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?

Sabres vs. Flames – 11.13.09

First Period

- The game hasn’t even started and I have a headache. I just spent five minutes explaining to my mother why a certain blogger whose name rhymes with Blecklund is full of it. She said one of her co-workers heard that Mair was waived and Paille traded so that Satan could come back to Buffalo, because apparently he is eager to come back here. The Google sourced that back to Blecklund. However, couldn’t Satan not wait to get the heck out of Buffalo? Why would he come back?

- Ryan Miller’s thoughts on hits to the head (found in today’s Buffalo News) were extremely well articulated and thoughtful, as are most things that he says. I agree that something needs to be done to legislate and moderate hits to the head. Who cares if it’s a star or a lowly third-or-fourth liner doing the hitting, it all needs to be dealt with the same way. Hits in and of themselves are good. Hits to the head are bad. I also like that Miller went out on the limb of saying that the league needs to deal with real issues (hits to the head) instead of media-negotiated issues like goalie gear. Not many players these days are willing to step out on that ledge of calling out the league, and honestly it’s refreshing.

- Langkow puts the puck past Miller.  The Sabres fan side of me is pissed that the goal went in, but Langkow is on the roster of the Two-Eyed Pea Brains, so at least my fantasy team makes out in the deal. 1-0, Flames.

- The Flames last won in Buffalo 13-years ago. That is not a reassuring sign for tonight’s game. I’m feeling a 8-2 blowout, with the Flames coming out on the favorable side.

- So who peed in Adam Mair’s cornflakes today? It’s been a heck of a long time since I’ve seen him that feisty. Is it a subtle eff off to Sabres management or an attempt to spark the team? RJ reports that the fight with Prust took 42 seconds from start to finish. That’s impressive for a hockey fight.

- Buffalo ends up with a power play as one Flame is in the box for hooking and another Flame is in the box for doing something bad during a 9 player scrum in front of the net. I didn’t know you could fit that many people in such a small area. Then again, if we could fit 13-people into a latrine stall at Camp Seven Hills during a game of Sardines, I suppose 9 people could fit in a goalie crease.

- I fully expect Kaleta to go through the glass one of these nights and end up in some lady’s lap in the third row. He tried to line up Jokinen and then a minute later, got a piece of Regehr. The hits might not have landed, but the glass sure got a good rattle.

- Rob Ray reports that Pat Kaleta is officially off Brent Sutter’s Christmas card list, as Sutter spent a good chunk of time expressing his opinion to the refs about Kaleta’s playing style. Sadly, it apparently used words not fit for a family forum. (Profanity? In hockey? Hard to believe, right?)

- WHOOO! Roy-Z pops the puck past Kipper on the power play. Tied at 1-1.

- The Sabres currently have the advantage in SOG: 17-4.

- All in all, it was a pretty decent first period. The Sabres shot the puck, skated with the Flames, were feisty with the Flames, and didn’t let a team of Calgary’s caliber roll over them.

Second Period

- I’m incredibly amused by the RJ holiday card. That thing would be fun to have around. Though RJ dressed as Santa (hopefully with the Stanley Cup in the gift bag) is much better than RJ dressed as a 50s girl.

- The Sabres spend a good chunk of the first part of this period on the penalty kill, as Hecht and Rivet are both sent to the box for assorted misdeeds.

- Miller was just run over by one of the Flames and retaliates – without penalty – with a couple of well-thrown swings of his blocker. At first glance, I thought he was trying to hit the Flame in the bits, but the replay showed otherwise. I can only imagine how cranky Miller is going to be in his postgame interview tonight.

- Staffy, I don’t care if it’s your 200th game tonight, you owe Ryan a nice, frosty cold one after he stopped the Flames breakaway that happened because of your giveaway at the other end of the ice. Hell, you can even split the cost of the nice, frosty cold one with the rest of your teammates…who haven’t managed to get a shot on goal AT ALL yet this period.

- Gaustad and Phaneuf fight. Well, I wouldn’t call it a fight so much as I would call it a wrestling match. There was more grappling than punching. Both gentlemen are sent off for five minutes, only Goose is sent to the locker room with a nice chorus of “Gooooooooose.”

- The Flames win the SOG battle in the second at 12-3. The game is still tied at one.

Third Period

- As has been reported on Twitter and Sabres Edge, there is a gentleman wearing a Gumby suit sitting behind the benches. I have to wonder how this dude got the Gumby head past arena security. I get gruff for having a granola bar in my purse, but I guess a Gumby head is alright to have. (ETA: Check out Top Shelf for the single best piece of camera work to date by the Sabres.)

