Who'd Have Thought?

by Anne

I can't access Twitter or Facebook on my work computer but I can update my much-neglected little bloggaroo.

So it seems I've started a new job. Six months of unemployment was plenty, thankyouverymuch. We're fresh into week two right now and no end in sight. I'm temping in downtown Buffalo and it is LAUGH A MINUTE FUN. While this job might be wicked boring, at least it gives me time to update this. AND, if Iwork down here, which is right around the corner from the office I was working in when I started this precious little blog's predecessor, I will be a mere hop, skip, and a jump from HSBC Arena come fall. As it's not likely I'll still be working here then, I won't get my hopes up too high.

It's amazing how my playoff frenzied fervor immediately disappears when each and every team I have actual emotional attachment to is eliminated. First we said good-bye to the Los Angeles Kings, who lost in un-ceremonious overtime fashion at the hands of one Cap'n Joe Thornton. Then we bid adieu to the Buffalo Sabres who, it seems, could not recover from their back-breaking game 6 loss to Danny Briere and Pseudo-Pronger. Then the Penguins, who made it farther than anyone would've predicted without their two-headed scoring monster, were ousted by the bandwaggonable Tampa Bay Lightning.

The second round has almost entirely passed me by. Whoops. During the Bruins/Flyers series, I wasn't so much rooting for the Bruins as I was cheering against the Flyers... and a little bit for TimTom. Because, COME ON. It's Tim Thomas. How can you not love Tim Thomas? He CRAZY. And to think the Bruins almost parted ways with the crochety old net-minder last off-season.

It's hard for me to give a hoot about the Western Conference. The only team I actually WANT to win, is the Predators. However, if the Canucks defeat them, I won't exactly weep into my bowl of Special K the next morning.

The truth is, the reason I don't want the Canucks to win it all has nothing to do with the team or their fans or their city. The real reason is because I hate for the list of  "never won"s to get even shorter and my precious little Sabres and Kings are still sitting there, waiting for their turn to eat Special K out of Lord Stanley's cereal bowl.

Alas, if the Canucks win it all, I shall be happy for them and their fans. Totally jealous of course, but happy none the less.

Behbeh Alex Burrows thanks you for your time.



Friday night

by Anne

Sometimes there are days that both the Sabres and Kings play. When those days are followed by mornings when I don't have to get up early, I love them. The Sabres will usually play sometime between 7-10 and then the Kings will start around 10 (usually). When they both with it's AWESOME. When they both lose it is decidedly less so. However, a split evening is still less than stellar.

As you all know, the Sabres decided to win somewhat handily over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Kings were... less successful.

There are many nights when I curse my inability to stay awake for an entire Kings' game. Apparently I missed out on quite a stinker of a game, as the Kings lost 3-0 to the Chicago Blackhawks who have like four defensemen. 

It always sucks when your team loses but not much sucks more than being shutout on home ice. Ouch. Not good, boys.

I can't comment much on anything past the first period because I was in dreamland dreaming about my car being stolen. That was weird.

My previously DOMINANT fantasy team has been far less dominant this week. I have exactly zero points from my defensemen which is impressive considering I have Doughty, Kaberle, Lidstrom and Streit among others on my blue line.

Just over a week till I'm in Nashville to see the Kings! No one get hurt or suspended between now and then, ok? Yay!

Wooo! I'm the best teacher EVARRRR!

by Anne

Ok, that might be an exaggeration.

However, I taught my first couple of lessons to some real honest-to-goodness students at a local middle school. Did the lessons go well? Yeah, kind of. Was I happy about them? Yeah, kind of. It was a good start I think and helped me to see what I need to work on.

Anyway, having gotten that under my belt, I feel capable of fully enjoying tonight's games knowing that I worked hard today... all while writing my lesson plan for Monday's classes. I like the teacher I'm working with. She's giving me lots of opportunity to teach the same lesson multiple times which is really the best way you learn how to teach effectively: trial and error.

I'm watching a replay of Raffi Torres be tripped by Matt Walker(?) and two thoughts come to mind. The first, of course, is this:

But that is beside the point.

The second is this: "Awesome, yet another totally ineffective #17." However, unlike the trade for Dominic Moore in which we (indirectly) traded Ales Kotalik to obtain a pick for Moore, we didn't really give up much for Torres. Think about it: we got a player who actually has scored some goals for NATHAN PAETSCH. As much as I tolerated Paetsch's existence, he was about 7/10ths useless and was occasionally handy if someone broke their leg in the pre-game warmups. The purchase wasn't all that exciting but it was a great price so I'll take it. Maybe I can use it later for something.

Anyway, the Sabres won 6-2! It was 4-0 for most of the second and into the third. However, the Bolts scored twice to make it a 4-2 game by pulling Nittymaki while on the power play with three minutes left in the game. The tactic worked once to get them their second goal so they tried it again; however, this time Vanek managed somehow to score in an EMPTY NET. Wow. Looky there Thomas! A puck in the back of the net! And YOU put it there! Hooray! Confidence, you has it.

