both Vancouver and Los Angeles and both times the Sabres scored five goals and won. Although Big Bear scored against Ryan Miller and I was conflicted about that as well.

This, of course, is not the first time the Canucks have played the Kings this season, but its only the second. The first time was all the way back in October and I don't think I was able to watch it. Also, I hadn't really developed my unusual love of the Kings as a team by then.

The Canucks won that game 4-0. Yay! Boo! Weee! Nooo!

The other night it was decided that the ideal outcome of this game was an overtime win for the Kings. The Kings need the points more, but I want Vancouver to walk away with at least a point.

Since tomorrow I don't have class until almost 2:00, I can stay up and watch and hopefully not get too emotionally conflicted.

Yeesh.

"Ho-Hum" Is What I Say About That Loss

by Anne

I knew we were going to lose, but I guess if we had to lose, this was the best way to do it.

You'd think a team that just seven days ago was playing in Anaheim, and just last night was playing in Buffalo in the second of three games in four nights would be tired and roll over and die when down 2-0 on the road. Surprisingly, they did not. The game was up and down at times, and they allowed a LOT of shots to get through to Miller, but once again he stood tall in net and as usual gave them a chance to win it when down 2-0. They rallied but couldn't get it done in OT or the shootout.

The fatigue wasn't as apparent as the team seemed to really come alive as the game wore on. Unfortunately, it seemed the defense was showing its age when Weber was benched and Patches was back to playing on the blueline in the third after playing forward for the first two periods.

Adam Mair's goal was a hilariously easy tip-in, and really showed that the Sens have lost a lot on defense. Volchenkov was the only player who seemed to even notice Mairsy was on the ice, nevermind standing by himself in front of the goaltender. He could've done his and the coaching staff's taxes in the time it took the Sens to notice him standing there. And Ben Elliot was thinking about his picks for the Academy Awards and didn't notice him either.

Staffy's goal was more of what we've come to expect from him these days. Great passes by Pommer and Royzie and great hustle by Staffy to beat Elliot.

The shootout was meh, Al and Timmy scored, Staffy and Royzie did not. Miller allowed three goals, we only scored two, and that's all she wrote.

I'm more than a little nervous about Vanek's face. If he has a fractured bone in his face he'll have to miss some time or maybe wear one of those crazy cages.

It'll bring you back to your college days, TV

Hopefully its just a cut that required stitches and they were being extra cautious with our MVP.

I didn't appreciate Chris Neil wrenching Kaleta's neck around in an after the whistle goalmouth scrum, because he was more than likely aware that Kaleta had missed time for a neck injury. I challenge you to say that Chris Neil is not the kind of player who targets other players like that.

Although, he got his payback when he somehow got cut by Teppo's skate on a seemingly innocent hit. Teppo's skate got just high enough to catch Neil in the back of the leg and he rushed to the locker room as the second period was ending I don't like to celebrate a player being injured, but this does not seem to be a career threatening injury and his team doesn't have a snowball's chance in heck of making the playoffs so... HA!

After today, playoff spots 5-9 look like this:

5. Philly - 63
6. NYR - 63
7. Buffalo - 62
8. Carolina - 59
9. Florida - 58

Luke Schenn scored his first NHL goal! Hooray!

Nice face, Luke.
I couldn't one of him actually scoring or celebrating his goal, but hooray!! nevertheless

The Kings beat the Devils tonight and move into 11th place, only two points out of the 8th place playoff spot. Where did these Kings come from?

The Canucks beat the Blackhawks 7-3 and Big Bear scored his 12th of the season. He also had a team-high EIGHT shots on goal. The team as a whole only had 26 shots on goal, and the player with the 2nd most shots was Ryan Kesler who had two goals on three shots.

From Darcy Hordichuk's blog on the Canucks annual Dice and Ice night:

From what I hear, traditionally, rookies would have to do something on stage and this year was no different. Mason Raymond and Steve Bernier teamed up against Jannik Hansen and Alex Edler to re-enact a scene from Jerry Maguire - I don’t think I need to tell you which one… They each did the same scene and competed to see who would do the best.