- I have to wonder if Roby and K-Syl coordinated their wardrobes tonight. Both are wearing pinstripe suits, pastel colored shirts and swirly-patterned ties.

- I’d love to be able to eavesdrop on Gaustad and Phaneuf’s conversations tonight. They look like they could be mighty entertaining. I’m sure they’re just exchanging recipes for Thanksgiving or discussing the best way to get blood out of a hockey sweater.

- Iginla tries to jam himself between Roy-Z and the goal post and takes the post, net and Miller all off their moorings. That might leave a bit of a bruise on Miller in the morning.

- The 30th anniversary patch on the Flames sweater is huge and incredibly distracting. A patch is only good if it’s subtle, in my opinion.

- Phaneuf heads off to the dressing room after blocking a shot right at the end of the third period.

Overtime

- So my 8-2 blowout prediction was wrong. And that’s why I don’t bet on sports…except for the $20 I gave the ‘rents to put on the Sabres for the Cup at the Vegas sportsbook.

- Pommers has a nice chance in the opening seconds of overtime, but misses. The story of Pommers play lately, I guess.

- Jokinen gets sent to the box for tripping Myers. There’s something extra fun and suspenseful about the power play in overtime. So far, the power play has generated some shots, a lot of non-rebounds, and a Roy-Z sliding into Miller. When all is said and done, Calgary blocked four shots on the power play.

- And Miller has a little tuft of hair coming out of one of the air vents in his helmet. It’s kind of adorable, like something you see on a little kid.

Shootout

- Dawes, Jokinen and Iginla for Calgary shooting against Connolly, Roy and Myers for Buffalo.

Timmy misses.

Dawes misses.

Roy-Z! Top shelf!

Jokinen makes it through the five hole.

Myers misses.

Iginla misses.

Pommers increases the population of Pominville!

Miller stops Bourque cold. And the villagers…namely the Sabres players…rejoice!

Oh Marty.

- While discussing how scrappy Marty was last night, Miller noted that he wouldn’t be able to ever participate in a goalie scrap with Marty for the following reason.

“I wouldn’t even be able to stop laughing to even throw a punch at him,” Miller said.

But remember the Marty / Emery brawl featured the two of them laughing hysterically at each other.

- Also, has Pat Kaleta never heard of a washing machine? He threw out all his bedding to remove any traces of the flu? Patty, honey, it’s called detergent, hot water and this fun little machine that you might have in your basement. Then again, if you need help picking out new bedding, I have the Ikea catalogue at the ready. Call me!

- Sully hops on the bring Marty back to Buffalo train.  Also, I really don’t buy his hypothesis that Lalime cost the Sabres a playoff spot last spring. Lalime was just one of several issues last spring. It’s all water under the bridge now, but if Lalime continues to have a wonky groin and Enroth doesn’t play well while he’s up here, then something probably would need to be done. Despite popular opinion, Miller can’t play every night. The more he plays without rest, the higher his chances for injury get.

Sabres vs. Islanders – 11.4.09

Pregame

-  The Sabres have recalled Jhonas Enroth from Portland as Patrick Lalime is battling a groin injury.

- Ralph Lauren is starting to reveal the US Olympic Team attire for the Vancouver games. What’s pictured in the below screen capture from my e-mail is the closing ceremony attire. Please try and imagine a certain goalie in said apparel.

The sweater looks like something my high school English teacher lived in.

- Marty Biron is back in town, and he reveals that he and his wife are expecting a little girl. There’s a joke about getting slipping one past the goalie here. I just can’t find it.

- Today is the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street. All together now…

Sunny day, sweeping the clouds away

On my way to where the air is sweet

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

First Period

- Whee! Bradley Whitford is going to be back on my television again. I f’love Bradley Whitford. Even with that unfortunate dye job he had in Billy Madison.

-It’s still early in the game, but so far it’s miles better than Saturday night’s fiasco. There’s an energy about the guys that wasn’t there on Saturday. Saturday felt like they were just doing a piss poor imitation of going through the motions.

- Gaustad apparently is feeling much better, as he’s back to his regular role as a dancing bear in front of the opponent’s net.

- Roy-Z finally scores…in the hockey arena that is. Roy fires a shot from the top of the faceoff circle while Vanek is playing dancing bear in front of Marty. In the celebration, the Sabres played Chelsea Dagger. Is every team going to be ripping off the Blackhawks now? 1-0, Sabres.

