No words

So I realize that I have fallen off the face of the earth, blog-wise. Work and home life has been utterly insane. Because of the combination of those two disasters I haven't been able to take notes on the games. I've seen all of them, just not had time to document them. Yes, I know this disappoints all 1 of you readers out there :)

However, an emergency has arisen that I cannot, and will not NOT write about.

We all know [I still refuse to even say the words] what is going on with our #1. And now our #2 is sick with the flu. Good God, someone get him some Pedialyte, cuz we've got all sirens blaring for help right now.

I mean, do you all realize that means Enroth would start- which could be a pleasant surprise [highly unlikely, and of course minus the mono]... but that's not the biggest issue here. The biggest issue is who would back up our 3rd-stringer. Well, our 4th AND 5th stringers are hurt*... so I don't know what that means other than I hope that our Website producer owns some goalie equipment.

How would you like to be Portland though? You all of the sudden have to call up 2 random dudes that have never played for you before in their lives... I mean Kellen Briggs splits time in the ECHL and Rob Lemelin is a backup on some EPHL team. Oh Gawd...

*Taken from Sabres.com:

Adam Dennis has split time with Enroth this season, but has been out of the lineup since December with a hip injury. His replacement, John DeCaro - recalled from the ECHL’s Las Vegas Wranglers -suffered a broken collarbone in a game last weekend.

Versus? NOOOOO...

Tonight's game is on Versus. Have I said how much I hate listening to Joe Beninati, Darren Eliot, Dave Strader, Andy Brickley, and Eddie Olczyk? And the post-game hasn't been the same since Brian Engblom cut his mullet.

And don't even get me started on Christine Simpson. Good Lord, can that lady ask a question without giggling? She seriously annoys me more than the stupid NFL woman 'sideline reporters.' At least we all know the only reason they're there is for the guys to look at. Versus actually pretends they hired Simpson because of her great knowledge of all things hockey. *insert eye-roll here*

The only one of the bunch I actually like is Doc Emrick. He is super knowledgable and actually sounds like he knows what he's talking about. He even, imagine this, talks about the game while it's happening. Not what he ate for lunch. Oh, and I suppose you can put Bob Harwood in the small group that I like. He knows what's going on too, and I like when he's working with TSN and him and Rayzor play fight in the box between the benches. That's fun too. But he's a reporter, not a play-by-play or color guy. So he almost doesn't count.

I was looking around the Vs. website trying to find out who was doing the game tonight [I never found it, btw] and came across an article written by Adrian Dater who covers the NHL for the Denver Post. It was basically about how the Sabres have been playing lately and titled, "As Usual, Sabres Will Fight Back." The piece was ok, but the last sentence really struck me:

Adversity always seems to be visiting Ruff and the Sabres, and seemingly the people of Buffalo as well. But they're always still there, fighting back.

I really take that as a compliment. I hope that proves true this year. We really need to get all our ducks in a row and put out a good, hard-fought game tonight. Last time we played the Leafs we steamrolled them 5-0. And it's the same goalie, I believe, that we're facing tonight as well. But this would be a typical game to come out and lay an egg, so we'll see which of the 2 teams show up tonight. The one that could score 10 goals on any goalie, any time, or the one that forgets how to make passes and those simple plays.

I hope the former...

Didn't miss much...

So I had to work last night, and then went to my niece's 4th birthday party... needless to say I didn't catch the game. The last game I missed was the night we lost in the playoffs to Carolina in '06, so I was upset at first that I couldn't see this one. Until I saw the recap on NHL Network and read all your posts. Then I was suddenly filled with joy that I didn't have to witness such a disappointing attempt at playing a professional sport.

On a more entertaining note, Michel Therrien was fired.

On an even more entertaining note, Atlanta massacred Anaheim last night 8-4. I watched the highlights and they were fantastic. Any time a top-notch [yes, that can be debated since the passing of his father] goalie is driven from the net by the 2nd to worst team in the league [although the Islanders don't count, my dog plays better than them] that is a GOOD day in my book. At 1 point, Atl was up 6-1. Sweet Jesus.

A night for the books

"Tonight's game was more about the community." -Jason Pominville

We needed this. The Team needed this. The City needed this. The Community needed this.

For 2.5hrs we could try to forget about our pain and come together to find some comfort in being together and overcoming. Even if just for a few hours. So for that, I thank you Sabres. Thank you. For that little bit of time some of us were able to try to return to normalcy. It will take a long time. But we're strong and we're tough and we'll make it through this, together. That's why I feel this game was so much more than a hockey game.

-The moment of silence in the beginning was very powerful. I doubt it's ever been that quite, and hopefully it will never have to be again.

-It was crazy how on fire we came out of the gate. It's truly like they were playing for something else, something bigger.

-When I found out Paille was going to play I was hoping like hell he'd play his ass off, and he didn't disappoint.

-RJ, Neale, and Rayzor were in fine form tonight. They were full of one-liners. I love it.

