Sabres vs. Caps – 12.9.09

First Period

- Oh, the weather outside is frightful…and I hope I have power and internet for the rest of the night. The wind is whipping mightily outside beautiful SOtC Estates, but there is no snow yet. On the positive side, at least my laundry is done so I have clean pants to wear to work tomorrow. I will be 19 kinds of pissed if the power goes off before 11pm. Tonight is the final episode of Glee until April and the Top Chef finale. (On a related Glee note, I think it’s incredible that Barry Manilow is slated to guest star in the spring and Idina Menzel is in talks as well. I’ve been humming “Copacabana” and “Over The Moon” since I read about these two on EW. Talk about an odd juxtaposition. Heh.)

- Per Mike Harrington, Sekera and his wonky ankle are in, Paetsch is again relegated to the origami swan factory in the press box with Goose and Butler. (While we’re on the subject of scratches, has there been any word on Mama Grier? Thoughts and prayers are with her and the entire Grier family.)

- Miller is again starting in goal tonight.

- Montador rips a shot from the point and it gets past Theodore. There is initially some discussion about whether Gerbe tipped it, but the goal is credited to Montador. 1-0, Sabres.

- I love the Honda commercial that shows the dog race in the snow. The dogs look so happy to be out running.

- Per the Sabres Twitter feed, Teppo is in the press box tonight, doing some scouting for the Finnish national team.

- And for the love of pete, Princess Permapout (aka Danica Patrick) hasn’t even raced in NASCAR yet and she’s already been named the second most powerful woman in the sport? Eff me. If I were Delana Harvick or Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, I’d have a thing or six to say about that. I need a “roll eyes” smiley right about now.

- Vanek makes a nice play by going after Ovechkin rather than the puck and manages to distract Ovie into turning over the puck in the Buffalo zone. Very nice play, TV.

Second Period

- A wonderful stat flashes on the screen that the Caps are 2-0 when trailing after 1. Oh goody.

- Pommers fans on a gorgeous scoring opportunity on a wide open net after the puck takes a little hop shortly before it arrives to him from Lydman. Lydman, for his part, did a wonderful little dipsy doodle to keep from turning over the puck.

- I’m cracking up at the photo on Getty showing Ovie and Backstrom sitting on a dumpy old couch in the bowels of HSBC Arena watching their teammates play soccer. These two guys looks like they’re sitting on something that should be found in the basement of Faber College’s Delta House.

- Gerbe deflects the puck off of Theodore. 2-0, Sabres.

- Great8 – or Grape Ape, as he is known in other parts of the internet – is sent off for diving. Roy-Z is sent off for tripping. Oh, the irony, as our sweet little Roy-Z is usually the one sent off for diving.

- Tallinder buries the puck in the net after a coast to coast rush. I’ll give you a moment to let that sink in. Better now? Please note that this is Tallinder’s second goal of the season and it again featured a real live goalie in the net. It’s still not the awesomest goal Tallinder has ever scored, though.

3-0, Sabres.

- As the period ends, Harry Neale is waxing poetic about the Sabres 2-0 lead and how if they hold onto it, they’ll win. RJ just calmly butts in and tells Harry that it’s 3-0, that it’s alright that he goofed up, since the Sabres scored no goals on Monday night.

Third Period

- The Acme Brain Trust known as “The Whip” is debating whether or not Marty Brodeur is the greatest goalie ever. While this is a great discussion topic, it’s  I’m pretty sure that Patrick Roy’s introduction at the Montreal Centennial ceremony made reference to him being the best goalie ever. And you really can’t argue about Hasek’s prowess in net. But, if you boil it down to statbits and records, then you have a compelling argument to name Marty the best goalie ever. It is a matter of opinion and personal preference. While I think Goose may be the heart and soul of the Sabres, there are others out there for whom Goose is not their cup of tea.

- Wow, another fanfuckingtastic save from Miller comes while I’m off reading one of my high school classmate’s articles on nytimes.com. (I’m not bitter. No. I’m. Not.) Miller swept across the crease to grab the puck and ends up sliding onto his back like a turtle that’s been flipped over onto it’s shell.

- I feel like tonight has been a good team effort. While Vanek has missed a couple of quality opportunities, there’s been great goaltending, solid play from the defense and decent play from the forwards.

- In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the annual “Gaustad bakes cookies with the kiddos” video. We do need to have a discussion regarding his choice of headwear. Yankees apparel is unacceptable, unless he is wearing a Yankees hat so that he doesn’t dirty up any of the hats of his favorite team?