- Kaleta is the victim of a very nice hip check so he “retaliates” by shoving the Islanders defenseman into Marty who then comes out of his crease after Kaleta and tries to love him, hug him and call him George. When all is said and done, the Islanders are on the power play. Kaleta and Stafford are sitting in the penalty box, the latter looking very bumfuzzled as to why he is there. I wonder if he is the Sabres designated penalty bitch?

- The Islanders again send the Sabres to the power play, as Sim was a very bad boy and held, hooked or grabbed a Sabre. That vague description of the penalty was brought to you by our astute color commentator Harry Neale.

- Who peed in Marty Biron’s cornflakes tonight? He’s been a feisty little devil, going after Kaleta and then Rivet. Not sure what caused him to go after Rivet, as the camera was focused on MacArthur slowly getting up after he was clobbered from behind and into the goal post.

- The Sabres spent a heck of a long time on the power play. I almost became one of those people yelling “Shoot” while the Sabres put on a passing clinic during the power play.

- Random Sesame Street video to end the period with…

Second Period

- Both teams appear to be exceptionally chatty tonight as there’s a lot of chatter coming from the ice. Most of it isn’t fit for mixed company.

- So I think I left my iPod playing at my desk when I left for the day. I pray that it doesn’t shuffle to “Put It in My Mouth” or anything else controversial while the cleaning guy is in the area.

- The Sabres get a giggle out of me for playing the Miami Vice theme song during a stoppage in play. Miami Vice was such a good, cheesy show. They generally don’t make shows like that any more.

- Sekera gets out of the penalty box and tries to jam the puck past Marty on a mini-breakaway. Marty stops him cold. Meanwhile, Tyler Myers limps over to the bench after taking a shot off the foot in the Islanders end of the rink. It must have just been a stinger, as Myers is back out for his next shift.

- Oh eff me. I just read that Sandra Lee is looking forward to bringing great garnishes to the Governor’s mansion in 2010 once her sweet baboo wins election. As if NY isn’t in enough of a mess as it is, we now have to worry about her Semi-Ho’ing her way through Albany.

- Vanek feeds an absolutely gorgeous pass to a wide open Stafford, who then sadly misses the wide open net.

- Can we please stop with the live action Cellino & Barnes pop-up ads already?

- As Harry Neale is rattling off Enroth’s stats from Portland, the camera pans to the young Swede sitting on the bench. Maybe I’m just used to the jolly Lalime or the cranky Miller sitting on the bench, but Enroth looks like an overgrown five year old in full goalie gear.

- Witt is sent to the penalty box for hitting Grier from behind, sending Grier face first into the glass. Grier takes quite a long time to get up, collect his gear that went flying and make it to the bench. Even so, he doesn’t look like all his eggs are unbroken in the basket, if you know what I mean.Vanek manages to score on this power play, as he pokes the puck past Marty, who’s diving in the opposite direction.2-0, Sabres.

- That may be Vanek’s fifth goal of the year, but why does it seem like it’s his first? It feels like its been awhile since he last lit the lamp.

- Marty heads all the way out to the face off circle to stop the puck and gets badly, badly caught out of the net. The Sabres aren’t able to put the puck into the empty net. Though they sure did try hard.

Random Sesame Street YouTube to end the second period…

Third Period

- Roy is 8-0 on face offs tonight. I’d like to see that kind of consistency from him throughout the remainder of the season. It would be nice to have a second face off guru besides Gaustad (and his young padawan, Kennedy).

- Vanek gets a breakaway on Marty, but he gets slashed from behind and isn’t able to complete a solid shot, as he only has one hand on the stick. He does at least get an Academy Award nomination for trying to sell the slash to the refs (they didn’t think much of it).

- You can tell how exciting this third period is by how much I have to say about it. The Sabres have had several good chances, but Marty appears to have found his game again.

- A play is under review as the puck is in the net thanks to Gaustad’s stubbornness well before the whistle blows. The ref is taking his sweet time on the phone, which makes me wonder if he’s talking to the home office or ordering a pizza for after the game. It’s ruled a goal after the ridiculously long review, so HONHONKHONK for the Goose. 3-0, Sabres.

- Have I mentioned how much I love the Goooooooooooooooose chant after he scores a goal or whomps on someone?