The winner was decided by out had guest judges, Kevin Bieksa, Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows to critique kind of like Idol a little bit. For the most part, the judges were hard on those guys.

Bernier pulled it off even with his French accent, nobody understood but with Burrows being one of the judges, I’m sure there was some politics and favouritism. Mason came away with the Oscar performance, I think he kind of pulled it together for Bernier and they beat the other two.

I think these guys maybe stressed a little bit more than they had to over the six lines that they had to say and it just goes to show you that practice makes perfect. They practiced all afternoon and they pulled together at performance time.

Listen Darcy, don't knock Big Bear's Jerry Maguire performance! I'm sure it was BRILLIANT! HE'S NOT EVEN REALLY A ROOKIE, THEY PROBABLY JUST NEEDED A 4TH LIKE IN POKER.

Big Bear's Big Hair is back

All in all, earning five out of a possible six points is a great week. Can't really complain, especially because the two points are in Ottawa where they won't even be used.

There's No Hockey

by Anne

The All-Star Break comes every year, yet every year I'm surprised at this mini off-season we have. I came home from a movie tonight, and is my usual "I just got home for the night" routine, I was planning on checking the scores from the games that had already happened or were happening. I was CRUSHED when I realized there would be nary a score to check.

Sad times.

Adam and I saw Milk tonight. I'll give it 3 stars out of 4. It wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. There were sections of the movie I felt could have been condensed to make the film move at a smoother pace. The movie only covers eight years of Harvey Milk's life. I read one review that was like "an immense amount of time is condensed in this film" and I have to argue with that assessment. It was only eight years. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a slightly longer movie but covers many more decades than Milk. I came home and Googled Harvey Milk and found there were some interesting facts and incidents that were left out of the film. All in all the movie was interesting and engaging and Sean Penn and Josh Brolin gave well-crafted performances. I don't want to reveal anything about the plot, but both of these characters could have easily fallen into caricatures. I don't know how accurate they are at representing the real people, but their performances were great. This movie won't win Best Picture, and if it does, I think it'll be more about people supporting the issues it touches upon than the quality of the film itself. I'd recommend seeing it, especially so you can judge for yourself when the Academy Awards air next month. It depends on the person of course, but I'd still suggest if you had to see either Slumdog Millionaire or Milk, I'd say see Slumdog first.

So this guy who just started a blog asked me to do a write-up about the Sabres for this series of posts he's doing about each team. I happily obliged. However, talking about why you should cheer for a team is very difficult whan said team has decayed on ice the night before. Except Derek Roy. I should've just written the entire post about Derek Roy. Fortunately, I started the post during the day before the Lightning game so I had a head start on the good stuff. I didn't write anything that most Sabres fans don't already know, so its nothing too earth shattering. When he posts it I'll post a link to his blog so y'all can read it if ya want.

Alix has told me that Steve Bernier will be in Hawaii this All-Star break. :( Get tan, Big Bear! Don't get eaten by a shark, San Jose or otherwise!

This post brought to you by milk and honey hockey.
quite a tie

Mats Who?

by Anne

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I tuned in for tonight's Canucks v. Oilers game to watch Mr. Sundin, of course. Mats had 15:02 in ice time but 0 shots, 0 points, 0 anything. Its ok, it was his first game. In the third period he knocked an Oiler straight to the ground with one hand. The rest of the Canucks are so young that he did look a little elderly out there, but he'll get more spry as the season goes along. Aw, Mats. Hahahaha.

Mats, I've hated you for so long, it's going to take some time for me to embrace you on my Western team.
But I will try.
Promise.

HOWEVER. The story of the game was not Mr. Sundin, it was Mr. Bernier & his scrappy little fourth linemates. Steven scored 2 goals in the 2nd period, 12 seconds apart. Both goals were the results of Big Bear being the recipient of some amazing passes from his linemates. Burrows scored the first goal, assisted by Kesler and Big Bear. Then Big Bear scored the other two, one assisted by both Burr and Kes, and then the game-winning goal on an assist from just Burr. Yay!! He was THIS freakin' close to a hat trick, I almost had a heart attack. It hit the inside of the post before being squeezed out. Grrr!