- It is now snowing at SOtC Estates.

- The game ends with Miller getting an honest to goodness shutout and not a “Ryan Miller shutout.” I like games that end with a real shutout and not a Crunchy special. It’s a nice rebound from the 3-0 shutout the boys endured the other night.

Now onto the Blackhawks on Friday…

Bad Moon Rising

I wondered last night if we were due for a full moon, and I was correct. The ride home from work featured an absolutely beautiful, glowing full moon set against a pitch black sky. Why was I wondering this? Let’s take a look at all of the oddities from the past 24 hours…

- Snow plows completely randomly not plowing sections of roads. Taking my mother to work caused me to navigate sections of Walden that were plowed / unplowed / plowed again…all in the same lane. It took me 50 minutes to get from her office in Cheektowaga to my office near the airport. That’s a ride that normally takes 15, including a run through Timmy Hos. If this is how the rest of the winter is going to go, it’s going to be a mighty long one.

- Ballard “unintentionally doinking” (™ @BNHarrington) Vokoun during last night’s Panthers game. I get “frustration”, and I get “wrong place, wrong time”, but why would you even consider whaling away at the post with your goalie right there? I know he’s wearing a hard plastic mask and steps in front of speeding, frozen vulcanized rubber on a regular basis, but still, safety first.

- Continuing with the unintentional doinking, Ryan Miller took out the camera dude ensconced in the photo hole behind the glass. Just when you thought Miller expressing concern for the guy’s condition was icing on the cake, he goes and gives his stick to the guy after the game.Classy guy all the way around.

- Henrik Tallinder scored on a goalie after Heather B. called it.

- I tripped across the most random – and hilariously disgusting sentence – incorporating the various search/social media. hey baby, wanna come over to myspace and twitter my yahoo ’til I google all over your facebook? Yeah, wrong and hysterical at the same time.

- Ovechkin knee-on-knee collided with Carolina’s Gleason, causing Ovie to bruise his knee. The league reacted and suspended Ovie today for the next two Caps games. I’m sure that Ovie’s comments after today’s practice were causing some poor Caps PR person untold grief while at the same time giving journalists and bloggers fodder for a good long time. While I do think it’s about time that Ovie was sent for a time out, I do have to wonder how much of the decision to suspend him was driven by the conversations being had by fans and media regarding ugly hits and a player’s “superstar” status versus being driven by the single action taken by Ovechkin last night? Also, how much is Ovechkin really going to learn from his suspension if he’s not going to change his style of play? I know that I joke about it being all fun and games until someone loses an eye, but it would be completely ridiculous if it came to that. I know there’s a lot of people out there who like Ovie because he has a spark of life and rides the line unlike other NHL superstars (Hi Sid!), but there’s a fine line between joie de vivre and utter recklessness. Sadly, Ovie rides the reckless side of the line a little too often.

- Eleanor Waldorf’s lawyer on last night’s Gossip Girl was named after John Larroquette’s character on The West Wing. That was all kinds of awesome.

- Marty Brodeur’s descriptions of his American teammates “helping” him study for the US citizenship exam kind of  make me scared for what answers these guys were actually providing as answers to the questions.I do think it’s pretty cool that Marty is teaching all of his kids French while they are still young. I wish I had picked up a language while I was younger or kept up with either Italian or Spanish after college. Right now I know enough of both to be dangerous and confuse myself. And while I know it’s impossible because Marty has played for Canada in the past, how freaking amazing would a goalie tandem of  Brodeur and Miller be for Team USA?

Look! It’s Real Hockey(ish) Played By Real Hockey Players

I went to Puck Drop today, and this wordy, photo filled post summarizes my day. Carry on at your own risk.

What Was That?

It was entirely too cold in my house to even think about leaving the comfort of my warm blanket to blog during/after last night’s Sabres game. (Alright, the cold was more of an excuse to cover the “during”, and “sleep” is the excuse to cover the “after”.)

- Why did it seem like Derek Roy was the only forward out there who seemed like his give a damn wasn’t busted? Timmy would also fall a close second in this category. Both of them were extremely noticeable in a good way last night. I will also admit to being concerned every time Timmy went flying across the ice, as I envisioned him injuring himself while doing so. It’s going to take awhile before the Tim Connolly Cringe Factor calms down to normal hockey player levels.

- Let’s not even discuss the travesty that was the 6 minute power play. Six minutes and only one shot. One god damn shot (and yes I can say god damn on my blog, even if you can’t say it on the radio) in six minutes. Sheesh. A team of Timbits could have probably done better.