The more exciting news is that Pommer got himself a hat trick!

As Rick said, Pominville welcomed triplets! With hats!

Yay Pommer!

Twenty minutes until the Kings take on the Blackhawks who have like three defensemen these days. Don't hurt them, I don't want any of you to be suspended... Greener...

Monday Night Hockey/Record Intact!

by Anne

This Sabres Wednesday - Friday - Saturday schedule, while mostly annoying, is at least helpful in keeping track of when the Sabres play  this month.

Monday is not one of the days listed above, therefore, the Sabres did not play tonight. However, the Kings did.

The Kings played the Florida Panthers in Florida tonight in a very back and forth game. The first period was close and scoreless and the second started much the same until the Pussycats potted two fairly quick goals to make the game 2-0. The Los Angeles Kings, more experienced this season and less prone to panic, kept their wits about them. Wayne Simmonds decided to help things out the best way he knows how. Beating the crap out of someone:

Simmer (as he punches): WHAT. KIND. OF. NAME. IS. KENNDAL. ANYWAY?

Ok, the fight was fairly even actually, but I'm giving Simmer the edge on this one. Not long after, Jack Johnson or JJ3 or JMFJ as he has been known (the first only by me) scored. Jarret Stoll made it 2-2 and Randy Jones, filling in for The Piece who is out with injury, scored a shorty to give the Kings their first lead of the game.

Then a fustercluck (TM Amy at Shots Off the Crossbar) of activity in front of Quickie Monster gave the Panthers the equalizer. Quickie lost his stick and in the scrum a Panther shot his stick into the corner. Yes, it was definitely deliberate. Isn't that some kind of penalty? Ugh.

Anyway, nothing doing in OT so it headed to a shootout, the Kings' fourth of the season. The first two came against the San Jose Sharks and the Vancouver Canucks. The Kings lost both 2-1. The other was Saturday night in Tampa and the Kings won 2-1. Tonight, the Jon Quick was 3 for 3 and Jack Johnson scored in the shootout to give the Kings the win!

They finish this five game road trip 3-2. We are never speaking of that Thrashers game again.

The Kings next game is Wednesday night home against the Flyers. Ewww. Hopefully Mr. Jones can play against his former team. He's been pretty solid thusfar. I don't know if Scuds will be back by then.

Elsewhere:

The New Jersey Devils were vying for their 10th straight road victory to start the season, in an attempt to match the record set by our very own Buffalo Sabres in 2006. They faced the Phlyers. This is the only time in my life I have ever wanted to see Ray Emery win at anything. The Flyers won and the Sabres record still stands as their own. Woo!

Danny Paille scored his second of the year as the Bruins lost to the surprisingly not-terrible New York Islanders. I didn't say they were good, I just said they were not-terrible. They're quite like the 2008-2009 Los Angeles Kings. Not good, but not as bad as people were anticipating. Lots of youth, lots and lots of talent and a few veterans like Weight and Streit. They need more pieces, obviously, but the Islanders are treading water respectably.

Mouth open.

Perfect

I hate those yellow socks.

Vinny Lecavalier, a prominent Sunny Hedgehog Enchanter, remembered that he's really good at hockey and had himself a three point night (2+1) and was a +3 in the 4-1 win over the Coyotes. Fortunately, Vinny's Enchanters teammate Ilya Bryzgalov was not in goal.

Marty scored like that

Vinny helped

Tuesday night none of my teams play. Alas.

Lastly, enjoy this unmitigated FAIL from ESPN.com:

Oh ESPN.

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!

Tyler Myers makes my heart happy

by Anne

I was having kind of a blah day in this yucky weather in Buffalo. I had two shows today so I couldn't watch the Sabres game. :( Periodically checking the score on my phone isn't quite the same as watching it. I was mostly OK with how the game was going until the shootout when my heart burst into song. JBG scored the game winning goal in the shootout!! Stafford and Grier scored in regulation.

:) :) :) :)

Absolutely no freaking way he gets sent back to Kelowna now. Only watch this if you think your heart can take the bursting:

Elsewhere because EVERYONE PLAYED ON SATURDAY:

• Pens lost :(

This picture sums up the game: KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PUCK

• Kings won! 5-3 over the Coyotes. This game proved that Ilya Bryzgalov is fallible, but still awesome.

Scott Parse was called up to play in his first NHL game

he registered an assist!

Good job, Parse!

• Canucks won and the Maple Leafs remain win-less. Yeesh. It's really no longer funny. Now it's just sad sad sad.

