Parallel Universe

by Anne

The Sabres are supposed to be better than the Kings. This is unfamiliar territory. 

Thank goodness I was distracted by getting ready to go out during Saturday's Sabres game.

What is WRONG with them? They lose 4-3 to the Hurricanes and then 4-0 to the Blue Jackets? Come ON, boys. Miller looked really off-kilter on Friday. At one point after letting in a softie under his arm he looked at his glove as though checking for holes. No Ryan, you just let in a softie.

Words can't even begin to describe the Blue Jackets first goal. I mean, the puck did take an unexpected bounce off the boards back at Lalime but good LORD. That was just painful. Worst goal of the year candidate, right up there with Lydman's goal on Toskala. If you've been paying attention this season, you know which one I'm talking about. It's not fun to be on this side of those kinds of goals.

They haven't been the same since the West coast roadtrip slump. I think Lindy's tried the "rest" angle for recovering after multiple bad games in  a short span of time. Based on the sloppy passing and putrid transition game we've seen over the last few fiascos, I'm hoping they're getting solid "this is the system. the system is your friend. love the system and the system will love you." practice time in. They look like they desperately need it. 

Far more pleasant to discuss is the Kings current situation. After a horrrrrible first period on Saturday afternoon, the Kings rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Red Wings 4-3 in regulation.

It isn't as impressive as the Caps current 89 game win streak, but Saturday's victory over the Red Wings set a Kings franchise record for consecutive wins. Bailey wanted to celebrate in Bailey style:

Yay!

I never thought I'd say this but:

Sabres, you could learn something from the Kings about winning hockey games.

Also, yay Saints!!

Another "also:" A few months ago we were all debating whether or not the Maple Leafs would ever win a game, now we're playing the waiting game of "will they ever been scored on again?" Good on ya Jiggy. Maybe being back with Francois Allaire is really that crucial to your success as a goaltender? Whatevs.

Bulleted Lists are easy to write

by Anne

Since I didn't watch the game :( here are a few observations from what I didn't see:

• We WON! WE SCORED LOTSA GOALS!
  

• Vanek is hurt. :(
  

• Goose, Little Foot and Patty all netted their first goals of the season;
  

• Mike Babcock can shove it about Ryan Miller. Especially after THAT performance by Ozzy;
  

• If this style of play is this "system" we've been hearing so much about, I totes have a crush on  him and I hope he stays so I can admire how pretty he is;
  

• I'm glad the Sunny Hedgehog Enchanters (who are currently PWNING the league... and I just cursed myself) benched Chris Osgood tonight;
  

• The Toronto Maple Leafs are god-damn AWFUL and it's AWESOME. I really thought they might be better this season. MAN was I wrong;
  

• Why do people keep using the word "truculence" when discussing the Leafs? I mean, it's true but people keep using it and I don't think they all really know what it means, they just think it sounds good;

• Georges Laraque is in trouuuuuuble This whole thing just screams of the reaction to the Avery "sloppy seconds" debacle. Yeah the ad was a little objectifying and in poor taste, but calm down, he said he was sorry;
  

• How much did Lindy enjoy that his team just pummeled Babcock's, his head coach for team Canada?
  

• I may be developing an inappropriate crush on Tyler Myers;

'

Hey Brad May

• I also might be ok with it.

Ohhh Patty. Nice dance

Epic Third Period Win is the New Epic Third Period Collapse

by Anne

Last year the Sabres suffered mightily at their own irresponsibility during the third period. These two pre-season games have been exactly the opposite.

The Sabres have scored a respectable six goals in two games. That sounds fine, but the truth is they scored six goals in two periods: both of the 3rd periods they've played.

They looked absolutely abysmal tonight against the Red Wings... until the third period. Same goes for the other night against the Caps.

Royzie managed to score on the power play, and Vanek scored on a nice little deflection of a Chris Butler shot from the blue line. Goose added the empty netter to seal the deal.

The star of the game was most definitely Miller. The Red Wings were relentless, shooting double digit shots on him in each period. Nice to see that Miller's "dumb" ankle has smartened up. He looked fantastic in his first game of the pre-season.

Denied.

