Delinquency

by Anne

I haven't updated since Thursday cuz I have the sniffles. True story. Also because I been supa dupa busy these last few days.

Let's recap Thursday night through Saturday night, shall we?

Thursday: Kings fired 4298672356 shots on Jimmy Howard but still lost 2-1. Blahhhhh. It was a very unpleasant game. However, Greener bounced back from this sore back and delivered some hits that night. Thank you, Greene Beane.

Friday: The Sabres host the Maple Leafs and, big shockeroo, beat them 3-2. Ryan Miller got all feisty and punched Matt Stajan in the face with his blocker and it was hilarious and awesome except he got a penalty but we killed that penalty off.

He went down like a ton of bricks

Tyler Myers is real tall. He also scored some sweet goals that were of the "Sooooo I'm right here... no one's gonna stop me ok- goal."

In the net.

Three powerplays. Three shots. Three goals. Good night for the PP.... to play against the Maple Leafs abyssmal penalty kill.

Saturday: The Sabres snapped their six-game winning streak but still mustered a point after an unending shootout v. the Colorado Avalanche.

Lalime started sloppy but had some huge saves to keep the Sabres in it until the end.

I called Vanek using his around the world move in the shootout and it totally worked. Hopefully he's turning a corner? Maybe? Pleeeease? :)

He did his best.

Then the Kings lost 4-3 after the Blues scored a goal 14 seconds into the game. Oy. It was not one of Jonathan Quick's best nights as he was pulled after allowing four goals on 23 shots. The last goal he let in was the definition of a softie.

Ok, well that Lydman goal on Ves-HA! Toskalol was the definition of a softie but this one wasn't much better.

They attempted to make a comeback. Brownie and Kopi scored to make it 4-3 but that's how it ended. Lame.

But, congrats to Brandon Segal who scored his first NHL goal tonight! Good job!

Woo!

The Kings need to get their butts in gear. This chick is none too thrilled with them. >:-[

Also, Greener had two fights tonight.

I haven't watched the replay of this fight. I wasn't home yet when it happened.

Why, Greener, why?

Although scanning his teammates' faces is pretty hilarious.

Zus, shave that goatee, it's like a hedge

I love Smyttie's face.

Oscar is really fascinated down there on the left.

Tonight was my last Sabres game working at HSBC Arena :( I have tickets to go to the next home game as a regular old patron. Wooo!

That is, of course, after the Sabres have their lengthy West Coast roadtrip when they'll play the Kings on the 21st and I'll be totally tormented.

Blogger Delinquency

by Anne

I haven't blogged since Tuesday?!

Yet I don't have time now.

See you all at the game tonight!

Islanders @ Sabres 7:30!!

I haven't used this picture in a long time and I love it

Wanna Hear about my Wednesday?

by Anne

Wednesday was the Sabres final home game of the pre-season. Cheap tickets, Toronto game, decent weather? Should spell a decent house, right?

Oh how very very wrong you would be if you thought that.

I work up the 300 level. I'm estimating there were maybe 300 people in the ENTIRE 300 level; the upperbowl holds about 6,000 people (I'm totally estimating on that number). Every single vendor was called into work.

The grand total of attendance was officially 11,008. That doesn't even fill the 100s and 200s. Everyone could've fit in the 100 level.

It was a huge waste of time. Our supervisor, who did not make the schedule, came by at the beginning of the second period and told us we could go home. I sold a grand total of: 1 popcorn, 2 cotton candy, 6 pop, 1 peanut and 1 twizzler in about 2 hours. Normally I sell that in the first 20 minutes when people are just starting to show up.

So when I was told to go home I said "Eff that." I changed into my regular clothes and found two empty seats in 117 next to Cari, Kim, Clare and Kelsey whom I just met and I'm not sure if she writes a blog. I enjoyed being a spectator for the 3rd period immensely as its the first time I've sat and watched a Sabres game in person since... March or April of 2008 I think.

Random observation: In the pre-game warm-ups Roy was wearing the C and Pommer was wearing an A. Once the game started, Gaustad was wearing the C, Roy was demoted to an A and Pommer and Yoyo also had As. Did Derek not give it his all in the warm-ups, Lindy? Maybe he spilled gatorade on it? I'm covinced that they're all on by velcro so Lindy can switch leadership as he sees fit.

Who do you think will ultimately wear the letters? Craigory with the C. A's I'm thinking will go to Grier, Gaustad, Pominville and Timmy or Royzie.