Normally I frown upon Schenner being beaten up but Glasser has some crazyface goin' on here

• The Maple Leafs are so sad that I decided to drop Phil Kessel from my fantasy team. I got Kevin Bieksa in exchange. I think that's fair considering I need PIM and the other team needs goal scoring
  

• Pie got an assist again and the Bruins won :)

 Yay!

Heyyyy there, Hedman

by Anne

I was trying to find a picture of Tim Connolly with hair to show my mom. Then I found this picture and Tim Connolly became the furthest thing from my mind:

Ladies and gentlemen (but mostly ladies)
I present to you our most popular search terms.
Shirtless hockey players.
Victor Hedman shirtless.
En.Joy.
Sorry ladies, he already has a gal.
However, he can still be some tasty eye candy
So he's only like 18,
But as Peg and I say:
A good looking man is a good looking man.

Draft Lottery Day!

by Anne

Today's the day we find out if the Islanders' tank of a horrible season was worth it and they are able to pick first overall in this year's NHL Entry Draft.

The top (bottom?) five worst records in the league are eligible to be included in the lottery to pick first. Those teams are:

New York Islanders 61 pts, 48.1% chance (of getting #1)
Tampa Bay Lighting 66 pts 18.8% chance
Colorado Avalanche 69 pts 14.2% chance
Atlanta Thrashers 76 pts 10.7% chance
Los Angeles Kings 79 pts 8.1% chance

Woooo Kings!

TSN predicts that, if everything stays as is, the Sabres will pick #13 and will choose defenseman Ryan Ellis, not to be confused with Matt Ellis or Tyler Ennis.

Also, I don't care where he goes, I just can't wait to see an NHL jersey with the last name Svensson-Paajarvi squeezed onto the back. TSN has him going 7th overall which in the order teams finished would be Toronto.

The Draft Lottery is at 8pm and will be on TSN and streamed on NHL.com.

For the record, the Sabres have a 1.5% chance of being picked in the lottery and the highest they can move up is to spot #9 which TSN declares is center Scott Glennie.

I, for one, think it would be beyond awesome for the Islanders NOT to get the first pick, just because it would be hilarious for them to have such an awful season and not get #1. Although Hedman is pretty awesome as well so #2 or #1 are both good.

I just hope that Tampa doesn't get #1. Poor John Tavares will be all Stamkos v. 2.0 and everyone will be scratching their heads wondering why he was picked first overall because he was rushed into the situation with an awful team.

Injuries and Lightning

by Anne

I hate missing Sabres games. I really hate watching highlights and not getting to watch the game as it happens or recorded in its entirety. Unfortunately I will have to miss tonight's game against the Lightning because I will be at the arena, shilling popcorn to hardcore Disney/figure skating fans. Oh goody. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll be able to set up near a TV and watch some of the game. Hopefully.

I haven't talked about the Pirates recently because the news isn't good. Everyone on the team is hurt. Maine Hockey Journal has a good rundown, but here's the Reader's Digest version:

Mike Funk (concussion, again)
Adam Dennis (hip, requiring surgery)
Colin Murphy (concussion)
Paul Baier (jaw)
Mike Weber (knee)
Nathan Gerbe (flu)

To top it all off, Tim Kennedy took a stick to the mouth the other day, and lost several teeth. He has to miss the All-Star Game because he'll require additional surgery to repair the damage. The attacking player swung the stick at TK's head like a baseball bat. No word from the AHL on any kind of fine or suspension. The biggest irony of all of this? The attacking player's name is Gauthier and he's part of the LA Kings franchise. For those uncertain of what I'm talking about, Pat Kaleta, Dec. 19th game, sucker punch. Wow. At least Gerbe is back from the cold or flu or whatevs and will be back in the line-up when the Pirates take on the Lowell Devils tonight in Lowell, NJ.

Feel better boys!

I wonder what his new teeth will look like? :(

Rivet was cut on his face during practice today, but appears to be OK to go for tonight.

Wouldn't another TV hat trick be great tonight? He had 2 against Tampa last year, and as this is our last time facing them until next season, it would be lovely if he could send them packing with another hatter? However, this is the perfect kind of game for the Sabres to lose. A total momentum killer after beating closer opponents right before the All-Star Break. A win tonight means lots of confidence for the second half. A loss? More questions we don't want to ask or answer.

The Lightning play well with an early lead, but are not good at rallying, so its really important for the Sabres to jump out to an early lead and control this game from the puck drop. We all know how terrible the Lightning are, and the Sabres have had a lot of success against them in recent seasons, so here's hoping for good things to continue.

Don't beat us, please?

Thank GOD

by Anne

Phew. What a relief.

I'm tired so I will write a handy dandy bulleted list for the Sabres:

• Gerbe and Staffy each had 4 shots on goal

• Staffy had 3 points(1+2)

• Staffy played by far his best game of the season. The Pittsburgh game was previously his best, but this one has taken its place

• For some reason on the Boxscore, Gerbe is listed first even though its organized by number and he wore 42...?