Myers looked just ok tonight. He made a few poor choices, including the ill-advised decision to slide to the ice to block a shot that ended up being just one of several bad Sabres choices that ultimately ended in the Red Wings goal. He saw his 20+ minutes of ice time from the other night drop to just under 17:00 tonight. On the converse, Weber looked better and his hefty number of shifts (28, most on the team) reflected that play.

The Sabres managed to win in the faceoff department with Kennedy, Ellis and Gaustad each winning over 50% of their draws.

If you were to just look at the last two third periods, the Sabres look fantastic. However, games are 60 minutes, not 20 minutes long.

There Were So Many Games Last Night

by Anne

Yet, I care so little about almost all of them.

The only points of note:

• Matt Duchene scored his first (albeit unofficial) NHL goal for the Avs lsat night, but they lost 6-2 to the Blues

• Speaking of the Blues, former King Derek Armstrong scored a goal for the Blues :) I'll miss Army in the Kings line-up but I'm glad he found a home in the NHL

• Filppula scored the Wings first goal of the game, 30 seconds into the 3rd period. The Wings scored 4 goals in the 3rd to down the Rangers 4-3

• The Canucks defeated the Sharks 6-2. The Sedins had three goals. Two for Henrik and one for Daniel. Hooray! I was glad to see Ehrhoff get one in past his former team.

• Phil Kessel was finally traded to the Maple Leafs last night for a bunch of draft picks. I think two first rounders (one in 2010 and one in 2011) and a 2010 2nd rounder. This affects the Sabres almost not at all because the trade was within our division and he's going to a worse team. Oh yeah, and he's hurt. Looky there.

• Sabres play in Detroit tonight.

• Kennedy, Gerbe and Miller who all have strong Detroit ties are all playing tonight. Its because they got Lindy this hat:

It worked

Puck drops at 7:00 at the Joe!

Fantastic Photograph

by Anne

Sabres.com has an article up about Tim Kennedy's big return to Detroit for Saturday's game; Kennedy played college hockey for Michigan State.

The article touches on how Tim became friends with and still keeps in touch with a young girl who suffers from a rare medical disorder, and on his friendship with the Red Wings' Justin Abdelkader who was this close to becoming my Red Wings WCB.

I adore Tim Kennedy, in spite of my mocking of him in the past, which people flipped out on me for. My adoration of him sky rocketed after viewing this photograph:

AMAZING.
That's Abdelkader in the Spartans green
I don't know who the little girl is, I don't think its Katie

Good old Timmy. Making Buffalo proud. It's nice to see some guys from Buffalo doing good and not doing stupid bone headed things, Pat Kane.

Hooray for hockey!

Its Getting Drafty In Here

by Anne

Paul Hamilton discussed on WGR that the Sabres are decidedly anti-European, and its hard to disagree with that sentiment. There are precious few Sabres draft prospects that do not hail from this continent. The majority of our highest ranked prospects are Canadian and American, with the exceptions of Dennis Persson and Jhonas Enroth, among others. But, is this really a significant parameter for discussing the potential for success within the Sabres prospects?

It would seem that the argument for drafting European players is the luck and skill that has mixed together to form the Detroit Red Wings drafting in the last decade. Players like Zetterburg and Datsyuk were drafted very late in the draft (179th and 210th overall respectively) and have become NHL superstars. Detroit struck gold with these two, among many others they've drafted and, when looking at their track record, its hard to disagree that Europeans are the way to go when drafting.

BUT! (There's always a BUT) The 2007 Stanley Cup Champions, the Anaheim Ducks were helmed by one Mr. Brian Burke who has developed a reputation as being anti-European and pro-North American. When reviewing the 2007 Stanley Cup winning team roster we find three European players: Ilya Bryzgalov, Teemu Selanne and Sammy Pahlsson. The entire defense corps was Canadian, the Forwards consisted of four Americans, Selanne, Pahlsson and the rest were Canadian. There's no doubt that Teemu Selanne is and was a huge part of their offense, but, as we can see, clearly the European factor was almost non-existent, even with The Finnish Flash at the helm.

This year's Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins' heritage breakdown goes as follows: Europeans - 5, Americans - 4, Canadians - 13.

