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.