• Jochen Hecht fought Vinny Lecavalier and kind of won

• If you watch the video, you can see Steve Downie mouth "help me" to a ref when he and Adam Mair were do-si-doing in their fight. In his defense, Mairsy was pummeling him (HA!)

• Andrej Sekera was fired for a few minutes when his stick deflected the puck just enough so Millsy's glove was like 2 inches too low to stop it but would've been fine if his stick weren't there

• Watching Goose, Hank and Staffy smash Gerbe into the glass in celebration was awesome

• Goose also gave Gerbe lots of pats on the head in the post game lovefest

• Miller looked good most of the night

• Our power play didn't muster a single shot on goal for at least the first two power plays, but possibly longer, I basically stopped watching when we had the man advantage

• Gerbe had an awesome no-look backhand shot on net that Mike Smith was not prepared for and almost bounced over his pad and in

• MK and I were bored so we made a Nathan Gerbe Mii on Wii. There's also a Lindy one

• Because MK declared Staffy looks like a brontosaurus, she's decided to take the nickname one step further and call him "Littlefoot" I could not approve of this nick name more

• Vanek and Jeff Carter are still duking it out for the goal scoring lead

• Our penalty kill was perfect again and improves the streak to 24 PKs with no goals allowed

• Danny Paille and Paul Ranger should consider a career in pairs figure skating:

Lovely synchronization, boys
Just work out the stick placement and you'll be pulling down 10s

Around the NHL:

• Sharpie scored his team-leading 15th goal of the season in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Red Wings :/

• J.P. Dumont scored the lone goal in Nashville's 1-0 win over the Wild

• Greener had no points but had over 24 minutes of ice time. It seems to be creeping up as the season goes along. Yay!! The Kings beat the Blue Jackets 3-0

• I love it when two of my WCBs are photographed slamming each other into the boards:

Aw, for me?
You shouldn't have.

• Ethan Moreau is the first hockey player I've ever seen who does not answer "chicken and pasta" or "chicken and rice" or really pasta of any kind as their pre-game meal:

If you can't read it, it syas "Fish and salad. That's about it."

A good win for the Sabres, and the Pirates won as well, 5-2. Colton Fretter had a hat trick?!? Wooo! Funk was hurt after being hit from behind by the Devils' Salmonella Poisoning. Oy, the boy just got over a concussion too. Jhonas Enroth stopped 31 of 33 and improved to 8-2-2.

I really like writing posts when both of our teams win.

Barry Melrose FIRED

by Anne

I think we all saw this coming.

THANKS A LOT

by Anne

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

A WIN WOULD'VE BEEN MUCH APPRECIATED.

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

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

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

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

BLAH.

More Shenanigans While I Should be Reading and Writing Papers

by Anne

Now the Lightning are interested in Mats' services. There is like no way the 'Bolts are under the cap. There have to be at least like 27 forwards and 12 defenseman, and probably like 5 or 6 goalies with NHL contracts by now.

This could spell disaster. It seems that his return hinges on Halpie being unable to come back from the knee injury he sustained during the World Championships. Ok, so that's well and good, but I can't imagine the problems it would create if Halpie becomes healthy btu can't come back because too much of the cap is eaten up by the Swede and there's no room for his salary. This could create issues. Are they implying that Montreal is a new team that's interested? Because they only named Tampa Bay as a new team. Montreal's been interested for a while. Oh please God, don't let the Sabres get mixed up in these shenanigans in ANYWAY. Do not agree to deal with a team that has to get rid of players to make room for Mats. I don't want the Buffalo Sabres to help Mats Sundin in ANY WAY, DARCY.

I can't imagine Mats Sundin would go to Tampa Bay. If Mats comes back I see him heading to the Rangers or the Habs. Not Toronto and most certainly not Tampa Bay. He wants a legitimate contender, and the 'Bolts are too much of a wild card at this point. They could completely dominate or completely fall apart. There's a lot of talent, but talent is no substitute for chemistry and a strong system (thank you, Jason Pominville) and with Barry Melrose just returning to the bench for the first time in the "new" NHL, this could be a huge disaster. He's been analyzing the new NHL, but talking and doing are two completely different things.

Wait, didn't I say I wasn't going to talk about Mats Sundin anymore? SHOOT.

Let's talk about something a little more pleasant, like this hilariously awkward-not-remotely-hot-shirtless picture of Ryan Malone:

Is this posed?
Is this a look someone was going for?
Does he know he's making that face?
Personally I love the "Cram the white man fro into a baseball cap and ignore the way it muffin tops out the sides" look.

I've been increasingly distracted by dreamy pictures of Trent Edwards, leading me to wonder...

Is Trent Edwards the athlete in Buffalo whose bones I would jump on sight?