The point I'm trying to make is that, just because Detroit happens to have a helluva lot of Europeans and they're good, doesn't mean that one MUST have a Euro-centric team in order to win a Stanley Cup. Talent, skill, leadership, grit and heart can be found around the world, not just in Sweden.

When a team finds these diamonds in the rough, it is to be commended. However, Datsyuk and Zetterberg are most certainly rare players that flew well under the radar and Detroit got a huge return on their investment.

There have been attempts by other NHL teams to capture the same success with less thrilling results. (See: Brunnstrom, Fabian).

So, when the Sabres choose their 13th overall pick if its Simon Despres (D - Canada - St. John Sea Dogs) or Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D - Sweden - Leksand) I hope they choose the better player. Oliver gets my vote because he and Ryan Miller have the same birthday. This is my extremely scientific drafting process, I hope you enjoy it.

Game 7

by Anne

Someone's raising this bad boy over his head tonight

Game 7, 8:00pm

Oh Wow

by Anne

I'm hijacking the internet at my uncle's house. Yessss!

To recap the weekend in pictures:

Yay! We won 6-2!
Let's Go Pens!



Coach Q: I will shoot mustache lasers of death at that "Babcock" fellow
Ladder: Yo eff this I'm not going back out there.
Steeger: Is that really the score?
Buff: I'm re-evaluating my entire life...
Tazer: This is just the most horrifying thing I've ever seen.

Sad times for Chicago, but it reminds me so, so much of Detroit v Pittsburgh last year; young/old; experienced/inexperienced, etc. Young captain, on top of the world, the sweetheart team of the year, superstars and workhorses, a super young core of players, etc. etc.

The outcome's looking to be the same :/

The Playoffs Take a Long Time

by Anne

• The Boston Bruins completed a four game sweep of the Habs and advance to the semis. Carey Price made an arm gesture, but its his 100th birthday party, he'll cry if he wants too. The No Habs No mission is complete.

• Calgary won an exciting game at home against the Blackhawks. I'm torn about this series. I really dislike a lot of Flames (Bertuzzi, Jokinen, Kiprusoff, Coach Mike Keenan) but my dislike for them is all outweighed by my love for Jarome Iginla. So I can't decide. I certainly can't cheer against Iggy...

• David Backes and T.J. Oshie have joined Team USA, giving them 13 forwards. Mike Komisarek and Chris Higgins are available now, Team USA. I'm not saying... I'm just saying.

• Shane Doan has been named captain of Team Canada at the World Championships.

• The Washington Capitals are a huge disappointment thusfar this post-season. Varlamov has played well for them but this offense can't get the job done. I'm glad I found the Pens again, the Devils and Caps have not been nearly as stompy and destructive to their opponents as I would've liked them to be.

• S(h)ara and I watched Washington/New York. We were not thrilled at the outcome.
  

• If Mike Green wins the Norris, I quit hockey. I've heard many a writer and fan say he's not the most responsible in his end, and watching our games against the Caps this season, yeah, it would appear his DEFENSE isn't his strongest contribution. He scored a bunch of goals in a row. Woooo! That is not on the list of criteria for selecting a Norris winner.

• The Portland Pirates continue their playoff series against the Providence Bruins tonight after what seems like weeks off (their last game was Sunday). Providence currently leads the series 2-1. Come on Pirates!!!

• Also the Pirates will announce this afternoon that they're hosting the AHL All-Star Classic in 2010. Hooray! That would be more exciting to me if I lived in or around Portland, ME. We'll be whooping it up for you in Buffalo, AHL.

• Pittsburgh and Detroit (!) have the chance to advance to the semifinals tonight with wins over Philly and Columbus respectively. Anyone think that the lessened media attention on the Pens has done them favors during the second half of the season? Its been all Washington-Boston, etc. in the East thusfar, and the Pens are quietly dominating but its not getting as much play from the MSM. This might also be because Buffalo hasn't played Pittsburgh since November.

• Drew Stafford will totally be signed to an offersheet this summer. I've said it before, I'm saying it again.

• The San Jose/Anaheim series is what I feel a Boston/Buffalo series could've been like. Sad times.

• WizWear is pulling away from the pack in our poll to the left. Remember, you can vote as many times as you like.