-I totally thought Stafford scored that goal, but it went over the net. It was such a sweet play though! Man, he's playing wicked hockey right now...

-On San Jose's 3rd goal, Lydman gave up too fast. He was all over Boyle and then let up, and what do you know? Back of the net.

-That high stick penalty on Rivet was total BS. Thorton's own guy hit him! And I found it funny that he was pointing to the inside of his lip, saying it was bleeding and the ref totally rolled his eyes. That was awesome.

-How did 3 of our guys miss their checks on Pavelski's goal? Terrible.

OMG. Did you guys see how excited Rivet was when he scored? The entire building erupted!! The team went totally crazy. And I've never seen a bigger smile plastered on that guy's face. It was incredible. Take a look at his face in this pic. It seriously felt like... something. I can't even explain what. How much do you think that goal meant to him [even though he didn't end up scoring it, it went to Pommers]? This was his old team that dropped [traded] him this summer. The emotions were off the Richter scale. That combined with what he said early to the media about what he hoped this game could accomplish, how it wasn't about them. He wanted to give something and help somehow, and this is the only way he knows.

Several people commented on how after that tying goal with 3.9 seconds left it was the loudest the building has been since the playoffs- how it seemed like it was sort of a release for everyone, players included. And Ruff's response? "We needed a fairy tale ending." He said, "we needed to give the city something positive."

Kevin Sylvester's response- "Is there any question why the city loves that man? He knows the game meant little."

Ouch

I don't know how many of you have actually seen Tim Kennedy after the 'incident.' This isn't a great view, but you can totally get the point, and feel the pain. Even listening to him talk about it makes me want to kill myself. I have a dentist appointment on Friday, and I'm not even nervous cuz it can't possibly be a millionth of what this kid has had done...

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. Minus the Good.

What is it with these guys? It's like they can't win a game against Ottawa. Hey guys, Ottawa is one of the worst teams in the league. Check it out, I'm not lying. The night can be summed up in 1 word: uninspired. Both this game and last [until the 3rd]. Ottawa is one of our biggest rivals, if they can't get pumped up for this, then what will it take? It's like they freak themselves out or something. No, I wouldn't even say that. Because they're not playing skittish, scared hockey. They're playing like they're ahead 5 goals and protecting the lead.

Some notes from tonight:

-I had no idea Gerbe could hit like that. Whoa dude, did you forget that you're 5'5"? Hey, I'm not complaining. If only the rest of the team would play like that.

-Why does Butler look like a goober with a helmet on? I'm not trying to insult him, but take a look:

-I love when RJ says things like, "So-and-so failed to get good wood on it."

-Ruutu is a freaking bum. I mean, this is no news flash. But the goal Donovan scored should have never counted. Ruutu was in Miller's grill [which isn't illegal, just really, really annoying], but he totally butt-bumped him. It was weak, but it was there. We can't expect EVERY goal to be taken back, but this one should have been.

-Dear JESUS! Ryan Miller, what the heck was that goal you just let in? I realize that you can't be the best player on the ice every night, but you also can't be letting in goals like that. Not that your team even feels like helping you out at all tonight...

-So this whole cross-checking thing is very annoying to me. On the PP, if the team with the man-advantage is in the crease [ala Vanek, Goose, Staf], he can be expected to be cross-checked at least a half bazilion times. But when the team with the advantage does it back, there is a penalty called? I hate how that happens. Tonight wasn't the first time either. That just bugs the crap out of me.

-Foligno is a dirtbag. I said it earlier in the game- he always takes the cheap shots after the play when no one is looking and I can't stand that. But really, running Miller like that? Ok, so on second look it seems like he didn't quite know his location on the ice and turned around and was like, bam 'whoa I'm right in the crease already, where did that come from?' But that is no excuse. And I'm glad Butler stepped in and pushed him. Personally, I would have punched him in the face. For me, it would have been worth the 2 game suspension. That's just me though...

-Three words: One-for-Twelve

Sidenote: Why on earth was Yo-Yo wearing an "A"?

Ottawa, oh how I loathe [love] thee...

So. Question of the day... Who will be in the lineup tonight against Ottawa?

Let me remind you of what happened the last time we played them [like you need any reminding].

Or the time before that.

Man do I love me an Ottawa game. Wait, what...? So back to the original question. Who do you dress? Do you want Peters in the lineup? If so, who are you going to sit? Paille was already out, so we'd need another body in the press box alongside Man Child [thanks MJ]. Patches? Not with the way he's been playing lately. MacArthur? Maybe. Despite the fact that he's 5th in goals and 7th in assists he's not been producing a whole lot as of late. Hecht? Perhaps. Who really missed him being out injured? [Hey, I was very supportive of Hecht when he was kicking ass, but what has been his issue this year? I feel bad for him cuz I really like him and want him to do well... but... just not happening]. My vote is for MacArthur. Last time Lindy benched him, he came back and played a thousand times better.

I guess we'll find out in another hour!!