For the last, let's say... 2 years-ish, its alternated between Drew Stafford and (mostly) Paul Gaustad.

Let's compare:



v.





Sabres' Advantage: Goose

Now, let's compare Trent and Paul:



v.



Ok, maybe that picture of Paul Gaustad wasn't the best choice, let's try that again:




He he he

I'm still torn, but whatever Goose was drinking and/or taking when that picture was taken, I would like some for those gloomy post-loss days.

I guess the only thing left to do is stalk both of them for the duration of the Bills' season and see how things pan out for our "relationships".

Can Trent Edwards be my #5 favorite Sabre? And can Jason Pominville also be my favorite Buffalo Bill? Let's throw things at the wall of Buffalo Sports teams and see what sticks.

FYI, please search for "Paul Gaustad" "camp good days" (with quotations) and like 80% of the image results are from this blog, hahaha.

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.

Wednesday is Today

by Anne

My glasses broke this morning. I think I fixed them, but who knows how long my "repair job" will hold. Basically the metal piece broke away from its plastic moulding so I basically smushed them back together. Move over, Maytag repair man "Anne's smush it back together and hope for the best" school of repairs is sweeping the nation.

Would someone PLEASE sit the new owners of the Lightning down and tell them to STOP signing players?!? They signed like 20 new players this offseason and they dealt one very promising young top 4 defenseman and a utility 6 or 7 defenseman AND a first round pick to the Ottawa Senators for Andrej Meszaros? Granted the first round pick was originally San Jose's so it'll probably be a 24+ pick but its still a first round pick. THEN they turned around and inked him to a 6 year deal. These men are CRAZY. They spent all summer signing forwards, so to address their need for defensemen they traded 2 defenseman for 1? Yes. This seems logical to me: address depth issues by getting rid of players. Capital idea.

In a shock to exactly NO ONE the Preds have suspended Radulov. Dude violated his contract to sign with Russia and was all like "Thanks Nashville for letting me sign with the KHL" and Nashville was all "Uhhh we didn't say you could do that, you best be comin' back next season or yous in deep doo doo." and Radulov was like "Peace out, Girl Scout." So tot he disappointment of Nashville fans, Radulov did NOT have a change of heart and is still a giant douchebag. Good. Riddance. I still say the Predators should be compensated in some way.

A WORD OF WARNING TO NON-HABS FANS:

I hope you're all battening down the hatches in preparation for the ONSLAUGHT of "YAY MONTREAL!" we're going to experience as the Habs celebrate 100 years of themselves. We all know how incredibly obnoxious highly devoted Habs fans are, and with their new goalie and some new talent coming in, just brace yourselves to be "Ole"d until you can't be "Ole"d anymore.
They're hosting the All-Star Game, the entry draft AND retiring Patrick Roy's number 33. The only thing they're NOT hosting are the Winter Classic and Jason Pominville's birthday party.

That is all. Class this morning then lots and lots o reading, as usual. Project Runway tonight!!! Woooo! Leanne is mah girl, just FYI.

Have a good one.

World Juniors already?!?

by Anne

Our very own Tyler Myers has been selected (along with 43 of his closest Canadian friends) to participate in Hockey Canada's National Junior Team Development camp. The World Juniors are a major BFD in Canada, way more so than in the United States. Frankly, most people in the United States, even hockey fans, don't really know what the World Juniors is. I've never actually watched any of the tournaments. All I know is Staffy was on the Team USA that won gold for the first time ever in 2004 and Paille was once captain of Team Canada which is pretty darn cool and Paetsch and Roy I think both played for Team Canada. I'm sure other players did as well but I just don't know who or when.

They aren't officially trying out for the team, they're just being evaluated so the coaches etc. will be able to pick the team having seen the players up close and personal on the ice, running their drills.

In this camp they completely divide the players into 2 teams, Red and White. These teams will never interact with each other, they stay at the same hotel but on different floors and will eat at different locations to avoid mingling together.

Yay!

"You watch the World Juniors every year at Christmas time and as I started getting older I started seeing guys out there that I knew," defenseman Tyler Myers, who went to the Buffalo Sabres with the 12th pick at this year's draft, told NHL.com. "To get an opportunity to come to this camp is very exciting."

Woohoo! I hope they pick you for the team!

I hope Tyler doesn't get worn out by these intense camps being so close together. Eh, he's young, I'm sure he'll be fine. Is he going back to Kelowna next season? Portland? Probably Kelowna. Woo!

Why is Tampa Bay's prospect camp being held in Victoria, B.C.? Is that a normal occurrence to have your camp really far from home or is it not? The only prospect camp I've ever been to was last month up at Niagara University, so I can't speak with any authority on the matter.

Anyhoot, going to GardenWalk today, then MK comes home from Chicago and we're having a partay this afternoon at her boyfriend's house. Word up. Have a good Sunday!