TODD BERTUZZI IS ERIC NYSTROM'S FATHER?!?
Oh, wait, no.

Just a Thought

by Anne

I was going to write about the game and BloggerCon 2009 but instead I have to say the following:

If you're going to email me pictures of Sabres off of the ice, please do not straight-up admit that you stole the pictures from that player's sister's Facebook page.

None of these pictures are "bad" or anything, in fact they're kind of cute. They're of a Sabre chillaxing at home around Christmas time/ New Year's, and a baby picture. However, out of respect for that player, I will not post these pictures. If these dudes can't expect that pictures their sisters take of them at home will not be splattered around the blogosphere, what can they expect?

Not that this is some widely read publication and its not like I have any journalistic integrity (its a blog, not a newspaper) but I just feel like a creeper posting those. Feel free to email those snapshots to someone who might post them.

So if anyone who reads this blog has a brother who plays for the Sabres, maybe you might want to rethink your Facebook friend choices, or double check your picture availability stats.

The weird thing is that Cari and Kim and I were just talking about this very thing at JJ's tonight. Weirdness.

I openly welcome pictures of players out and about and doing things that are cute/funny/awkward, just not when its them at home with their family and the pictures aren't from some widely available public gallery.

I will recap that loss as: "barf" and thanks, Royzie and Millsy. Miller has had to face almost 100 shots in the last TWO games. ...yeah.

This lost just proves to me again that no, the Sabres are not an elite team. They were outshot 48-22 tonight. The Red Wings had more than DOUBLE the number of shots on goal the Sabres did. That's bad. Very bad. The Sabres had FOUR shots on goal in the entire 2nd period. What happened to this "put pucks on net and good things can happen" thing we had going on for a while? I liked that better.

I must say I really don't like watching Sabres games in a bar, haha. I've always known this but I frequently choose to ignore this fact in an attempt to be social. I'd rather watch the game on my couch with someone or someones who will limit the conversation to about the Sabres or the sport of hockey in general. If it weren't for the boobs, I'd think I was a boy sometimes.

Instead of the pictures that were emailed to me, I will instead post my all-purpose Danny Paille photo:

I know Danny, I can't believe it either

Everyone Loves San Jose So Much, They Forget Detroit is Really Scary Too

by Anne

All over the NHL, analysts are losing their minds over San Jose and Boston. As they should. Both teams had excellent first halves of the season and don't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. However, there's this pesky little team in Michigan that's not getting as much love. Last season was all about Detroit as they were destroying every team in sight, all the way to Lord Stanley in June.

League standings as of this afternoon, not including Boston's assured victory over Carolina (its 5-0 Bruins in the 2nd right now)

1. San Jose: 40 Games, 30-5-5, 65 pts
2. Boston: 41 Games, 30-7-4, 64 pts
3. Detroit: 40 Games, 28-7-4, 61 pts

The Red Wings are the highest scoring team in the league and lead the league in average goals per game. I'd say they'd warrant a little more air time than say, the collapse that's happening in Pittsburgh. Not that anyone is saying the Red Wings aren't good, but all the 'OMG THESE GUYS ARE INCREDIBLE' seems to be reserved for Boston and San Jose. Maybe its because its just assumed that Detroit is going to be awesome, and analysts are just tired of talking about how great Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Co. are.

Let's take a positive spin on the stats, shall we?

• Tonight could be the first time all season the Sabres win both games in back to back nights
  
• Detroit is 1-3-0 this season against North East Division opponents, including losing their season opener at home against the Maple Leafs
• Chris Butler will be back in the line-up tonight, Miller will get the start in front of the hometown crowd
• Just think, this time last year, we were mired in the midst of a 10 game win-less streak and Derek Roy had no shoulder and Drew Stafford had a concussion and Max had a groin injury... ok well somethings don't change
• We won the last regular season game we played at the Joe, a 3-2 shootout win in October of 2006 when we were also in the midst of a winning streak
• Uhhhhhh, Detroit is more dying than Buffalo
• Boston is currently cremating Carolina 5-0 in the 2nd, keeping them off our heels a little in the standings, provided Boston doesn't have the collapse of the decade.
• Someone decided referencing Robin Hood's lady love would be a good idea while discussing Marian Hossa's new place in Detroit:

I think this means Henrik Zetterberg is Robin Hood and Ray Shero is the Sheriff of Nottingham. Gary Bettman is clearly Prince John.