I had hoped playing with Big Baldy (as Alix calls him) would help Big Bear, and it did, sort of. They didn't play on the same line, but Big Bear's play certainly improved tonight. Woo!

YAHHHH!
WHO'S THE FIRST STAR TONIGHT?!?
YOU ARE, BIG BEAR!

Yay!

Healin' Up

by Anne

Cap'n Craigory will be returning to the line-up Tuesday!!!

However, Teppo is under the weather. Therefore, Chris Butler will probably stay up for at least until Teppo is healthy again. I think a Butler/Rivet tandem would work just fine or perhaps a Rivet/Tallinder and a Lydman/Butler quartet. Spacek and Sekera seem to be our most consistent pairing so I don't forsee Lindy breaking up the duo.

Timmy (Connolly, remember him?) might actually be back for a game or two by this weekend. Is it wrong that I just don't care? I mean, Timmy is an extremely talented player, but we all know he's going to last in the neighborhood of 2-5 games before something else happens to him and we find ourselves once again without his services. Its good to see him getting better but its just more of the same.

In "The Biggest Story To Ever Happen To The World Since Sidney Crosby Sprained His Ankle" news, Mats Sundin will probably be joining the Canucks to play the Oilers on Wednesday or possibly on Friday against the Blues. There's no word yet as to who his linemates will be, but for my own selfish love of Big Bear, I hope Bernier gets a shot with him centering his line. Its been documented by many that players who play with Sundin simply play better. Big Bear needs a boost. He's on pace for a career high in points, but that career high isn't phenomnal.

Speaking of Steve Bernier, thank you to all of you who sent me the link to this feature. I perused it several times and enjoyed it immensely. My favorite part is that throughout the feature its mentioned multiple times that he's kind of chubby and slow... and he's a professional athlete. Those do not generally seem to be character traits that go to other very often.

His little helmet says "Steve" and not "Big Bear"
What?!


Check out that mascot.
Good thing Stevie is all the way on the left in the 2nd row.
What a cutie.

Sunday Stuff

by Anne

I hate J.P. Losman. I spit on his mother *pa-tooey*

When did I become an old sicilian granny?


Anyway, on to more important things in the hockey world:

The Blackhawks WHUPPED the Coyotes, winning 7-1. Sharpie scored his 16th of the season. Woooo!! He's so unassumingly awesome. All he has to do is unassumingly kick someone's butt in a fight and he'll have found the upper eschelons of my hockey esteem. This is a feet rarely attained but Jochen Hecht has just found is way up there after fighting Vinny Lecavalier. That was completely badass.

The Rangers out shot the Flames 31-20 last night (including a 12-2 shot advantage in the 2nd) and lost 3-0. HA! Iggy scored the game winner!!! But, seriously TWO SHOTS in the 2nd? Yeesh. Nine different Flames had a point in this game. When only 3 goals are scored, that's pretty good. The Rangers also gave up yet another short handed goal. I'm not sure where they rank in the league in allowing short handed goals, but it seems to me that happens to them frequently.

BIG BEAR SCORED HIS 6TH AND 7TH GOALS OF THE SEASON! WOOOO!!! Then the Canucks lost in the shoot out :( OMG Big Bear had SUCH an amazing chance to score in OT, it hit the post and Budaj couldn't find it for a second. :( Ugh, poor baby Schneider was completely overwhelmed for the shootout. The Avalanche have some good shooters but he was 0 for 3. Its ok, you'll work on it. I have a feeling AV will be running a few shootout drills in practice this week for the benefit of Cory.

Dear Canucks.com,

Big Bear scored 2 goals and there was not a single shot of him. This displeases me. :(

Love,
Anne

Getzy had 2 goals in the 2nd period in the Ducks 5-3 win over the Blue Jackets. Wooo!