You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me

by Anne

Vinny Lecavalier signed a freakin' joke of an extension today. It was so ridiculous that when I woke up from my nap just now, I honestly thought I was still sleeping.

The owners of the Bolts have got to be out of their ever-loving minds. I understand that Vinny is an excellent player, there's no question about his deserving of a contract to reflect those talents. However, I'm sure that this is not the right move. ELEVEN YEARS? Not that many players make it to 39 in the NHL. To assume that he will is foolish. They say that its ok because it tapers off toward the end, should he decide to retire. Well, ain't that grand? Contracts like this are what's going to send us into another lockout.

These owners will either go down in history as the men who made the Bolts dynasty or go down in history as the biggest disaster in major professional sports. How can they possibly be under the cap at this point? If they are, they are financial geniuses.

I get the feeling Jay Feaster is a reasonable man and couldn't endorse this deal, among others, so he left the organization.

Why yes, I am crabby after my nap, why do you ask?

Sometimes I post like 10 times a day

by Anne

Top things that are annoying as all get out:

1. Pink Sabres Jerseys that are NOT in support of Breast Cancer research

Ew.

2. Jaromir Jagr's landing strip facial hair WITHOUT the mullet. Separately they're gross, but TOGETHER?!?! I'd still hate Jagsie but I'd LOVE to see that combo. BTW, did you know that he's currently the wealthiest player (in terms of career earnings, not including endorsements) playing in the NHL right now? He's got over $90 million in career earnings at this point.

HOTTNESS.

3. When you screw up your coffee order and accidentally say "2 cream 1 sugar" when you really mean "1 cream, 2 sugar" (write that down, when this blog makes it BIG and one of you is my personal assistant... I prefer french roast).

I want one.

4. When you can't remember a password to an account you rarely check and you try every conceivable password and username combination you've ever used since 1996 and STILL can't remember it so they email it to you, but you have 3 email addresses and you don't know which one you registered with, and then sometimes those systems kick you off for a day if you try an incorrect password 5 times and then 10 minutes later you remember your password.

Clearly, not me, I'm not that calm when I forget a password

5. When people will NOT SHUT UP about calling Sidney Crosby a diver (yo, dude had PLENTY of nasty hits that were NOT called and he didn't whine about it, leave him alone)

Awww, look how cute he is!
And kind of doable as well.

6. When you save something in the wrong folder in a directory and your computer doesn't have that "recently edited documents" section on the file menu because you use software that doesn't use Microsoft Word's storage space and you have to go searching through the computer to realize that you inverted the file number and it goes in "07-1066" not "06-1077" and you spend serious time contemplating your potential dyslexia.

Not my actual computer screen

7. When Darcy makes apparently good draft choices and smart off-season moves and Bills tickets are selling like hotcakes and people in Buffalo STILL can find something to complain about. I, for one, would like to see Max go and TimmyHO stay. I don't know what it is about TimmyTims but I'd really like to give him another chance. Then, if he doesn't produce, dump him like a scummy blind date who doesn't even OFFER to pay and you even wore your expensive push up bra for this guy... which, ironically, might actually be what its like to go on a date with Tim Connolly.

Oh yes, that IS Darcy Regier

This dude has HIS tickets, DO YOU?!?!

8. Barry Melrose being the coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. I'm not sure why this irritates me so much, but it just reeks of a wacky publicity stunt by the Bolts new owners. They have Stamkos, and now they have Melrose. I know he had a good run with the Kings in the early 1990s and, as a commentator, he's still aware of the pulse of the new NHL, but it just seems like if Barry was still interested in coaching, he'd BE coaching somewhere, not sitting in a studio. That's probably an unfair judgment seeing as how I don' t know the man. Maybe its just because I'm used to the studio version of Barry Melrose, but I can't see this being a great idea. It just feels like a bad idea, it'll bring more press to the Bolts next season, that's for sure. But, as a team looking to regroup and rebuild, is bringing in someone like Melrose really a good idea? I hope for the new owners' sakes that Vinny and Louie like him. Because, Jokinen and Voukun did NOT like Jacques Martin, but there were tight with the Panthers' owner, and look who lost his job? Ironically, look who is now traded to Phoenix. Bye, Olli! I seriously doubt that the Bolts will trade Vinny, I don't care HOW good Stamkos is, he's not Vinny Lecavalier.

How can you trust a man whose hair looks like that?
I wouldn't trust Brian Engblom as far as I could throw him.
Or Donald Trump.

Does one really need a REASON to post this picture?