- Which also brings me to the debacle that was the four-on-one last night. Goose was leading the rush up the left side of the ice and can’t get the blasted pass off. I’m thinking that non-pass trumps any good that may have come from his scrappiness last night.

- I will also admit to wishing that I had my laptop open to play Pominville Bingo during Pommer’s intermission interview last night.

- At least the intermission feature on Tallinder was nice. Mrs. Tallinder and the Lil Tallinders looked absolutely adorable in the photos shown. It’s almost enough to make you ask why he almost threw that all away during his little third man in deal a couple of years ago.

- Stafford did have a nice clean check on Duncan Keith last night. About darn time the little punk hit someone. I also noticed that Chicago seemed to make it their personal mission to target Stafford after that hit. Where was the same spunk and determination out of the Sabres after Mair was cross checked into the bench on a line change? I realize Mair was giggling about it afterward, but where were his teammates to stick up for him? RJ was more incensed about it that some of the players on the ice.

- It may have been my poor eyesight, but was Miller not seated on the Sabres bench last night? Does the United Center require visiting backup goalies to be exiled to backup goalie purgatory? Based on what I read pre-game, I was half expecting Miller to pull a Marty and start trash talking from the bench.

I hope an entirely different team shows up against Dallas tonight. If not, the good people of Buffalo may revolt against this team.

Newsflash: A Hockey Game is 60 Minutes Long

Not 50. Or 51:43. Someone really, really needs to communicate that critical fact to the Buffalo Sabres. Last night’s game was just ridiculous in that the Sabres watched a lead get right the heck away from them. They retreated into their shells, and tried to protect their lead, but guess what, it didn’t work. Has it worked the past 37 times they’ve tried it? NO! So why do they keep doing it?

I honestly wouldn’t blame Lindy if after the game he had told the players they were walking back from Pittsburgh. Maybe a nice hike through some remote areas in cold weather would wake some of these guys the heck up.

- I was really, really amused by Miller deciding to spear Jordan Staal in the bits. Yes, I know its unsportsmanlike and maybe Miller didn’t react in the best way to people being in his personal space. But the Penguins had been taking liberties with him all night, shooting the puck at him after whistles, banging away in the crease, etc. But none of his teammates were standing up for him while these liberties were being taken, so I really don’t blame Miller for taking matters into his own hands, if you will.

- Did Tallinder step into Lindy’s dog house again? Every other defenseman played well over 18 minutes (with Rivet and Lydman breaking the 21 minute barrier) while Tallinder was just a hare under 13:30.

- I love the look of intense concentration on Miller’s face in this shot:

At least he showed up for most of the game.

- I watched Sandra Lee’s Semi-Homemade Thanksgiving Leftover Bonanza this morning. I know that when I have my fellow lushes, I mean “friends,” over for Thanksgiving leftovers, I always make sure to tell them what I’m wearing so that we all can be color coordinated to each other, the kitchenscape and the tablescape. I’m still in horror over what she did to that leftover turkey, as well as shuddering at the thought of mixing mashed potatoes and green bean cassorole together for dumpling filling.

Dancing With Henrik

Today’s practice notes on sabres.com contained this gem:

The Sabres enjoyed a laugh at the expense of defenseman Henrik Tallinder following practice.

As players entered the locker room, a video of the blueliner’s goal looped to Chubby Checker’s version of “The Twist.”

Tallinder scored a goal for the first time since March 15, 2008 in last night’s win against the Blues, and celebrated with an unconventional move.

“He’s never going to want to score again” Clarke MacArthur quipped after seeing the video.

“I just can’t stop watching it,” Jason Pominville added. “It’s hilarious.”

Here’s the link to the video of Tallinder’s little jig. Twist music not included. I can just imagine Pommers standing in front of that ginormous TV set in the locker transfixed by the whole thing.

Tallinder didn’t do a bad job of moving his hips and staying in rhythm. Could an appearance on Dancing With the Stars be in his future, once his playing career is over?

Also worth noting from the team today is that Peters was given the ceremonial pigeon for his performance in last night’s game.

And Timmy has a bruised chest, but no head trauma after last night’s hit from Tkachuk. I would bet that he doesn’t play tomorrow but plays on Saturday, but only time will tell.

Rocky Mountain High…Kind Of

- I can’t complain about the Sabres start to the season. While it would be nice if they could finish a game off in regulation time, I really can’t quibble over the fact that they have earned a point in every single game that they have played so far. 8 games and 14 points is nothing to sneeze at. That puts them at #2 in the league behind the Rangers. While I’m sure I’ll be swearing at the boys during January and February, I’m just content now to sit back and watch things develop.