Sabres:

I'm not optimistic about tonight's game. Yes, we won the other night and that was wicked sweet. BUT, that was the Tampa Bay Lightning and this is the Pittsburgh Penguins. Nathan Gerbe did well and the team played well but Sidney Crosby is still Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin is still the ugliest son of a B I've ever had the misfortune of laying my eyes on who also happens to be a phenomenal hockey player.

Basically, I'm pretty confident we'll be walking away from this one on the losing end. This isn't even the "I'm secretly optimistic but trying to sound pessimistic" Anne, this is "we're legit going to lose" Anne. Fleury is out but meh, Sabourin is still good. The fact that I know their backup's name tells you something about him. :-/

Dear Nathan Gerbe,

Even if we lose, I'd really like it if you'd score a goal, that'd be pretty spectacular. :)

Love,
Anne

Oh yeah and this was really nice to find when I opened NHL.com this morning:

:)

Its part of the Morning Skate, but a story about Gerbe kicks things off.

An excerpt:

Will the 5-foot-5 Gerbe stick in Buffalo? Time will tell. But should he ever return to Portland, he'll have a phenomenal story to share. As he arrived on the ice in Tampa for Saturday's morning skate, his teammates began tapping their sticks. It was a welcoming the rookie center never will forget.

"It's something I'm going to really remember and take it all in when I step on that ice," Gerbe told The Buffalo News. "It's something I really want to remember for the rest of my life, playing my first NHL game. I've been looking forward to this dream since I was 10 years old, so finally it comes through, and I'm just pretty happy to be here."

Everyone's been excited about him for months, you have to think the players are excited to see what he can do. Yay! Love.

Not hockey:

I had an exam this morning at 7:40. I was back in my kitchen at 9:23. Take THAT higher education. I feel confident about it too. It was three questions about 2 books I'd actually read and I had the books with me at the time. Awesome.

Current song I can't stop listening too: Single Ladies - Beyonce

Mmmmmmm

by Anne

After my one and only class today, I decided to take up some pie baking. I didn't take pictures during the process because 1. my hands were covered in pie making ingredients and 2. I was teaching a 10 year old and an 11 year old how to bake.

Anyway, my Aunt recently moved to Florida to live in some wacky all-inclusive they drive around golf carts kind of retirement community and ALAS she will not be bringing her pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving. Me being the domestic diva that I am, offered to make it. Some how, some way Mom allowed me to make my own pie crust. Like, from scratch. I'd say if my Mom has made 100 pies in my life, 97 of them have been completely from scratch. That's how we do it in this house. Anyway, I decided I didn't feel like doing it myself, so I kidnapped my other aunt's kids and made them help.

One made the pumpkin pie filling (we conceded defeat and bought canned pumpkin, but mixed the spices in ourselves) and one rolled out the crust, then they switched. Our pie crust recipe makes enough for either 1 pie with a top crust or 2 bottom crust only pies. Therefore, we made 2 pies. Pumpkin (personally, my least favorite) and pecan (my absolute favorite).

Oscar decided to jump up and investigate.

Mmmmmmmmm. On Thursday we make the fresh whipped cream.
MARTHA STEWART, EAT YOUR HEART OUT.

Anyway, Big Bear has sustained a bruised shoulder and also a bruised toe. :( He's day to day, but probably won't be out for too long. Provided the injury isn't more serious and they just don't realize it yet, I bet he's back for the game against the Blue Jackets or the next one against the Red Wings.

Sigh, ok so after watching video of his injury, its kind of not totally Brett Lebda's fault that Stevie Bear was hurt. He hit the net and started to fall as he was coming in to check Lebda. Ok, so its technically not Brett Lebda's fault that Big Bear is hurt, but morally, I still blame him.

Back to this blog's name sake team:

I just feel like something's got to give on the Sabres' roster. If Mancari can keep playing the way the played this weekend on at least a semi-regular basis, on what grounds can we justify keeping him out of the line-up and Max and Staffy in? He does their job only Marky Mark does it BETTER. The only nod to Staffy is, of course, experience. He's got ten times the games Mark does, BUT, at the moment only 1 more goal this season.

Big Bear needs some TLC

; )