Another reminder about tonight's bloggers get-together and some clarification.

Technically we will be at J.J.'s Sports Bar which is in Casa di Pizza. Basically, when you walk into Casa, go in the door to the right where the bar is. Good times. Hopefully we'll see some of y'all there!

Watching Saturday's Game With Your Favorite Buffalo Bloggers

by Anne

So a bunch of we humble (translation: totally badass) bloggers will be getting together on Saturday the 10th to watch the Sabres play the Red Wings at 7:00.

There will be several Buffalo sports blogosphere superstars in attendance. Really, its like our All-Star Game. Maybe there might be a Superskills competition. Fastest typer? Who can photoshop Lindy Ruff's head onto the Incredible Hulk's body the fastest? Best nickname for Matt Ellis? Who can create a new Tim Connolly is always hurt joke? and the like.

We'll be at Casa di Pizza at the corner of Elmwood and Hodge for pizza and beverages. Fun shall be had by all. For those who like "specificity" the official address is 477 Elmwood Ave in Buffalo.

I'm afraid the game might be awful if the pre-season game was any indication so this way we can be distracted by pizza, alcohol and conversation if the game is too painful to endure. If by some miracle we win, think of all the jubliant celebration of overly-invested and slightly intoxicated sports bloggers.

Hope to see y'all there!

Almost Thanksgiving!

by Anne

So, as per usual I was bored last night and avoiding working on a paper so I tuned in for period 3 of the Canucks taking on Detroit. I don't know why, but every time I tune into a non-Sabres game its a thrilling OT finish.

Sami Saloooooo!!!! He was CRYING for that puck that entire power play in OT.

Big Bear left the game in the first with an injury :(

They showed me his picture but didn't tell me what was wrong with him!!!

AHHHHHH!!! SOPH JUST COMMENTED ON MY PREVIOUS POST WHILE I WAS WRITING THIS AND TOLD ME BIG BEAR COLLIDED WITH (former Red Wings WCB) BRETT LEBDA AND THAT CAUSED HIS INJURY.

Look, LEBDA, taking out STEVIE BEAR does NOT make you earn your spot back! In fact, you're so far OUT of your spot now that you shall NEVER retake it!! YER DEAD TO ME LEBDA. DEAD. TO ME. I SPIT ON YOU. PATOOEY. CAP'N LIDS! TAKE CARE OF THIS.

Notes: Salo returned after missing two games with the flu, but Vancouver lost RW Steve Bernier to an undisclosed injury midway through the first period. ...

Never has the word "undisclosed" caused me so much heartache and strife.

Thank goodness I named Ryan Kesler my Vice-Canucks WCB this afternoon. He was ready to fill in and gave some great effort for the team. And mostly, I'm sure, because he knew I was distraught over Steven and he wanted to give me something to smile about.

Anyway, the Canucks got a solid game out of Sanford and they gave him the win. They only had like 16 shots in regulation but they managed to get 2 past Osgood. Wooooo! Maybe Curtis Sanford will be the goalie equivalent of Matt Cassel. BTW, Matt Cassel= not in New England next season. Kansas City, Minnesota and a few other teams could use him. Right. Hockey.

Poor Ryan O'Byrne accidentally scored on his own empty net on a delayed penalty and basically gave the Islanders the game, as that goal tied it up at 3 and sent it to OT. I'd be scared for your life, Ryan. I'm sure the crowd in the Bell Centre was TOTALLY forgiving... :-/

Oh, I was wrong when I said Mason Raymond was the worst current hockey name. Blair Betts. So much worse. Brooks Orpik is up there too, except he was named after Herb Brooks which is the only thing that saves it for him.

STILL DEAD TO ME, LEBDA.

Today I bake a few pies in preps for Thanksgiving. Woooooo!! I've never made a pumpkin pie and I don't actually like pumpkin pie so this should be interesting.