John Vogl wrote on the Sabres Edge that the current projected top three lines for the Sabres are:

MacArthur - Connolly - Pominville
Stafford - Roy - Vanek
Hecht - Gaustad - Grier
xxx-xxx-xxx
(I'm thinking those xxxs will be Paille- Mair/Ellis - Kaleta)
(Although is there room for Kennedy or Gerbe?)

I'm feeling our third line. I like that combination a lot. It's lines 1 and 2 that give me pause.

I always have trouble when fans decide they know more than a headcoach when it comes to forming lines, but as we live in a free country, I'm taking leave to speculate.

I wonder about a top line of Vanek - Connolly - Pommer and a second line of Stafford - Roy - MacArthur. Maybe toss Gerbe in as a winger with one of those line combinations down the line... not on October 3rd, I don't think he's ready. I'm not of course guaranteeing that I have any idea what I'm talking about, but it's my blog and I'll speculate if I want to.

The Sabres are ramping up their number of blogs this season. Adam Mair is starting one "Mair's Office." Hey, the sign's there most games. Sabres PR guy Kevin Snow is starting up a fantasy hockey blog he's calling "Livin' the Dream." Of course KSlyv still has his blog, Erin Pollina (who has great fashion sense but really wears completely ridiculous shoes to games, at least she did to the Washington game, she looked like she couldn't walk. But she looked great so who cares? Do I have a girl crush on Erin Pollina? No, I think I'm just glad we've seen less Maria Genero this pre-season) is still writing Beyond the Boards. No sign of Pommer's blog yet but hopefully we will be blessed this season by his choppy sentences and over-simplification of the English language.

We're fast approaching the start of the regular season!! Woooo!

This post needs a picture, let's find one, shall we?

So he's not a Sabre
However, I believe we can all support Shane O'Brien encouraging literacy
Although, maybe not his supporting of the Detroit Tigers
BUT. He SCORED the tying goal in the last minute of regulation on Thursday.
SO'B scored only one goal in the playoffs, none in the regular season and now one in pre-season
Someday he'll have a regular season goal for Vancouver

Does This Mean We Have to Lose to Ottawa?

by Anne

Two divisional games down this week, one to go. 2-0 on the week. I'm as happy as a clam.

Unfortunately, of the many many back to back Friday/Saturday games we've had this season, we have never won both of those games. Not once. Therefore, if tradition holds we will lose tomorrow in Ottawa. Great. That's great. Looking forward to it.

Tonight's game had just the right amount of suspense and excitement to keep you hooked for 60 minutes. A not so hot first period was shaken from our memories when Spacek's shot from the blueline 27 seconds in turned out to be the shot that opened scoring.

The Sabres only fired 22 shots on net but Jesus Price was only able to stop 19 of them, so that's all that really mattered in the end.

Paetsch was playing forward...? I was surprised to see him out there considering that would've given us 7 defensemen, but I suppose that throwing him on the wing to fill in a gap left by Goose wasn't a bad idea considering he's been playing decently the past few games. The gamble paid off as Paetsch was able to score his 2nd of the season.

Timmy's goal started with a lot of luck and ended with a lot of skill. That was a lucky bounce off of the net/Carey Price, right to Timmy and a little stickhandling later the puck was in the net and turned out to be the game-winning goal.

It appears my jersey countning luck-bringing streak is at an end. I counted Pommer v. Royzie and Pommer won 17-13. However, while Pommer played a fine game, he did not respond in the way Timmy, TV and Millsy have to their head to head jersey battle victories. Alack and fie.

Dear Dallas Stars,

Thank you for beating the New York Rangers, but 10-2 is OUR score, not yours. Please get your own crazy blow-out total.

Love,
Anne

I came to work late because the traffic on Delaware was awful for some reason. When I come late, I always see players from the opposing team. Today it was Mike Komisarek almost knocking me in the face with a soccer ball. I also saw Maxim Lapierre (mmmmm) and Chris Higgins (?) I'm not sure if it was Chris or not, but I'm pretty sure it was.

Post-game I saw Goose. I'm happy to report he does not have any appendages in slings, casts or neck braces, so that's a good sign.

We're currently tied for 6th with Philly, but the downside to that is, while we have 28 wins to Philly's 26, they also have three games in hand.