- Who developed the schedule this year? The Sabres have already played 3 of their 4 games against the Islanders and by the end of the month they will have played 3 of 4 against the Flyers. Also, who is the genius that decided that the game on the day after Thanksgiving should be played at 1pm in the afternoon?

- The final 15 seconds feature Kaleta being a pest and half the Islanders on the ice chasing him around.

- RJ and Harry are getting slightly loopy and referring to the runway portion of the Catwalk for Charity as “walking the plank.” RJ informs us all that he would like to be referred to as a buccaneer and not a pirate or a privateer.

- The game is over, so I can say it now….SHUTOUT! I love when Miller gets a shutout. It’s such a confidence booster.

- Random YouTube for the end of the game…

Miller on Gomez

So this morning’s Buffalo News features an article where Ryan Miller and his teammates discuss the increase in goalie interference this season. In short form, there’s more interference, and most of the non-calls are a load of crap that should be called. However, this quote from Miller on what happened last season with Scott Gomez is priceless.

“I don’t have Scott Gomez’s picture up at my house, staring at it while I eat dinner, working up enough psychotic energy to go slash him in the throat. That’s not the case.”

Thank you, Ryan, for that amazing mental image. It’s not like you have Gomez locked away somewhere telling him to put the lotion on the skin or he gets the hose again.

After the drama that was the Bills game yesterday, isn’t it nice to have a hockey player bring a little bit of comedy into our lives?

Sabres v. Red Wings

First Period

- I’m happy this is a Doc-called game on Versus, although the HD picture is nowhere near as clear as the MSG HD feed

- I’m hoping that Roy-Z doesn’t try so hard to impress Yzerman and Babcock tonight that he forgets that he’s wearing the crossed swords and buffalo on his chest tonight and not the maple leaf

- Why is Doc re-hashing the final minute-and-a-half of Game 7 of the Cup Finals? Detroit lost, Pittsburgh won, let’s all move along now. But on a related note, how awful has it been to be a Detroit sports fan this year? The Tigers lost a 7-game division lead and lost in the play-in game, the Lions went 0-16, Michigan college football was a joke, and the Red Wings lost in Game 7. And that’s on top of all of the problems Detroit itself is facing (unemployment, decaying buildings, high unsolved murder rate, low high school graduation rate, etc).

- Breaking news: Tyler Myers is tall. I’m not sure if any of you are aware of that.

- Whoo! Stafford sweeps one past Osgood to make it 1-0, Sabres. It’s a power play goal.

- Boo. The Red Wings score on their power play and we’re now tied at one.

- Doc explains that if a goal is scored on the power play, that it does not count towards a player’s plus/minus stats. I did not know that. That’s my new fact of the day.

- I think we need to send the Versus crew one of twoeightnine’s Kaleta Collision shirts. After a tough Kronwall/Kaleta hit, the crew remarked they didn’t know that collision began with a K.

- I’m knitting while writing this post and I’m impressed that I managed to get all my dropped stitches back on the needle. Let that be a warning to always make sure your needles are in the up position when you set them aside.

- Toronto’s already had a bag skate this season? Is that some kind of record?

Second Period

- There’s a big kerfluffle in front of the net, and the play goes to review just to make sure the puck didn’t cross the goal line (as it was ruled on the ice). How the heck you can tell it went in or out through the mess of skates and pads and legs and whatevers, I do not know. I don’t envy the job of the goal judge, that’s for sure. (And Doc, don’t ever debate a Buffalonian about Brett Hull’s foot being in the crease. It’s like starting a land war in Asia or going up against a Sicilian when death is on the line. It won’t end well for you.)

- I get the 83rd degree when I cross the border to go to IKEA, but a gentleman takes an 8-foot tall woodcarving of a football hall of famer across the border with no questions at all? That’s a giant WTF, for sure.

- Did Doc just call someone currently on the ice Paetsch, or am I hearing things?

- Hee! The fans are already chanting Os-good! Os-good! I do so love a good goalie heckle. It’s one of my favorite things about hockey.

- Roy misses a shot and Vanek catches the rebound as he’s heading towards the net (and falls down immediately after he shoots the puck). 5-1, Sabres.

- Osgood gets pulled and Vanek heads to the dressing room. Maybe Vanek just lost an edge (hopefully).

- Kaleta already has a goal tonight. Would it be too much to ask if Kennedy were to get a goal in front of the hometown fans as well?

- Filppula gets a penalty shot as Myers makes his first real mistake and trips up Filppula on a breakaway. And Miller stones him cold. That was an eff this shizzle move if I ever saw one.