9. Ryan Miller. Why? For some reason my love for Ryan Miller has tempered and in the clear light of the off-season, I'm seeing Millsey from a new perspective. Is he that good? Is he worth a 5+ year contract? Is he worth Lundqvist money? Only time will tell, I guess. He was OUTSTANDING for 2 seasons and then, not so much this season. But, how much of that was really his fault? Don't get me wrong, I want Miller to stay and sign an extension this summer (OMG MILLSEY, DON'T LEAVE ME HERE WITH THEM!) but I just wonder how this upcoming season will turn out for him. Some strong defense would go a long way to helping him out. TEPPO?!?! I think my fear for Millsey is more concern about his back-up situation than it is actual concern about him. When Miller is on (which was about 90% of the time in 05-06 and 06-07) he's amazing, but without a reliable backup, will he push himself to play more than he should, for the sake of the team? Will he ignore the urge inside him to sit this one out, because his backup is a wild card? The situation, and not really Ryan Miller is what annoys me.

Don't worry, Millsey, we'll find you a backup!!

10. Limewire. It ruined my laptop DON'T USE IT. WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT DOWNLOAD LIMEWIRE. IT KILLS COMPUTERS. DON'T DO IT!!!

THE DEVIL NOT THE NEW JERSEY ONES, LIKE THE BAD ONE WITH THE FORKED TAIL.... BRIAN GIONTA?

It's all Been Done

by Anne

I'd write about Saturday's game, but my fellow bloggers summed it all up nicely.

I thoroughly relished in every second of TEPPO. I loved Roysie's totally unselfish pass to Britney for his hat trick. I'm amazed Mike Weber survived that crazy assault from behind. There was nothing not to love about that game. I whooped it up for Thibault and the defensemen who limited that Bruins to only 17 shots and zero goals.

Today I will highlight my top 10 moments of the season (on the ice):

10: Yo-yo's 20th "Personal-Best" Goal of the Season

It didn't come until March 19, but we all knew Captain October and February would pull through in the end. Who didn't love that crazy angle shot that miraculously went in to get Yo-yo his first 20 goal season? Yay! There had BEST be a letter permanently sewn on his left shoulder come October....Lindy, I'm lookin' at you.

9: Andrew Peters' Annual Goal

I like this picture because of Kalinin's face

Andrew Peters has many roles as a Buffalo Sabre: awkward slow skater, bench warmer, NHLPA Player Representative, Press Box Coffee Boy and terrible fighter. But on February 27, 2008, he had one title: Goal Scorer. Woooooo! Once a year, baby!

8: Sekera's GWG against Boston March 30, 2008

When Andrej Sekera first came up from Rochester earlier in the season we were all... rather "underwhelmed" by his performance. However, a few months down in the trenches with Webby turned him into one hell of a defenseman. There were many moments of defensive HOTNESS however, no moment shines out more for Reggie this season than his crazy offensive BULLET from the point goal to keep our SLIM playoff hopes alive. Excellent work by Britney and Webby to make it happen.

7: The December 21, 2007 Game aka Danny's return to Buffalo

I was fortunate enough to take Mama Maloy to this game. Danny's first return after jumping ship. The mood in the Arena was TENSE. It was so great. This is probably my favorite game I've ever been to. Winning it, Spacek's bone crushing hit on Danny. It was perfect. Ok, so both Danny and Dru are in the playoffs...but for that weekend, we were the team that won WITHOUT Daniel Briere.

6: Miller's 1st game after his cousin passed: 6-0 Win

Not long at all after Ryan Miller's cousin Matt passed away, Ryan had to go back to business as usual. He gave a then-abysmally-crappy team a huge win, their first of the season, I might add. That game was so emotional. Any one who is a fan of either of the Miller brothers knows how much "Matt Man" meant to them. I can't lie, when Miller raised his helmet showing his cousin's nickname written on the back, I got choked up, kind of like I am right now.

5: Big Bear's first game as a Buffalo Sabre: February 27, 2008

Derek Roy's face reads: I don't even know you, but I'm going to hug you

In the words of Rick Jeanneret: "WELCOME TO BUFFALO, STEVE BERNIER!" Could you have really asked for a better debut? Granted, Big Bear has only scored 1 additional goal and a handful of assists since then, but the physical play of the team his just exploded since dropping the Skating Tomato and picking up Big Bear. I don't want to love him because his time as a Sabre might already be over, but if he had driven from the Arena to my apartment and proposed to me after that game, I definitely would've said yes. Actually, if Big Bear did that right now, I might still say yes.

4: 10-1 win over the Atlanta Thrashers: January 18, 2008

I know, Danny, I couldn't believe it either

With every goal that was scored in that game, my faith and love for SabreHockey that had been forcibly chipped away from me by each of the 10 preceding losses was put back in its rightful place. My then-favorite Staffy (sorry, no longer my absolute favorite, but#2 ain't bad) got his first hat trick, newly named as S(h)ara's favorite, Derek Roy, got a hat trick after Lindo basically told him he needed to step it up. That game was beautifully merciless towards the Thrashers and I loved it. They played dirty that game and moved themselves onto my top 5 least favorite teams. I loved that game so much I wanted to marry it and have little goal scoring babies.