My Love For the Pens Gets to Shine for a Night

by Anne

Bored and avoiding writing an outline for a final paper, I decided to watch the Pens take on the Red Wings tonight, assuming the Wings would make short work of the injury-riddled Pens. They suffered more woes as Rob Scuderi went down after taking a Lidstrom slapper off the ankle and Kris Letang was unaware of the "you're trying to STOP the other team from scoring" fundamentals of the game. The Pens were behind most of the game until Jordan Staal said "You know what? Screw this." and scored a hat trick to send the game to OT.

WHOA. That game was INTENSE. I joined the Puck Daddy live chat and it was pretty awesome, not gonna lie. I needed some intense hockey to lift my spirits with this lengthy break between Sabres games.

Jordan Friggin' Staal. Earlier in the night some jokers were talking trash about him, saying how he's been awful this season and then, look at that- a hat trick to shut them all up.

Rarely do games like these live up to their hype, but this one did just that and more. It was like a perfect metaphor for last season's cup finals: The Pens were outplayed and generally lackluster to start, but turned it up and gave a good run at the end, only this time, they WON.

WOO!!! Its not often I can get that worked up about a game in November that does not feature the Buffalo Sabres, but I was back in the playoffs again, living and dying on Jordan Staal's goal production.

This was the kind of game we were expecting from these two teams in the Finals: intense, fast, passionate, and high-scoring. If you recall, the Pens were shut out in the first TWO games of the Finals last season, causing Gary Bettman to weep openly at the one-sidedness of it all.

For those who might not be aware, the Pens rank a distant (but still beloved) 2nd in my hierarchy of favorite hockey teams, so I greatly enjoy watching them play, except when they beat the Sabres.... which I think they did 4 out of 4 times last season. Booooooooooo. I try not to take it personally.

Anyway, that game was totally wacky and I loved it. NOW, if only the Sabres can deliver up as much moxie tomorrow, I'll be a happy camper.

Woooo!

I'm a Little Slow

by Anne

I just put some things together that you've all probably already figured out.

FOLLOW ME:

The Buffalo Sabres played in the first Winter Classic on January 1, 2008. Duh. We all know this. I also got food poisoning that day. Good memories all around.

Brian Campbell scored Buffalo's only goal. I'm sure we all recall.

Brian Campbell plays for the Chicago Blackhawks now and he's being paid an obscene amount of money to do so.

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings will play in the next Winter Classic on January 1, 2009 at Wrigley Field.

Here's Soupy on the Hockey Show shilling the next Winter Classic and introducing a video from the last Winter Classic:

Soupy: Newest Blackhawk and Winter Classic goal scorer.
If you ignore the face and just look at his arms, its kind of ok.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume no one from the Blackhawks organization has seen this video:

HOW IRONIC.

The Soupster, the only Buffalo Sabre or Pittsburgh Penguin to be publicly caught bashing the Winter Classic is the only player from the first Winter Classic to be playing in the next one.

HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

THIS IS THE VERY DEFINITION OF IRONY.

Boo-YA

by Anne

Word up. I can also connect to the internet with the same password thingy that I could use in Chicago. $7 well spent.

Umm if only I had something to say.... hmmmmm.

I really want some coffee. I love coffee.

Yesssss. There's a girl? boy? (I can't tell) wearing a Pominville t-shirt. I think its a girl. Word up, I'm back amongst my kind. There's a restaurant here called "Slapshotz" in the Detroit airport, the first hockey reference I've seen in Hockeytown, USA.

For a hot second I contemplated buying a Michigan State tshirt and then I realized that's totally ridiculous. This is the 2nd time in my whole life I've been in the state of Michigan, the first was Monday.

A woman next to me is on the phone and she's kind of freaking out about something. She apparently is enroute to some city, maybe Buffalo, for something that she just found out was cancelled. Whoops.

So I entered like October - the begninng of February into iCal and I'm noticing a lot more gaps of like 3 and 4 days than we had this past season. Is this all in my head? We have a few weeks of a game Saturday and then not again until Wednesday. There are some longer road trips that seem a little crazy but who am I to judge the NHL's scheduling brilliance? January once again has some lengthy time on the road. But we'll get to see some IGGY! I really do like that we play all the teams now. It just makes sense that way. Woop! The "at large" thing is kind of weird, but eh? I don't particularly care one way or the other.