I've been hoping for the Sabres to get a solid center to help a playoff run at the deadline, or maybe that elusive puck moving defensemen. This may not be an issue if Timmy can survive, but ya never know... The amazing irony is that there is a top line center that's practically without a home these days as his current team has no room for him while he recovers from surgery. If he heals and rehabs according to schedule, he should be back to game shape by the trade deadline. His salary is a little hefty but if we trade Max and maybe another spare part, we'd have room for him. He'd play great in our system and would be great centering Hecht and Pommer the way Danny Briere did.

That center that would work out as well as Danny Briere? Yeah it is Danny Briere.

The Flyers are in a really tough spot with Daniel. They're playing really really well without him and in order to put him back in the lineup they'd have to clear some serious cap space. That's probably what they'll have to do because it'll be difficult to find a taker for him with that contract.

I know its not going to happen but let me daydream a little.

I was heartbroken (and in Italy) when we lost Danny and I've never moved on. I'm totally over losing Drury and I'm basically over losing Soupy. However, I'm still not over losing Jay McKee and Danny. I'm pretty sure that bringing Briere back wouldn't bring back the regular season success of his last tour of duty in Buffalo, but its a pipe dream I've had for the last year or so that becomes less and less ideal with each passing game.

Whatevs, enough about Danny-Boy. Sabres win 3-2 and move to a tie for 6th and only three points behind 4th place Montreal. Woooo!!!

Picture of the Game:

Timmy looks not unlike Oscar does when he jumps in the tub and there's still water in it
He can't get his toes wet

I NEED TO COUNT THOMAS VANEK JERSEYS EVERY NIGHT

by Anne

I know its been like a little over a year since the Sabres last played at home, but, if you recall, starting back a few games ago, I began counting jerseys in head to head battles before the game. Without exception or exaggeration, every player that has won their head to head battle has gone on to have a great game. Tonight I counted Derek Roy v. Thomas Vanek. Vanek won 15-13 and had a natural hat trick.

WHO'S IN A SLUMP? WHOSE JERSEY NEEDS A-COUNTIN'?

That game was sweeeeeeeeeeeeet. Were there any Toronto fans there?? because I certainly didn't hear any.

There really isn't a whole lot to say about that game. It was an incredibly thorough beating from start to finish.

The Leafs are straight up terrible. Sweet Merciful Gretzky, they were AWFUL. AW. FUL. They had no forecheck, their play in the neutral zone was laughable, they were forced off the puck if Dan Paille breathed on them too hard and they didn't help poor Justin Pogge at all. I'm pretty sure each Sabre can tack about 6 takeaways onto his stats tonight. It was down right pathetic.

I could not get over the Leafs fans who cheered for Matt Stajan's "goal" I was almost as far away as I physically could've been and I heard the whistle before Matt Stajan even shot the puck, so the fans right next to the goal probably should've been able to hear it as well. Ryan Miller clearly did and made no attempt to stop an easy shot.

My new favorite phrase has been discovered. When Vanek scored his third goal, this drunk dude was lucid enough to realize it was a natural hat trick, stood up, beer in hand, waving his hat and screamed "NATTY HATTY BABY, NATTY HATTY." What a master of the English language.

Other interesting points of note:

The Toronto Maple Leafs have some damn fine looking fans. I'm pretty sure I would've just about melted into a puddle if this dude and I had smiled at each other for a second longer. To give you a frame of reference he looked a lot like J-M Liles.

(Like after I wrote those sentences I just zoned out and daydreamed a little about that dude. So pretty.)

This couple that made out a lot at the last Leafs game was there again, but they did not choose to fondle each other in front of me.

If you're going to stand outside the Women's bathroom and wait for your lady friend, please do not stand in front of my cart. I'm rather passive aggressive so I will just start screaming my product list at the back of your head until you get the hint and move.

Once again, fans were stingy and sales were poor. Whatevs, Montreal fans are better.

Maxim Afinogenov's shoes are really really loud when he's walking on concrete.

Thomas Vanek jerseys: 15
Derek Roy jerseys: 13
Red leopard print leggings: 1

The Pens won tonight, giving them 55 points, but leaving them in 10th as Carolina has a game in hand.

I'm a big fan of Steve Dangle's Leafs Fan Reactions and I was not surprised to turn on his video about tonight's game and see this as the opening shot:

I'm sorry, Steve.
But not that sorry.