3: Tampa Bay comeback #1: February 20, 2008

This is one of my favorite pictures from the whole season

This game was not pleasant. I was so frustrated with the boys that with about 5 minutes left when we were down 3-1, I drunkenly changed the channel. Approximately 5 minutes later I changed back to officially see that we had lost when, what's that? Why is Hank hanging out on the ice after the game? Wait, WHAT? BRITNEY DID WHAT NOW? Oh Britters. Even though you were wrong about us being in the playoffs,I don't fault you, 4 hat tricks in 23 games is quite a feat, you did what you could. And you did it well in that game.

2: Tampa Bay comeback #2: March 19, 2008

Max got annoyed with this guy...oh, it's Jeff Halpern

Almost exactly 1 month after the aforementioned comeback came another huge deficit to overcome. We were, once again, losing to the Tampa Bay Lightning heading into the 3rd. I was, once again, very unhappy, although not intoxicated. While eating some dinner at a restaurant and trying not to be too annoyed by the NCAA fans who were ignoring the REAL game, and also trying to not be bothered by the slight video lapse, I watched the boys score 6 goals in one period. It was totally awesome. The only reason this game ranks higher than the Thrashers game is because at this point in the season we really believed we were going to be in the playoffs. For the January game, I think we were just content to not be kicked out of the league.

And finally...............

Drum roll please..............................

1: Henrik Tallinder's SO Goal FTW! February 6, 2008!

No moment will standout more to me from the 2007-2008 season for me than Hank the Muthafuckin' Tank's CRIZAZY shootout goal. Poor Staffy, he also beat Mr. Brick Wall, but no one remembers that. They only remember the feeling of "Uhhhh...... Tallinder?" followed very closely after by "WOOOOOOO!!!!! TALLINDER!!!!! " Oh man, I have never loved a hockey goal more. Ok, that's not true, this goal and Pommer's OT in 2006 can duke it out for supremacy.

Honorable mention goes to TEPPO for his return on Sunday, but that game was meaningless to everyone but Teppo and Thibault basically.

There ya have my top 10. Any thing you feel I left out? Any moments are higher or lower on your list?

BWHAT? WEE? HEH? HOO? HOW?!

by Anne



Whoa...



WHOA...



WHOA...


What the bleepity bleep was that?

My thoughts exactly, Sabres.com

I was enjoying some tasty Zebb's food with S(h)ara, Tina and Jess whilst watching the Sabres' game with an awkward 3 second video delay. After the 2nd, I was considering betting it all on the college basketball game on the TV next to me when...what's that? Oh, its 4-2? Ok. Hey, 4-3...Yay! Even if we lose- Yo-yo got #20! I accidentally high-fived a lamp I was so excited. No one else in Zebb's was nearly as pumped as I was. So I'm thinking: hey, we could do this...4-4! 4-5? 4-6! 4-7?!?!!??! After I collected myself off of the floor, I bounded happily home, ready to write about our joyous happenings and discuss the game in depth with S(h)ara on the car ride home.

WA-HOO!!! 6 goals in the 3rd period? On only 10 shots? WHAT? Thanks, Vinny! Thanks, Kari! I bet John Tortorella wishes he'd started Mikey Smith, who has never faced the Sabres.

20 goals in 3 games? Goals # 20 and #21 for Yo-yo? ANOTHER NATURAL HAT TRICK for Britney? Take that, Mogilny! 3 hat tricks for Thomas Vanek and 2 against the Lightning? In the last 3 years we're 11/12 against Tampa? WOOOO!

I'd like to point out that the Roysie, Staffy, Britney line combined on all 3 of Britney's goals. When those boys are good, they are SCARY good.

Poor Paul Ranger, that arm injury looked realllllly painful. If its not BADLY broken, I'll be shocked. It was so rough, I looked away for fear of protruding bone, that's how much pain he appeared to be in.

Caps lost BIG time, 5-0 to the Blackhawks so: Welcome back to 9th place, Sabres fans.

I can't even tell you how happy these games make me. Wow. Just, wow.

I have to rent a limo bus for this smoothie ride. Everyone in!

---

Private to Vincent Lecavalier:

Sorry, Vinny. You scored goals 38 and 39! I'm sorry your team (minus you and Tiny) sucks.

You look really good with the Art Ross Trophy, though!

I'm sorry my South East boyfriend... no hard feelings?

Love,

Anne

---

Dear Anne,

If I were mad, would I post this picture just for you?

Is that better Anne?

Anne?

Oh dear, she's collapsed. I suppose I'll have to finish this post for her....ummm GO BOLTS!

But, yeah, for serious, we really lost bad to your team, Buffalo. You're good.

Love,

Vinny,
Anne's South East Division Boyfriend