- I do think Ryan Smyth was effective at throwing Miller off his game, leading to the Avs goal in regulation. Miller was in quite the snit during the game, and it looks like the snit continued after the game, if his postgame comments were any indication.

When he comes by and twists me out of position … tipped puck or whatever, that’s a slow-moving puck that I would have reached if I’d been set. I have no idea why he’s allowed to do it. I had the ice. I was there first. Don’t touch me.”

I think this is where the team missed Rivet’s presence. We’ve all see him go after people who take liberties with Miller’s personal space. Last night could have used a little bit of that.

- I would not be surprised if Mike Weber was called up from Portland for tomorrow night’s game against Ottawa. The Sabres are already down to six defensemen, and losing Tallinder to a laceration didn’t help things last night. Even if Tallinder is cleared to go, I can really see the team having Weber on standby. And besides, the last time someone on the team had a “laceration,” that person missed the final two-and-a-half months of the regular season with a lacerated tendon.

And speaking of defensemen, I do think that Paetsch has played well these past two games. Not bad for a guy who’s main role this season is probably going to be a pressbox resident.

- Is anyone else mildly curious about the “interior decorating” that JM Liles helped Miller out with? Are these two closet HGTV fiends, discussing paint colors and hardware? Or are they just mucking around?

- I really liked Bucky’s latest column in today’s paper. I’m glad that Rivet is settling into Buffalo and realizing that there’s more to us than some boarded up old buildings and EB Green’s steakhouse. And is it me, or is Bucky trying to be more positive lately? I know the season is still young, and there’s plenty of criticism left to be wrote, but the amount of “up” writing so far this season is impressive.

Puck Drop Report

WARNING – PHOTO HEAVY, WORDY POST AHEAD!

I just got back from Puck Drop, and it was so nice to see actual hockey being played. Even though it was just a scrimmage, and there was no hitting, it was good to see the scoring, the skating and the creativity on the ice.

Hockey, Its Good To See You Again!

I fully admit to having edited the above photo in Picasa. The flash of my camera was having a blast catching the reflective stripes on the jerseys. Making the photo black-and-white really made the stripe pop.

Whee! That Was Fun

- Did Max hear Lindy screaming at Tri and decide to take his advice to heart? Seriously, that was one of the best games I’ve seen from Max in a heck of a long while. I’m impressed that he managed to find the 1/8th of an inch space between Marty and the post on his second goal.

- Speaking of Lindy and Tri, the Buffalo News sheds more light on their little conversation yesterday. Lindy used Tri as the mindfuck for the entire team. Scream at the guy in front of the team and make them realize that Tri could be them. Absolutely brilliant! I also love John Vogl’s description of a pissed off Lindy:

“The mouth tightens between spurts of profanities. The eyes squint, as if trying to send out daggers. Then, after his head angrily turns away for a moment, the scrunched face and squint return. The index finger points in the face of the person who’s drawn his ire.”

That makes Lindy sound like someone you wouldn’t want to run across in a dark alley.

What the Honk? Vol. 2

I figured I shouldn’t swear in my headline at least.

What in sam hill happened last night? The team played a meh first period, a decent second period, and an absolutely horrid third period. That’s not the way to win hockey games. How many times do we have to go through this?

Then I read in the paper this morning that the team was “scared” to play in the third period. What the honk? Lindy, what is going on in that locker room?

I did like the fire I saw out of Miller in his postgame interview. From tossing the water bottle to not wanting to see Kessel’s smirk to indirectly calling out his teammates while not excusing himself. Very nice. I hope some asses were kicked and some names taken.

Also, why was Kalinin the only Sabre who gave a honk when Miller kept getting repeatedly roughed up in his own crease? Granted, Kalinin only stepped up once, but it was a good penalty to take.

Poor Staffy. Getting broken again by Chara. Any Chara-phiphanies that were had were sadly lost by his injuring Staffy.

Why did Golisano’s interview sound more like he was explaining life to the simpletons, rather than an honest interview about the status of the team?

Its not good when a game leaves you with more questions than answers.

Updated to add: I think its awesome that Hank has Bach’s “Air on G String” on his game playlist. Its a beautiful piece of music (and one I have in my iTunes), but there is something ironic about the guy with the sordid past having a song with that title in his playlist. However, any awesomeness about Bach was immediately canceled out by having Ace of Base on his list.