Anyway, I have nothing of relevance to say other than I'm still excited about Pie and I'm glad to be heading back to Buffalo. Wooohoooo! See y'all in Buffalo right soon!

It's Really Over This Time

by Anne

Pens lost.


Boo.


Silver lining! Silver lining!

I'm glad it was the Red Wings and not, say, the Sharks or the Ducks, or good GOD, the Rangers or the Flyers. The Pens are the only team in the East that could've made that an exciting series, and they did. I hope that they're not feeling down about themselves. While I'm sure they're disappointed (duh), they put up a hell of a fight, and made the Red Wings work for it.

Oh well. RIP Ryan Whitney's POB 2008. How I loved thee.


More silver lining, from a Sabres' perspective:

Since the moment I saw that there is a Draft Day Party at HSBC Arena and decided to drag the young cousins and the Mom along, I've been feeling surprisingly chipper about our boys in blue and gold. It just served as a reminder that they're still here, and they really will be back next season. During the 9 WEEKS of the playoffs, it felt like I'd never see Derek Roy's shining face again. Since the Worlds ended I feel like Drew Stafford no longer exists. Pommer? Did you visit Mama Pup in Quebec? GOOSE! How's the hernia? Yoyo? The wrist? Ok? TEPPO!!! HOW IS YOUR HEART? MY HEART'S HEALTH IS SURPRISINGLY AKIN TO YOUR OWN. Timmy? Boned anyone worth mentioning lately? Petey! How are the wedding plans going? Britney! What have you had gold-plated recently?We all know how Millsey is, he tells is in is B-L-O-G. How kind of him. If he could only update us on the rest of his Sabre brethren, I'll be eternally grateful.

Anyone else going to the Draft Day Party? We should meet up and laugh at the players we mock/love so dearly. Now we find ourselves in the throes of the off-season. Just take a few deep breaths, it'll all be ok.

We all know Tri ain't comin' back, and Max might be on the trade block. Now in the clear light of the off-season, who do you think is gonna get the axe? I mean, if we all want Nathan Gerbe in the blue and gold come October, someone is, or a few someones are going to have to get their walking papers. Mike Ryan? (Sorry M.J.) Pie-YAY? (I think I'll die) Max? (WOO!).


Hope springs eternal for the Sabres fan.


Vote in our Klassy weekly poll, peeps!

GAME 5 REALLY DID END!

by Anne

At least I don't have a big-girl job anymore, so staying up all the way for the end of the game wasn't such a big deal.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

MAXIME TALBOT AND PETR SYKORA!!!! WOOOOOOO!!!!!

Sykkie declared he'd score the game winner and he DID. Hahahahahahaha.

Playing with nothing to lose looks good on most teams (See: Last game of the season, 2008, Buffalo Sabres).

Sigh.

Next game Wednesday, 8:00 in the Igloo.

It's happened before:

Let's go Pens! Let's go Sid! Let's all stop talking about how Geno can't hit the broadside of a barn! Woo!

Yay!

Ryan Whitney's Playoff Beard is Crying

by Anne

It's chestnut, it's auburn, it's red, its blonde. Ryan Whitney's playoff beard has the makings of one of the greats. This is the first time we've gotten to see it go the distance. I'd like to see it come back again. However, not at the expense of the Sabres. Never. Although... if he became a Sabre....

Whatev. They gave it a good go. It's not over yet... buuuuuut.....yyyyeeeahhh.....

Onto my new love: totally obscure baseball teams whose successes and failures have no bearing on my well-being.

Tampa Bay won 2-0 today. Woo. Suck on THAT, White Sox.

Scott Kazmir set a club record with his 5th win in the month of May. His ERA is now 1.22 which was described in one article as "astonishing".

Here's what I've learned: I know "wins" are "good" and a record number of "wins" means you play "well" so, since his ERA of 1.22 was mentioned in the same breath as "record" and "wins" and not as in "in spite of his 1.22 ERA", this leads me to believe a low ERA is "good" and that 1.22 is "low". I'm a genius. They have one pitcher with a 6.14 ERA, I'm guessing that's "bad".