Everyone Lost Tonight

by Anne

Disney on Ice was so awful and I made so little money and I'm in a foul mood. This is probably not the best time to blog but I'm probably just going to keep going anyway. Maybe after this I'll finish that "All-Star Roster post" I've been working on and forgetting about for the past 5 days or so.

I both hate and enjoy working at the Arena. I hate the way some things are done. Everyone is obsessed with seniority and most everyone there has been working there for like 6-10 years. If I work there past next season (and I might even not work there next season) I'll be completely shocked. Tonight was almost a complete waste of time and I hope my sinuses bothering me means I'm getting a sinus infection so I don't have to go back. I (sort of) see every Sabres game for free and that's (sort of) cool, but so is watching the game at home. There's a lot more that happens during home broadcasts than away and I miss out on all of it. Whatev, I still have my health.

Then both the Pirates and the Sabres lost. The Pirates lost to a lower ranked team but they are completely beset with injuries. Kennedy played tonight but with a face cage and Gerbe did not play tonight as he is still recovering from his bout with the flu. They lost 2-1 after the Lowell Devils scored two first period goals and they were clearly only able to score one in the third period. Awesome.

Then the Sabres lost and I didn't watch much of the game, so I'm not even going to talk about it.

Hank is hurt. I watched that part. Great. Now what do we do? We're already playing Paetsch, Weber is still recovering from knee surgery and the rest of the Pirates defensemen are just not ready or not good enough.

There's still 45 minutes left in today, maybe something good will happen. At least I got to park in the ramp at the Arena tonight.

Danny Briere is still hurt and isn't getting much better any faster. Now he has to have exploratory surgery. Oh man. Maybe I should stop reading articles online that are only going to say things that are slightly to moderately depressing.

Here's my cat in a hamper, unable to figure out either how he got in or how he's going to get out:

Mommy, stop taking pictures and help me.
He's cute.

That Stunk

by Anne

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This would look so nice on my bookshelf.

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

I can't wait for Christmas!!!!

There was a game?

by Anne

I could not have been more distracted tonight. A 3 ton elephant could've run across the ice and I probably would not have noticed. Ugh. THINGS.

The PA guy was SCREAMING at the beginning of the night. It was not the usual dude. The nice quiet pre-game old game was finished playing, there was a lull and then all of a sudden "THIS ARENA HAS ENHANCED THE MEASURES...." I almost dropped my tray.

Tara Minogue or whatever her name is, is trying to kill us all. Tonight's anthems were slightly faster than last time's but seriously, at the Toronto game I had basically packed up by the time she got to "in all thy sons command."

Anyway, tonight I saw Kate and Heather. Also saw some of my usual regulars including a dude that gets a big kick out of the fact that I always remember what he orders. Its not that complicated but he seems to appreciate it.

Tonight I counted the number of people who asked me for beer: 5

Next game - chewing tobacco chewers.

Although, I have to say, I correctly remembered that that goal was not Pat Kaleta's first of the season. Listen, this girl has an incredible memory. I don't remember EVERYTHING but I do remember when Sabres score goals. Especially because I have been in HSBC Arena for every goal Pat Kaleta has scored on home ice. No exaggeration.

Yo the Blue Jackets beat the Sharks... in OT, so they have 53 points now. WTF? That's insane.

Ok, I need to chill the eff out. I know none of you know (except S(h)ara) what I'm talking about, but just agree with 2 things: 1. I need to calm the hell down and 2. Is there really any thing in the world that isn't automatically made better by looking at this picture?:

What a good-time gang
(I don't remember where I found this picture)

It'll be ok, right Goose?

It sure will, Annie B.

A Night of Highs and Lows

by Anne

Low points:

- Obviously, losing sucks.

-Lots of empty seats in the corners where we sell which means less $$ :/

-AWFUL sales night. Like, really terrible.

-Traffic on the way to the Arena was terrible and I was late, but it doesn't really matter, but I hate being late

-I was too late to grab dinner so I was hungry during the game

-Last night I was up suuuuuuuuuuper late finishing some work and generally not being tired so I'm super drained today

- If you and I have never spent a great deal of time together, let this serve as a warning: if I'm tired and hungry, its best to try to remedy one of those setbacks as quickly as possible. On the other hand, if I allow myself to be supremely crabby in front of you it means we've reached a certain level of friendship. I guess being bitchy to you means I love you? Just ask my sister, hahaha. What a jerk she is.

High points!