- Kaleta scores while I am looking my friend’s wedding photos on Facebook. On the replay, I’m shocked at the rush that Myers has as he stormed towards the net. 2-1, Sabres.

- Maybe I should spend more time on Facebook during a game, as Vanek gets in on a break, holds up, flings it towards the net and gets a lucky deflection off a Detroit defender. 3-1, Sabres.

- Awww, Versus pays tribute to RJ by showing the May-Day footage. That is such an awesome call and a reminder of how in the moment RJ gets.

- Doc’s rambling away about the Sabres ability to control puck possession and take shots when C-Mac just strolls calmly in front of Osgood and backhands the puck past the Detroit goalie. 4-1, Sabres.

- Second fun fact of the day: Lydman and Montador are a reunited defense pairing. They were a tandem when they played for the Flames back in the day.

- The crew shares a conversation that they had with Miller, that he wants to not just be a good goaltender, but wants to be an elite goaltender. He wants his name to come up in consideration for the Vezina. He’s pushing himself to be better, and if his teammates give him proper support, I think he can be better.

- When the buzzer sounds, the crowd rises and gives the team a standing ovation. That’s nice to see. Especially since at the last live sports event in Buffalo, the players were greeted with boos.

Third Period

- Vanek will not return for the third period, as he has some sort of upper body injury. With the game standing the way it is, there’s really no need to drill a blowhole or duct tape something so he can get back out there. Let him have a nice soak in the hot tub or a good massage. The next game is Friday night, so he’ll have a couple days to sit with the boo boo bunny without cause for concern.

- HONK! HONK! HONK! Gaustad connected on a Kaleta shot to make it 6-1, Sabres.

- Can we make a list of banned topics for national Sabres games? No Goal, Drury, Briere, Game 7 in Carolina, the amazingly dropping defense, The System…

- I kind of wish this was an MSG game, since you know the postgame interviews will be enthusiastic with the potential to be highly entertaining.

- A shot gets past Miller, as the puck hits both Holmstrom and Zetterberg before crossing the goal line. 6-2, Buffalo.

- So Lindy changed up his practice methods to include drills with pucks and less shots, but more realistic situations for the goalies? Interesting. If it’s creating more realistic goal situations and leading towards what we’ve seen on the ice so far this season, then it looks to be a change for the better.

- Drink! We just hit the Ryan Miller Versus Trifecta, as Michigan State, the family legacy and the Hobey Baker were all mentioned within seconds of each other.

- It’s amazing how my neighbor’s arrival home from work every night sounds like a wild rumpus is breaking out in the driveway next door. I don’t understand how so much noise is made.

- So that was a fun game to watch. Let’s do this again sometime.

Its Gone

- Ryan Miller’s blog is gone. Sadness ensues from those of us that enjoyed reading his cranky, yet fun, outlook on life. Although, now that the blog is no longer in existence, that means the most recent thing on his site is from November of last year. You may want to have your people get on that, Mr. Miller.

- When I read that the Sabres were blessed by their official team chaplain today, two thoughts ran through my head:

1. They *have* a team chaplain? Bless me father for I have sinned, indeed.

2. A Jesuit is probably the only one that could drink a hockey player under the table. (And note to Sabres.com, the abbreviation for Jesuit is SJ, not JS.)

- The ESPN video of Komisarek and Friends working out is much more palatable than the photo of naked Chara.

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.

Make ‘Em Laugh

- Check out this Goose photo on NHLoL. The Marty Brodeur ones are pretty good as well.

- Whose bright idea was it to make the Team USA hockey players look like junior serial killers? I mean, we know it was Kane in the cab with the ice pick, but Miller looks like he’s going to be ready to use that ice pick on the first little punk that only gives forth 40 minutes worth of effort in a 60 minute game.

Although, does the fact that Miller is included mean he’s more of a lock to be the starting goalie over TimTom? Or  is it that Miller just looks more menacing that TimTom?

- Lindy just threw the gauntlet down at Tallinder (which means Tallinder flubbed the catch, tripped, broke his foot and will be out for three weeks). If “Uncle Fluffy” Tallinder shows up to camp or the preseason games, I really think he’ll sit. If “NHL Caliber” Tallinder shows up, then I don’t know who sits.

- I know it’s only the first practice, but it will be nice to see the players on the ice again and who’s ready to play. With Lindy saying that there will be more scrimmages, it should be easier to keep track of what’s going on as opposed to when practice is mainly drills.

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