They are STILL atop the AL East, 1 game ahead of Boston and now 6 games ahead of the Yankees who've moved from 5th to 4th.

I found a site that explains baseball abbreviations. For example "SO" does not mean "Shut Out" it means "STRIKE out" and "TP" means "Triple Plays" not "Toilet Paper". Look out, baseball world! Soon I will have a vague pedestrian understanding of the way you list your statistics! Then I shall be unstoppable!!! Muahahahahhahah!!!

First Stephanie from Top Chef, now the Rays. Looks like things I choose to throw my support behind for no good reason tend to excel. I should move away from Buffalo and pretend I've never heard of hockey, and start supporting the Sabres, maybe that'll help.

Back to hockey, briefly:

I realized last night that I'm secretly glad that the Penguins are losing.

Ok, ok, hear me out, PensNation.

For me, their downward slide is more annoying than catastrophically painful. It doesn't carry the same gut-wrenching agony that a Sabres loss provides. Therefore, it merely serves as a somewhat unpleasant reminder of where my heart truly belongs.

So, Sidney, while I'm sorry you more than likely will not be hoisting that Cup later this week, I'm not sorry that you've help to set me back on track earlier rather than later. Sorry, Sid! You'll get there someday, I'm sure of it. Love ya!

Uhhhhhhh

by Anne

Red Wings 4 - Penguins 0, Detroit leads series 1-0.

Yuck.

So after 2 periods of some pretty excellent defensive play, we were finally treated to that offensive bonanza we had been promised for so many days. However, the only team "bonanza-ing" was the Detroit Red Wings. The Pens just seemed stunned. Grrrrrrreeeaaaaat. Getting shut out is not cool. Not cool at all. We're gonna chalk it up to nerves and an unfamiliar building and call it a day. A very frustrating, painful, irritating day.

But! We don't give up! We soldier on! Monday night they have a chance to redeem themselves. I don't care how many stats they pull out about the winning of the first game stats. They aren't out of this thing yet. Not by a longshot. As The Pensblog pointed out, if you picked the Pens to win in more than 4 games, they're gonna have to lose a couple along the way. It's ok. Don't worry.

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Private to Marc-Andre Fleury:

Flower, you're still ok in my book. People will mock you for face planting whilst entering the ice for the game, I personally appreciated the humor of the moment. I was probably the only one that wasn't a Red Wings fan who enjoyed it.

Please try to stay on your feet more often, and keep your mask on.

Love,
Anne

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Private to Sidney Crosby:

Your long curly locks, creepy facial hair and awkwardly tan Miami Vice-style suit should have repulsed me. However, for some reason, they endeared you to me. I still don't love you, but the fact that I can overlook your obvious poor grooming choices at the age of 20, means we're on the road towards real HockeyLove. Now, if you could please score some of those goals you're so DREADFULLY fond of, I'd appreciate it. Hey, I'm not picky, you can set up Hossa or Dupuis. You can even set up Gonch or Bugsy or Geno on the PP if you want to get fancy. My love has put the Tampa Bay Rays at the top of their division, I think it can do the same for you.

Did Steve Yzerman make you nervous? Was it Unkie Mario? It's ok, Sid. You'll pull it together. Let's be honest, if anyone can, you can.

Love,
Anne

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Private to the Tampa Bay Rays:

I picked you as my baseball team over Easter weekend when it was made apparent that there was no hockey played over the summer; a fact I forget every April. I picked you because I liked your logo and, as MK put it "This team sounds like a bunch of dirty crooks." Multiple bench clearing brawls? Domestic battery charges? This sounds like my kind of team. That, and they suck.

You're only 1/2 game behind Boston for the AL East lead. The same division that now sees the monster Yankees in 5th.

I'm taking all credit for your successes. My love can move mountains. All I really wanted was your first winning season it team history, and you've taken my request and just run with it. Thanks. That's very sweet of you. I still can't name a single one of your players. I'll work on that. Maybe Vinny and I can go to one of your games and laugh about how if a team as bad as the Rays can turn it around, surely the Lightning can do the same next season. We'll share a soft pretzel and start the wave. It'll be sublime.

Love,
Anne