-Its Toronto so the goal total pool in my commissary was $50 bucks and I won! I wasn't happy that the Sabres lost but if they did, I'm glad the score was 2-1 so I could win the pool. Wooooo!

- I always forget to mention this, but there's something to be said for tradition and superstitions. I didn't realize until tonight that there's a certain player's superstition that, while it probably helps them get ready, it also helps me calm down.

Every night Paul Gaustad sits on the bench and contemplates life or thinks about what he ate for dinner or how just generally wicked sweet he is at this thing called life, or whatever he thinks about before he goes off and plays hockey. Every game he tosses a puck on the ice and it always stops at the top of the left face off dot in the West (i think) end of the Arena. Today I walked in to the seating a little late to do my useless pre-game wander and I looked down and my puck of reassurance was not there. WHA-? IS GOOSE NOT PLAYING?!? GREAT! THIS IS TERRIBLE WHAT HAPPENED TO HI- oh, wait, he's still all zen-like on the bench. Phew. The puck landed in its usual place shortly there after. I didn't realize how comforting this was to me until it wasn't there. Its kind of like "Goose is ready, are you?"

-I was walking out of the Arena tonight and was quite literally about 2 feet from Craig Rivet and did not realize it until I was like right up in his business. I was just not at all expecting to see him. I literally could've reached out and touched his arm. I think he was looking at the new calendar, but I didn't want to linger and be a creeper. I'm fond of my job, I'd like to keep it, thanks.

-Every game there are obviously TONS of people in jerseys, most have numbers, some do not. I enjoy looking at the persons's player of choice and then debating with myself if this person's selection seems to fit them.Usually, the answer is yes. This more applies to players that are not Thomas Vanek and Ryan Miller because they're so common there's way too much variety in those people to find a pattern. The people who wear Jochen Hecht jerseys are definitely a type, as are Pominville jersey wearers. Peters jerseys are always male and always look like they're wasted, Drury/Campbell/Briere jersey wearers that are not children tend to look unhappy, hahahaha. There are also the occasional Vanek Golden Gophers or Staffy Fighitng Sioux or Miller Spartans jerseys and those people never buy from me ever. No exaggeration. The whole point of this rambling ties into the previous point I made. I've discovered that the nicest people wear Paul Gaustad and Henrik Tallinder jerseys (Heather! haha). No lie. I really paid attention to it tonight, of those that wore numbered jerseys that I interacted with or waited on, the ones that were the nicest were those wearing Goose or Hank jerseys and they were all dudes. There wasn't really one that was rudest because no one was particularly rude, contrary to what most people think. Now, are these people made nicer by Goose and Hank's aura or are nicer people drawn to Goose and Hank? I have never seen a douchebag wearing either of their jerseys. Ugh, I hate to be so stereotypical and douchebags rarely wear numbered jerseys but if they do, they frequently rock #9 (sorry Royzie, I know you wouldn't be friends with these dudes).

Anyway, the only negative interaction I had with Toronto fans were this dude and his girlfriend making out against a wall across from me. I felt like I was in high school again. But then we chatted about overly buttered popcorn and now we're lifelong friends.

-Finally, I discovered today that my computer will actually out loud tell me what time it is if I check a certain box. It just said "Its 12:15" to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance"

- My cat is really freakin' cute

-My doggy is doing better but he isn't 100% out of the woods. I have to take him back to the vet next week for a check up. On the plus side he is truly the gentlest sweetest most loving dog you'll ever meet and even through all his medical issues he's the sweetest puppy you could ever hope to meet.

-Oh yeah, hockey. Both Fabian Brunnstrom and former Wings WCB Brett Lebda scored in Dallas' 3-1 victory over Detroit.

-Steve Downie was sent to the minors again today. How must his self-esteem be if Tampa has decided that who they have is better than him? OUCH.

- The Caps dressed a person who works on their website as their back-up goalie tonight. He had to sign an amatuer try-out contract in order to be able to play and the Caps had to get a special dispensation from the NHL to be able to dress three goalies. He wasn't just some random dude, he tended goal in college and has helped out by playing goalie in practice a few times for the Caps. That is completely awesome. Can Maria Genero be our emergency goalie?

Signing off.... Sort Of

by Anne

My life is about to be fully dedicated to final exams. So until next Friday, my updates will hopefully still be regular, but will mostly be things like:

OMFG I spilled coffee on my laptop today. But, being the "keeping her cool in times of crisis" type of chick that I am, I avoided further damage to my computer by immediately flipping it over so the coffee would not drain into the guts of my computer. All in all, I have to get a new keypad installed, but my computer itself is fine. PHEW! I can still use my laptop by plugging in an external keyboard which I am typing on right now. It is no longer mobile but that's ok.

I increased my sales for like the 5th straight game in a row. I had to lie to a little girl and say we were out of cotton candy because I hid one for S(h)ara. I don't feel so bad about it because that's how I found out the pink cotton candy is kind of cherry flavored. Gross. I hate cotton candy. One bite is all I need for the next year or so.

Whenever I'm at the Arena I see at least 3 or 4 obviously pregnant women. There might be others who are walking the border between "pregnant" and "awkward tummy pooch".

MATT GREENE SCORED AN ASSIST TONIGHT AND I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER ABOUT IT. It was a pretty bad-ass pass from the defensive zone through the neutral zone that set up Frolov to zoom in on Toskala with 2 Maple Leaf's defencemen lost around him. He got the puck when Matt Stajan turned it over with a pass that went right to Greener. Wooooo!!!

That game between the "Sabres" and the Predators was the single most boring 60 minutes of hockey I've ever witnessed. However, my sales were through the roof. Monday night Western team game does not usually mean big bucks. WHATEVS. That new keypad isn't going to pay for itself.

Aw Greener, don't look at me like that!
I'll be back! I SWEAR!

OK, PEOPLE ONE MORE THING!!!!!!! Ok, by "people" I really mean "girls". Look, I may love a good backchecking defenseman as much as the next dude but I also love men more than the next dude... unless the next dude is my BFF Adam.... he's a gay. S(h)ara and I are planning on writing an All-Stars of Hotness teams post again this year. However, reviewing last years choices, most of them sucked. Frankly, its because we were not well versed enough in other teams hottie boomba lotties outside of their roster photos and we all know roster photos are NOT adequate to measure a players hotness. Therefore, I ask you to come up with a few players from teams OTHER THAN the following because I know these teams well enough:

East:
Buffalo Sabres
New York Rangers
Pittsburgh Penguins

West:
Calgary Flames
Vancouver Canucks
Chicago Blackhawks

Please narrow it down to one or 2 players from each team and provide photo documentation if possible. We shall conduct the voting for positions by conference beginning on December 26. Thanks!! Oh, and please do not try to make a case for unattractive players just because they're good and lovable. I LOVES me some Jaro "Sissy" Spacek, but he ain't making this list.

I Was All Set To Leave Until I Realized the Game is at 7:30, Not 7:00

by Anne

2/3 of the band is back together!
Ohhhhhhhhhhh. I went there

I love this ad from a random website I was just cruising:

You can lose 12 pounds and dramatically change your skin color!

I'm killing time because I'm all ready to leave at 5:00 to be there at 5:30. However, the game is at 7:30 which means I don't have to be there until 6:00. SWEEEEEET.

So I know there are a few of you that will be in the Arena tonight, I'm assuming most likely in the 300s unless you are wealthy... and if that is the case... why are we not better friends?

I work in sections 311ish- 322ish, aisles 14-23. HOWEVER. Before the game I wander aimlessly around the upper level and mostly talk to the ushers. I pay no attention to the people around me unless they flail frantically because they want popcorn and considering that happens.... once every 3 games, I basically zone out. Please don't think I'm ignoring you if you're there before the game and I'm wandering but don't say anything. If I make no wave or smile or say "hi" chances are I did not see you. I'm REALLY good at zoning out and still looking attentive. I'm a stage manager and college student, two trades where you can truly hone those skills.

Another note, please do not feel obligated to buy anything from me. $3.50 is totally ridiculous for a bottle of Coke, even if you DO get to keep the cap this season. I don't want people to avoid me because they don't want to buy anything, hahaha. BUT, if you do buy food, keep in mind that vendors work on commission and concessions people do not. That goes for beer and packaged food. WOO! Vendors wear black and white refs shirts, concessions people wear red shirts and there are LOTS more concessions people. Oh and there's like this great rivalry apparently between vending and concessions? I don't get it, but apparently it exists.

There's nothing more annoying than showering and doing your hair only to have to put on unflattering clothes and a baseball cap. Gross.

In Case You Were Wondering

by Anne

• Rob Ray is shorter than you'd think he'd be, and his head does look as enormous in person
• Goose was on the bench  doing his pre-game meditation way later than usual. He was still there at 20 minutes to 7:00
• If you're cut off from beer consumption at HSBC Arena and you're caught with another beer, you will be escorted out of the building
• Mark Mancari scored another goal, giving him 18 points and moving him to 2nd in the AHL in scoring
• Tim Kennedy ending his point streak :(
• I was that graceful popcorn vendor mentioned in John Vogl's live blog, the one who dropped the tray.
• Larry Quinn is also shorter in person than you'd think
• Montreal also lost in a shootout so we maintain our 1 point lead in the division
• In spite of the fact that Buffalo is, in fact, in the United States, all of the ushers were wearing poppies for Canada's Remembrance Day (FYI, until about 10 seconds before I hit "publish post" that said "poopies" instead of "poppies")
• This is how Drew Stafford reacted when Lindy told him he would be benched:

Drew! Do NOT throw pucks at Lindy!!!

That about covers it. Hey, we got a point, Max got the monkey off his back and scored, Vanek maintained his scoring lead, Grizz scored one for MK and I bet Lalime starts tomorrow.

Whats with Ryan Miller either allowing 0 goals or 5? Whatev, it wasn't a divisional game, and its not as though the Thrashers are going to do much with those 2 points.... aaaaand cue EPIC Atlanta winning streak.

Sabres Win!!! I Still Hate Phil Kessel

by Anne

Wooooo!!! Ok, so I can't deny that sometimes I'm kid of glad I don't watch every second of every home game, especially when they're a snooze fest like Boston games usually are. I prefer to chat with the ushers about the trap and how Manny Fernandez was great when he played for Minnesota and he hasn't played in like a year.

Anyway, who else had a sense of deja vu from Saturday's game? Trailing by 2, tie it up, 3-2 shootout decision. The only difference was we won this shoot out and there was less violence because the Boston Bruins pick "boring" over "punchy".

THOMAS VANEK DIDN'T SCORE A GOAL. OFF WITH HIS HEAD. Ok, well he did score the game-winning shootout goal. WHAT IS HIS DEAL?! WHATEVER IT IS, I LOVE HIS DEAL.

Things that happened tonight that don't happen every night:

• I sold popcorn to my AP Economics teacher from high school. He did not recognize me. Of course, rarely in high school did I wear a black baseball cap and a black and white refs shirt with price buttons on them. I said RARELY.
• KATEBITS WAS THERE!! And because I'm a loser and am terrified my students will find this blog one day, we did not take a picture. HOWEVER, KATEBITS, I REALIZED THAT THE PICTURE WOULD IN FACT BE ON YOUR BLOG AND NOT MINE, SO, GAME ON SISTER FRIEND, WE CAN POSE WITH THE DIET COKE AND COTTON CANDY.
• I ran out of quarters just as Katebits came through my line. HOW EMBARRASSING.
  
• A drunk man asked me for my phone number
• A girl paid for her popcorn with 4 $1 coins

I watched the shootout up in the stands because that's actually a lot more fun that watching it from the zamboni doors with the ice people and the guys who bring in and out those awning things because they block the ice and you have to watch on the screen, and whats the fun in that?

---

Dear Derek Roy,

Anytime you want to get a notch in that "G" column, that'd be SUPER. Also, I fail to see how you were more of a "star" in this game than Drew Stafford.

Love, Anne

---

The stars of the game were Miller, Roy and Vanek. I agree with 2 and 3, but Royzie over Staffy? Did he have some SICK passes that I missed?

OMG HOW RELIEVED AM I THAT DREW FINALLY SCORED. He's been solid for us in the shootout, it's great that he's finally gotten a regulation tally, and what a beauty of a goal it was. He's had so many chances and so many shots on goal early on this season (5 tonight alone) so its really really great to see him able to light the lamp, finally!!

Speaking of face offs that we weren't talking about, I've been impressed by Kotalik's face off numbers, the last few I can remember checking for him have been about 50%. He doesn't take that many but he wins most of them, and that's what counts. Matt Ellis was 0 for 6 on the face offs. I'm pretty indifferent about him at this point.

My inexplicable hatred for Mr. Yick continues. HE RUINED OUR PERFECT PENALTY KILL AND I'LL NEVER FORGIVE HIM. But then he didn't score in the shootout and I got way more excited than I should have about it. P to the S, I know he had testicular cancer and he's played incredibly well since then. My dislike for him is totally unrelated to his medical problems. That's Phil Kessel the human being, him I'm fine with, Phil Kessel the hockey player is yicky.

Petteri Nokelainen is a really fun name to say.

Danny Paille and I should compare iPod playlists sometime because most of the songs he usually picks for player tunes are on my iPod. Except for Saving Abel, I have no idea who that is.

WHO DO YOU THINK GOT THE PIGEON? DO YOU THINK ITS MILLSY? I VOTE FOR MILLER. BUT STAFFY WAS PRETTY OUTSTANDING, SO IF HE GETS THE PIGEON I'D BE OK WITH THAT TOO.

In other NHL news, the man I almost chose as my Detroit Red Wings WCB, Andreas Lilja just had an appendectomy... like 5 days after Chris Mason had an appendectomy. HOCKEY PLAYERS: PLEASE CHECK ON THE HEALTH OF YOUR APPENDIXES, (APPENDICES?.... APPARENTLY BOTH ARE GRAMMATICALLY CORRECT).

Apparently word that I've declared Ryan Getzlaf my Ducks WCB has not reached him, as he was unable to score tonight, but perhaps George Parros heard and the Ducks won anyway, WOO!

Dear Vancouver, didn't you put Kyle Wellwood on waivers? Was that someone else? He scored for you tonight, so I'm assuming I am not correct. Apparently Rick Nash realizes how fickle my love is and decided to score a goal to ensure my loyalty, BIG BEAR.

OMG, THE TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING FINALLY WON.

As of this posting, the Flames are up 2-1 over the Caps with the King of the Western Conference of my heart, Iggy, getting a PP tally. :) In other news, Caps red and Flames red are annoyingly similar but one is more blue (Caps) and one is more orange (Flames). In case you were wondering, yes I'm very particular about color and shades of color.

Oscar just attempted to jump from my bookshelf to my chest of drawers unsuccessfully. His front paws landed in my jewelry box and sent both it and himself flying. Fortunately I only own like 3 necklaces and about 5 pairs of earrings so the damage was not catastrophic and he's completely embarrassed and won't let me pick him to to check to see if he's accidentally pierced anything. I'm going to go ahead and assume he's fine. He got two breakfasts this morning, so I don't feel bad. Now he's fast asleep next to me on my bed. He's so freakin' cute. I hate cats. haha.

I love Trent Edwards. Check out First Time Long Time for a link to a great interview with him. He does Buffalo proud.

Woo! Grizz!
For some reason this picture makes me laugh.
He kind of looks like he's about to burst into song.
That might be a brilliant diversionary tactic, what do you think a defenseman would do if Clarke MacArthur came zooming over the blue line singing "You'll Never Walk Alone" at the top of his lungs?

WOOOO!!!!

by Anne

So I'm soouuuuuuuper tired and I have much to report on the comings and goings from the pre-season home opener, but I'm wicked tired.

Instead of my WITTY repartee, enjoy some snaps from the red carpet event I almost accidentally crashed in order to get to work faster. Whoops.

ITS THE WHITE SUIT!!!!!!!
You WEAR that white after Labor Day girrrrrrrrl!!



Aww lookit Ryan Miller lookin' all sassy and filling out that suit
This anti-emaciated lifestyle he's living is appreciated on and off the ice
I never noticed that Ryan Miller's legs seem to comprise about 75% of his body
He's like 2 or 3 inches shorter than Goose and his legs look about 2 or 3 inches longer than Goose's
It's also hard to tell if they're standing right next to each other or not which throws off the perspective
I can't think about Paul Gaustad in this picture too much. I'm afraid of what might happen.
GAHHHH WHY IS HE SO BEAUTIFUL IN SO MANY WAYS



There isn't nearly enough genuflecting going on at this moment
CAP'N TEPPPPPOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!



Crrraaaaaiiiiiiiig, is that the beginnings of a smiiile?
Awww shucks, Rosie!
You're so lovable with your "I kind of hate it here" attitude
I bet they don't have red carpets in silly old San Jose!!!
Thanks for assisting on Goose's goal
and wearing the A
and beating up Hollweg
and acknowledging that you might, one day, in the distant future, after you've retired and moved far far far away from Western New York,
admit that you don't hate Buffalo.


Buffalo DEFINITELY loves you.